INTRODUCTION:

          The newly formed Chhattisgarh state has an agro tropical area of approximately 1350 thousand square km and been divided into three main revenue divisions broadly & subdivided into 16 revenue districts with 96 tahsil & 19720 inhabitiated villages. State having total 2.08 Crore population with 34.46% of tribal population inhabitiated villages. The state has about 12818099 animal population out of which 8271323 are cattle, 1836542 are buffaloes & rest 27110234 are other animals which includes sheep Goat, Horse & other species. State has about 5724165 total bird populations.

          The department of Animal Husbandry working under the guidance of Agriculture Production Commissioner & Principal Secretary (A.H.) has the following set up.

1.                 At Directorate Level: At Directorate level for Administrative, technical, official work department has the post of Director, Joint Director, Deputy Directors, Deputy Milk Commissioner, Veterinary Assistant Surgeons & Statistical officers & other ministerial Staffs.

2.                  At Division / District Level: At division level we have 3 Joint Director and at District 13 Deputy Director and their Field Staff.

Major activities of this department can be broadly classified under the following heads:

            1.                     Veterinary health coverage

            2.                     Improved breeding procedure in animals & birds.

            3.                     Preservation & Development of Indigenous animal populations.

            4.                     Opportunities for employment to the weaker section of the society

For covering these entire activities department has following institutions.

            1.    Veterinary Hospitals                     -      208
            2.    Veterinary Dispensaries                 -     703
            3.    Disease investigation Laboratory-          07
            4.    Motor Cycle unit                       -          20
            5.    Ambulatory Clinic                     -          18
            6.    Rhinderpest Eradication Unit      -         05
            7.    Animal Check Post                     -        08
            8.    Quarantine unit                            -        01
            9.    AVFO Training Center                -        02
            10.   Dairy Technology College           -        01
            11.   College of Vety. Science &A.H. -         01

            Under the major activities of the year 03-04 the department has carried out 1659912 treatments, 1730634 Medicine Supply and 362054 Castration, 7117242 Vaccination and about 10194 awareness camps in all over the state. Beside this Department of Animal husbandary solemnly dedicated to the weaker section of the Society are running various schemes. Distribution of Poultry Units and distribution of pigs and goat units on exchange basis are presently aimed to benefit those belonging to backward community of the state. Under its total plan outlay of 1540.17 lakh in year 2003-04 the department has distributed 2942 backyard poultry units, 149 male Pigs & 84 pig trios on exchange basis & 364 male Bucks in different plans. Presently as plan outlay is increased to 1660.00 lakh and with more availability of funds due to change of some heads from plan to non plan, the department is planning to distribute 20000 backyard poultry units, 4000 male pigs & 4000 Pig trios and 3000 male bucks to different S/C & S/T beneficiaries. Under two new plan department has planned to distribute 500 Bulls to Gram Panchayat on 100% Subsidy and 7000 units of Fodder trees root cuts to the beneficiaries.

              As the Feather of the cap this department has an esteemed Cattle & Buffalo Project under the Central Sector Scheme. This Project has a funding of Rs 274 Lakhs.

              As Chattisgarh state is deprived of the availability of milk Vis-per capita availability of milk is hardly 103gm/head as against Indian average of 220 gm, to meet out the deference newly formed state has got 5 Integrated Dairy Project under1005 center assistance in the tribal district of state vis- Raigarh, Ambikapur, Jashpur, Korea & Kabirdham under MMPO.

              Paddy is the main crop of the state and animals survive on paddy straw for 7 to8 months in a year. It contains 1-1.5% of oxalic acid, which is detrimental to health. Hence a major campaign has been launched for enrichment of paddy straw. As sum of Rs 1.00 crore was sanctioned by Govt. Of India, out o0f which 20000 farmers are being trained for the same.

              This year the department has conducted Cattle Census within the stipulated time& was first to submit census report to Govt. of India.

              A prestigious work of public health importance is being aided under the Umbrella of Systematic control of Animal Diseases of National Importance. Under this Scheme Department has received sanction of Rs.275 Lakh from the central government under 75-25 funding basis.

             Department is also providing technical guidance & assistance to Forgain aided project DANIDA , co- operative sector Raipur Dugdh Sangh and many private Dairy /poultry farms. Also providing necessary assistance to charitable trust in Goshalas in the state.

              Newly formed state has constituted Veterinary Council with the aim to provide standard Veterinary Practice in technical as well as infrastructure development.

              With all these new and old activities department of Animal Husbandry is dedicated to work for the benefit of animals and farmers related to animal Husbandry.