Udaipur: The 11th National Conference of the Veterinary Extension Society began at the RCA Auditorium, organised by the College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, with participation from veterinary extension experts, teachers, researchers and students from across the country.

The theme of the conference is “Restructuring Veterinary Extension Services to Address Emerging Challenges in the Livestock Sector.” The conference aims to explore ways to make veterinary extension services more effective, responsive and aligned with the changing needs of livestock farmers.

The inaugural session was attended by Dr. K.C. Veeranna, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, as the chief guest. Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, former Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), was the guest of honour. The session was presided over by Dr. Sumant Vyas, Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner.

Prof. (Dr.) Shiv Sharma, Dean of the Veterinary College and Chairman of the Organising Committee, welcomed the guests, experts and participants. He said that amid rapid changes in the veterinary and livestock sectors, veterinary extension plays a crucial role in ensuring that livestock farmers receive accurate information and have effective access to new technologies.

Organising Secretary Dr. Tikam Goyal presented an overview of the conference and welcomed the guests and participants on behalf of Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and the Navania college. He outlined the objectives, key themes and technical sessions planned during the conference.

Chief Guest Dr. K.C. Veeranna congratulated the College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, for hosting the conference. He said veterinary extension education is not limited to transferring scientific knowledge to livestock farmers but is also an important mechanism for establishing effective communication among scientists, veterinarians, farmers and society.

He emphasised the need to promote the use of digital technology, innovation and modern communication platforms to strengthen veterinary extension services in the changing environment.

Presiding over the programme, Dr. Sumant Vyas congratulated the Veterinary Extension Society on organising its 11th national conference and highlighted the importance of extension services in livestock development. He said extension education must be continuously redefined and reorganised in line with the changing needs of society and livestock farmers.

Dr. Vyas stressed the need to work towards developing a national framework for veterinary extension so that the outcomes of extension activities can be scientifically and effectively evaluated. He described the initiatives undertaken by the society in the field of veterinary extension as significant and commendable.

Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, former Deputy Director General, ICAR, explained the importance of extension and said its role is to identify aspects that may not be immediately visible, particularly by understanding the actual problems, behaviour, needs and local conditions of livestock farmers and developing solutions accordingly.

He said a good veterinarian should possess additional skills such as keen observation, effective presentation, strong communication and the ability to act as a good facilitator and observer. An extension specialist, he added, should not merely disseminate information but should serve as an effective agent of change.

Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, President of the Veterinary Extension Society, presented an overview of the society’s activities, achievements and initiatives in the field of veterinary extension. He outlined the society’s future plans to strengthen extension education, create greater opportunities for young professionals and students, and make extension activities more effective across the country.

Society General Secretary Dr. K. Nachimuthu presented the annual report, highlighting the organisation’s activities, achievements and future action plan.

During the programme, the guests also released the conference proceedings and the society’s new logo.

On the first day, technical sessions were held on various contemporary issues related to veterinary extension education. Experts and scientists from different parts of the country shared their experiences, research findings and perspectives on strengthening extension services.

Around 200 veterinary professionals, experts and students participated in the conference.