The State government has initiated comprehensive measures to revitalise the livestock sector through large-scale free animal health camps across the State, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Kinjaraapu Atchannaidu announced on Monday.

Launching the programme at Nidamanuru village in Vijayawada Rural mandal, along with Government Whip and Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkata Rao, the Minister said the camps will be organised in every village from January 19 to 31, on the lines of the earlier Janmabhoomi initiative.

Addressing farmers and livestock rearers, Atchannaidu said the government’s key objectives are protection of animal health, enhancement of productivity, prevention of diseases and reduction of livestock rearing costs. He emphasised that livestock rearing has emerged as a major source of income for rural households and plays a vital role in strengthening the State’s economy, particularly in supporting women’s livelihoods.

Under the camps, animals will receive free veterinary treatment, preventive vaccinations, deworming medicines, diagnostic tests for reproductive disorders, and awareness programmes on scientific livestock management.

Highlighting the State’s rich animal genetic resources, the Minister noted that Ongole and Punganur cattle, Godavari buffaloes, Nellore and Macherla sheep, and Aseel poultry breeds enjoy nationwide recognition.

At present, Andhra Pradesh has 108.19 lakh cattle and buffaloes, 231.49 lakh sheep and goats (second highest in the country), and 1,078.63 lakh poultry birds, while nearly 25 lakh farming families depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood. The livestock sector contributes approximately Rs 1.67 lakh crore to the State economy, accounting for 10.26 per cent of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2024-25, he said.

In production terms, Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the country in egg production with 2,739 crore eggs, fourth in meat production with 11.30 lakh metric tonnes, and seventh in milk production with 139.40 lakh metric tonnes.

The Minister said that following the formation of the coalition government, animal health camps were conducted in 13,257 villages in 2025, benefiting 10.48 lakh animals and over 5.36 lakh livestock rearers. Building on that success, similar camps are now being organised in all villages across the State from January 19 to 31. Services include veterinary care, fertility treatment, vaccination drives, disease screening and farmer training sessions.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 58,440 Gokulam cattle sheds have been constructed with 70-90 per cent subsidy, and the government aims to build another 50,000 sheds by 2026-27.

“Despite financial constraints, the coalition government has accorded top priority to the livestock sector after returning to power,” he said, adding that steps are being taken to revive the Ongole cattle breed, fill vacant veterinary posts, and strengthen institutional infrastructure, including construction of the compound wall at NTR Veterinary University.

He further noted that veterinary services can be accessed through 104 toll-free medical services, while livestock emergency care is available via the 1962 toll-free animal ambulance service, which will reach villages promptly.