The Animal Husbandry Department, established in 1956 with a limited number of institutions and employees, has grown into one of the leading departments in Kerala. It was founded with the objective of serving humanity by providing better animal healthcare through the treatment of sick animals, the prevention and control of animal diseases, the improvement of animal production, and the promotion of veterinary public health. Additionally, the department functions as a regulatory body for the animal husbandry sector.
Over the years, the department has expanded significantly, developing a robust infrastructure to provide veterinary healthcare and other animal husbandry-related services to farmers and animal owners across the state. Kerala is the only state with veterinary clinical institutions and artificial insemination centers in every panchayat.
Various livestock and poultry farms, a biological production unit, diagnostic laboratories, and farmers’ training centers also function under this department. In addition to these services, the department implements various projects and schemes aimed at ensuring the welfare of the animal population, enhancing food safety and security in the state, and safeguarding public health. It plays a crucial role in the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases that affect humans, thereby making a significant contribution to public health.
The mission of the Animal Husbandry Department are to provide health care services to the livestock / domesticated bird population of Kerala, implement livestock breeding programs, and increasing the production of livestock and poultry products such as milk, eggs and meat.
The Objectives of the department
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Render veterinary health care.
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Strengthening the livestock and poultry population of the State in terms of number and quality.
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Increasing the production of milk, egg and meat.
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Alleviating the suffering of animals.
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Eradication and control of animal diseases.
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Effective control of zoonotic diseases.
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Effective implementation of breeding policy.
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Creating more self- employment opportunities in the Animal Husbandry sector.
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Conduct Research & Development as well as scientific studies on the problems faced by the farmers, consumers and public in relevant aspects of livestock & poultry rearing.
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Collection and analysis of data and information on the Animal Husbandry Sector of the State.
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Transfer of Technology from labs to field.
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To conserve indigenous breeds pertaining to livestock and poultry of our state.
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Human Resource Development of technical and administrative staff.
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Creation of awareness among farmers regarding scientific Animal Husbandry practices.
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To ensure food safety and food security in all animal husbandry activities.
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Production and promotion of quality fodder.
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Ensure quality of Livestock and Poultry feed.
The department’s activities are led by the Director of Animal Husbandry, supported by two Additional Directors. To coordinate district-level activities, 14 district offices operate under the direct control of the Director. The department has specialized wings for the Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP) and the State Animal Disease Control Programme (ADCP), both of which are headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram
Nineteen check posts are active in various border districts to conduct health checks on livestock entering the state from other states. The office of the Joint Director, Rinderpest Eradication Programme (RE), responsible for overseeing these check posts, is located on the Veterinary Campus in Palakkad District.
To organize training programs for farmers and department employees, 11 Livestock Management Training Institutes have been established in various districts. These institutes are managed by the Principal Training Officer of the LMTC in Kudappanakunnu.
The State Laboratory for Livestock, Marine, and Agri Products (SLMAP) in Maradu, Ernakulam, is a major initiative of the department aimed at enforcing quality control of meat and marine products exported under the Export Quality Control and Inspection Act, 1963.
5 Cattle farms, 10 Poultry farms, 3 Pig breeding centres, 3 Goat breeding units, 1 Turkey breeding centres, 1 Rabbit rearing unit, 2 Duck farms, 1 Duck Hatchery and Training Institute (D-HAT) operate under the Animal Husbandry Department across Kerala.
The Animal Husbandry Department plays a vital role in strengthening Kerala’s livestock sector through its extensive network of veterinary institutions, disease control programs, training initiatives, and breeding centres. With its dedicated infrastructure and specialized programs, the department continues to enhance animal welfare, public health, and food security across the state.