The Union Budget 2026–27 has placed renewed emphasis on agriculture, livestock and fisheries, recognising their central role in sustaining small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods. Presented on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Budget seeks to raise farmer incomes by boosting productivity and encouraging entrepreneurship, with a notable focus on strengthening veterinary capacity across the country.
Under the proposed measures, the government aims to increase the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000 through the establishment of new veterinary and paraveterinary colleges, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and breeding facilities. These institutions are expected to be developed largely through private-sector participation, supported by a loan-linked capital subsidy scheme and collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions.
Experts believe that if implemented effectively, the expansion of veterinary infrastructure could play a significant role in reducing the misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming, a key driver of antimicrobial resistance. In many intensive farming systems, the lack of timely veterinary supervision and diagnostic support often leads farmers to rely on antibiotics as a preventive shortcut rather than addressing the underlying causes of disease.
Limited access to laboratories and delayed disease diagnosis further worsen the problem, pushing farmers towards routine or excessive antibiotic use. Improved availability of trained veterinarians on the ground could help ensure accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and better disease prevention practices, reducing unnecessary dependence on antibiotics.
These goals also align with the recently released National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0, which stresses capacity-building among professionals and paraprofessionals in animal husbandry and fisheries.
Strengthening veterinary services could also have a positive impact on backyard and rural poultry systems, which are critical for smallholder incomes and local nutrition. Studies have shown that farmers in rural areas often struggle to manage diseases such as avian influenza and Ranikhet due to limited veterinary follow-up and inadequate guidance from chick distribution centres.
Improved veterinary outreach could help farmers with vaccination, bird health management and mortality reduction, making small-scale poultry farming more sustainable. This would not only improve livelihoods but also enhance food security in rural regions.
The Budget’s focus on veterinary capacity also opens opportunities in the fisheries sector, particularly freshwater fisheries that cater mainly to domestic consumption. Unlike export-oriented brackishwater fisheries, where antibiotic use is more tightly regulated, freshwater systems often lack adequate monitoring and professional support.
Developing a dedicated cadre of fish veterinarians and strengthening their long-term capacity could help fish farmers manage disease more effectively and curb antibiotic misuse. If pursued with strong regulatory oversight and adequate implementation, the Budget’s veterinary push could become a crucial tool in addressing public health risks linked to antimicrobial resistance while promoting more sustainable farming practices.