In a major initiative to modernise veterinary services and improve access to animal
healthcare, the Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department on today launched 50 Mini Mobile Veterinary Units (MMVUs) across Tripura. The new units are aimed at providing prompt veterinary services, including treatment, vaccination, disease diagnosis and other animal healthcare facilities, to livestock farmers residing particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
The formal launch was held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala, where Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhanshu Das handed over the keys of the 50 newly inducted Mini Mobile Veterinary Units to their drivers. The programme was attended by Acting Sabhadhipati of West Tripura Zilla Parishad Bishwajit Shil, Director of the ARD Department Dr. Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, Additional
Director Dr. Bimal Krishna Das and other departmental officials.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the deployment of the 50 Mini Mobile
Veterinary Units was announced in the State Budget for the financial year 2024-25. The vehicles have now been allocated to various block-level offices across the state with the objective of delivering fast and easily accessible veterinary services to cattle and domestic animals in rural and difficult-to-reach areas. He said Tripura currently has 13 large Mobile Veterinary Units, but geographical challenges often prevent them from reaching many interior locations.
The newly launched mini units are expected to bridge this gap by travelling directly to the homes of livestock farmers and providing treatment and other veterinary services at their doorstep. The ARDD Minister said the department is working with three objectives – strengthening healthcare services for livestock and poultry, increasing the production of meat, milk and eggs in the state, and creating employment opportunities for unemployed youth through animal
husbandry.
Highlighting the department’s priorities, the Minister said special emphasis is being
given to preventive and curative animal healthcare. Under preventive services, free vaccination programmes are being conducted throughout the year, including the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive. Under curative services, mobile veterinary teams are being strengthened to provide home-based treatment for seriously ill large animals in addition to services available at
veterinary dispensaries, sub-centres and hospitals.
The Minister further informed that livestock farmers can avail veterinary services by calling the 1962 toll-free helpline. Upon receiving a call, veterinary doctors, ARDD personnel and animal ambulances will reach the beneficiary’s residence within 24 hours to provide treatment. The Minister also highlighted the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Prani Sampad Vikas Yojana,
under which financial assistance is being provided to thousands of families for poultry, piggery and cattle rearing to strengthen the rural economy. He added that several support programmes, including a dedicated pig farming project, have been introduced for livestock farmers in the ADC areas.
