Lucknow, July 12 (Reporter) In a significant move to boost livestock development and enhance rural livelihood in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is gearing up to launch A-Help programme for the first time in the state soon. This initiative will be spearheaded by the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department. Scheduled for implementation during the financial year 2024-25, the A-Help programme run by the central government will initially cover 50 development blocks spanning 25 districts in the state. The A-Help cadre will coordinate with the government veterinary hospitals to ensure prompt delivery of the essential veterinary services, such as ethno-vet practices, preventive management of animal diseases, timely vaccinations, deworming medications, artificial insemination and animal insurance at the village level itself. The government aims to train 2,000 Pashu Sakhis as A-Help Agents during the current financial year. Over the next two years, this number is expected to increase to 10,000 agents, significantly enhancing the programme's outreach and impact. A key objective of the A-Help programme is to boost the income of Pashu Sakhis, potentially raising their annual earnings to up to Rs 60,000. The training of mission staff in the districts and development blocks covered by the programme has been completed. Additionally, training plans have been developed to equip Pashu Sakhis with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their roles. With the successful completion of training sessions, the stage is set for the roll out of the A-Help programme. This integrated approach not only improves livestock productivity and health, but also empowers rural communities with the knowledge and resources needed to maximise their economic potential from livestock rearing...////...