Lucknow, Nov 4 (Reporter) To bolster veterinary services in rural areas and expand the pool of trained para-veterinary workers, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, Chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved a policy on Monday to introduce diploma and certificate courses in animal husbandry and para-veterinary medicine. The new policy enables both private and government institutions in the state to offer animal husbandry diploma and certificate courses, aiming to equip para-vets with essential training and skills. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the quality of veterinary care in rural areas, where access to trained veterinary personnel is crucial. UP Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh said that the state government is focusing on strengthening para-vet training in rural areas to compensate for the limited number of veterinarians. Highlighting the shortage, he said, "Across India, there are approximately 34,500 veterinarians, while UP currently has only 8,193. In rural areas, para-vets play a vital role in supporting veterinarians with tasks like vaccinations, wound care, first aid and general animal health care." He said that to address this gap, the new policy will focus on equipping para-vets with advanced training in vital aspects of animal health services. "This initiative will support paravets in providing better healthcare to animals, ultimately giving a new direction to the field of animal husbandry in the state and empowering para-vets with essential skills and professional development," he said. Singh said that the primary institute in the field of animal husbandry in UP is Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University and Go Anusandhan Sansthan in Mathura. Besides, Acharya Narendra Dev Agriculture and Technology University in Kumarganj and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Agriculture and Technology University in Meerut are also operating veterinary colleges. These universities will now set standards for granting affiliations to private colleges, enabling them to conduct animal husbandry and para-veterinary courses. The Yogi government has set up a four-member expert committee led by the Special Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department to draft this policy. Following a detailed study, the committee has prepared a report that serves as the foundation for a comprehensive policy on para-veterinary and animal husbandry courses. This policy aims to bring consistency by standardising course content, affiliation criteria and institutional guidelines across the state. The Minister said this policy by the Yogi government extends beyond government institutions, allowing private colleges to also offer these courses. "This initiative aims to boost the number of trained para-vets in rural areas, thereby enhancing veterinary services," he said. Moreover, the state government's decision is expected to create new employment opportunities within the animal husbandry and agriculture sectors. This forward-looking move is set to strengthen the animal husbandry field and elevate the quality of veterinary care available in rural communities...////...