Gandhinagar, July 31 (NationPress) The Minister of Animal Husbandry for Gujarat, Raghavji Patel, announced on Thursday that the state has positioned itself as a pivotal force within India's dairy industry, securing the fourth position in terms of annual milk production nationwide.

Speaking at a seminar held at GNLU in Gandhinagar, Minister Patel underscored Gujarat's prominent role in dairy advancement, driven by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

He pointed out that initiatives such as mobile veterinary clinics, subsidized artificial insemination and IVF services, along with livestock insurance, have transformed rural animal healthcare.

"Milk production is closely tied to animal health," he remarked, highlighting India's significant contribution of 25 percent to global milk production.

"With enhanced veterinary infrastructure and proactive disease prevention measures like vaccination drives, Gujarat is set to achieve even greater advancements in animal husbandry," the Minister added.

The one-day technical seminar, centered on the theme 'Animal Health in a Changing World: Innovation, Disease Prevention & Welfare', also marked the inauguration of 31 new veterinary centers across 10 districts, established at an investment of Rs 19.98 crore.

In line with the National Gokul Mission, 217 MAITRI technicians trained in artificial insemination were presented with kits and certificates.

The gathering also recognized 31 outstanding veterinary students with the 'Student of the Year' accolade and disbursed Rs 40,000 in insurance claims to eligible livestock owners.

Intensive discussions on diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease were held, with regional officers and experts sharing knowledge on diagnostics, vaccinations, and preventive strategies.

The Minister unveiled the annual report of the All Gujarat Veterinarians Social Security Trust and the directory of the Gujarat Veterinary Technical Officers Association.

High-ranking officials, including Falguni Thakkar, Director of Animal Husbandry, and Kiran Vasava, Additional Director, emphasized the necessity of innovation in animal care.

Numerous delegates from NDDB, private dairy cooperatives, veterinary colleges, and research institutions participated in the event.

Minister Patel concluded by stating, "This seminar will act as a catalyst for accelerating the growth of Gujarat’s animal husbandry sector," urging collective efforts towards fostering a healthier and more resilient livestock ecosystem.