KP launches Rs2.6bn programme to improve livestock health

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has inaugurated the Rs2.6 billion ‘Ehsaas-e-Bezaban Sehat Gaari’ programme, aimed at improving livestock health and supporting farming families across the province.

The programme is designed to make veterinary services easier to access, particularly for farmers living in remote and underserved areas where permanent animal healthcare facilities may be difficult to reach.

According to the Livestock Department, the initiative includes 145 mobile veterinary clinics and 27 mobile laboratory testing units. A total of 202 veterinary doctors and assistants will support the programme.

The mobile units will operate at the tehsil level and provide several essential services to livestock owners.

Mobile clinics to provide treatment and vaccination

The mobile veterinary clinics will provide vaccination, diagnosis, treatment and emergency care for animals.

The service is expected to help farmers deal with animal diseases at an earlier stage and reduce the need to travel long distances to reach veterinary hospitals or other facilities. Officials said the programme would focus on making modern veterinary care available closer to livestock owners, especially in areas where access to professional services remains limited.

The initiative also places emphasis on disease prevention rather than treatment alone. Early diagnosis, timely vaccination, and proper veterinary care can help farmers protect their animals and reduce losses caused by disease.

Digital system to monitor veterinary services

The mobile veterinary network will also be connected to a central digital dashboard. The system will help authorities monitor the movement and performance of mobile units and improve operational management.

Officials are expected to use the digital system for better oversight of service delivery and monitoring of activities in different areas. The move is aimed at making the programme more organised and improving coordination between field teams and the provincial livestock authorities.

Mobile labs to check milk quality

Another major part of the programme is the introduction of mobile milk-quality testing laboratories.

These laboratories will allow milk to be tested at the point of service and help authorities identify adulteration and harmful contaminants. The facility is expected to strengthen milk quality monitoring and support the early detection of problems that could affect consumers.

Milk quality is closely linked with livestock health, making testing an important part of the wider programme. The government says better monitoring can help improve food safety while also encouraging farmers to maintain healthier livestock and better production practices.

Afridi stresses easier access for farmers

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said no farmer should be deprived of quality veterinary services because of geographical distance. He said protecting livestock from disease and poor care was a shared responsibility and stressed the need for timely and modern veterinary services.

Afridi said the programme was not limited to treating sick animals. He said it would also focus on disease prevention and improving livestock productivity, which could directly support the income of farming families.

The chief minister said livestock remains an important source of income, nutrition and financial security for millions of families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that bringing veterinary services closer to farmers would reduce the difficulties faced by people who have to travel long distances for animal treatment and care.

Programme aims to support rural economy

The KP government sees livestock as an important part of the rural economy. For many families, animals provide milk, meat, breeding opportunities and a regular source of income.

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When livestock becomes sick, farmers can face financial losses because of reduced production, treatment costs or the death of animals. The new mobile service is therefore intended to provide faster access to veterinary support and help farmers protect their livestock.

Afridi also said the livestock sector was being modernised to create better income opportunities for farming families. The expansion of veterinary services, disease prevention and milk quality testing is expected to form part of that effort.

Focus on healthier livestock and safer food

The chief minister said healthier animals could contribute to higher productivity and better incomes for farmers.

“Healthy livestock will contribute to higher productivity and increased incomes for farming families,” he said.

He added that the government’s goal was to build a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where farmers are prosperous, the rural economy is strong, livestock is healthy, and people have access to safe and quality food.

The programme comes as livestock remains an important part of the province’s rural economy and food supply.

By combining mobile treatment facilities, laboratory testing, vaccination and digital monitoring, the initiative seeks to address several challenges faced by livestock owners through a single service network.