KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE Veterinary Information to Strengthen the Livestock and Dairy Sector in India: An International Consultation Robert Taylor ICAHIS Boston May 2013

Veterinary Information to Strengthen the Livestock and Dairy Sector in India: An International Consultation. November India veterinary situation 2.The purpose of the consultation 3.Why CABI was involved 4.Recommendations 5.Next steps

India Population of 1,241,491,960 Most populous by 2030 Pop. peak at 1.7 billion by ,169 villages (about 70% of population live in these villages) 43.5% of children under-weight Largest cattle population (210,384,000) Largest buffalo pop. (102,006,909) 2 nd largest goat pop. (134,636,363) 3 rd largest sheep pop. (66,541,000) In the top ten countries for duck, chicken and camel populations India

World’s largest producer of milk 2 nd largest for freshwater fish 4 th largest for chicken eggs Largest exporter of beef (buffalo beef) About 54,000 vets (about 50% US number) 60,000 paravets 8732 vet hospitals and polyclinics 17,830 veterinary dispensaries 26 veterinary biological protection institutes 25 veterinary colleges/universities

Purpose of the consultation 1. Bring together key organizations in the Indian Veterinary profession, to gain engagement in strengthening the curriculum and accessibility of information resources in practice 2. Identify key stakeholders providing veterinary services in India, and the Continuing Education needs of the profession 3. Establish the information needs of the veterinary profession in India and any gaps in current information provision 4. Identify appropriate sources of information, nationally and internationally 5. Review appropriate knowledge delivery (mobile phone, internet, etc.) 6. Identify the benefits of increasing problem solving in the Indian veterinary curriculum. 7. Agree follow up actions to the meeting and identify resources needed to strengthen veterinary professional development and support, e.g. funding requirements and potential funding sources.

The need 1. Veterinarians are important in supporting livelihoods, trade, and achieving growth objectives of the 12th 5-Year–Plan ( ). 3. India needs more veterinarians, probably more than double current numbers 4. More veterinarians are needed for the increased domestic demand for food, and export opportunities 5. Food safety and public health are key areas for greater veterinary input 6. Developments should include private sector participation 7. Need for Continuing Education for veterinarians to develop skills in business and communication 8. The profile of veterinary education and of the profession needs to be raised

Who was involved CABI DARE & ICAR Academia Research Military veterinary corps Industry (pharma; Pfizer) Production (Dairy Development boards) Profession (VCI) Trade International (OIE, WHO, FAO, ILRI, GALVmed, Univ. Edinburgh, RVC, Sidai)

The issues Insufficient veterinarians Food production not meeting demand Veterinarians need to re-purpose – dispensers of knowledge not dispensers of drugs Prevention rather than treatment Public health & food safety issues Animal welfare Better support for trade – international standards Modernize the curriculum

Breakout discussions Group 1: What changes to the curriculum are required to meet the challenges of the future? What partnerships could help achieve them? Facilitator: Prof. N. Sargison (Edinburgh Univ.) Group 2: What developments in provision of Continuing Professional Development are needed to strengthen the vet profession in India? What partnerships could help achieve them? Facilitator Dr. N. Short (RVC) Group 3: What support is needed by vets in industry and what partnerships with industry would benefit the veterinary profession? Facilitator, Yash Goyal (Pfizer) Group 4: Information provision, access and use. What are the main information needs of the vet profession in India? What partnerships could help achieve them? Facilitator, Robert Taylor (CABI) Group 5: What partnership opportunities are there between international and national organizations in support of livestock educational programmes? Facilitator Professor Gaya Prasad, ICAR

Meeting conclusions The Government of India recognises the important role of the veterinary profession in: ● achieving the agricultural production growth targets of the Twelfth Five- Year Plan; ● supporting livelihoods in the rural economy; ● improving public health, and controlling zoonotic diseases (such as rabies). Access to current international scientific knowledge is essential to strengthening the veterinary profession in India, and enabling practice to be based on evidence. The veterinary curriculum in India should be modernised to develop problem solving skills and an evidence-based approach in both teaching and learning.

Conclusions continued Continuing professional development is a vital part of raising the standards of the profession: a greater emphasis on life-long learning within the profession should be encouraged and veterinarians provided with the opportunities and the tools to achieve this. Public-private partnerships should be encouraged to maximise all available resources and capabilities in raising standards in the veterinary profession in India.

Next steps Continuing Education proposals Developing veterinarians to ensure food safety and welfare standards for trade Involve more of the food companies for their drive Further meeting in November 2013

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE Full report: dia_Vet_Report_2012_Final_G.pdf (Or CAB Abstracts Record Number ) Thank You Robert Taylor