A veterinary doctor examining the goats at a remote tribal hamlet in Nilambur.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

A mobile veterinary unit launched through a multi-agency convergence model is helping tribal farmers in the remote settlements of Nilambur and Kalikavu blocks access timely treatment for their livestock.

The initiative was launched under NABARD’s TRIBES project (Tribal Resilience Initiative for Building Environmentally Sustainable Livelihoods), implemented by the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) to promote goat rearing among tribal communities.

Earlier, farmers struggled to access veterinary care due to the remote location of their settlements.

“Sometimes, farmers had to spend up to ₹3,000 just to bring a veterinary doctor to places like Ambumala hamlet,” said JSS director V. Ummer Koya.

A veterinary doctor examining the goats at a remote tribal hamlet in Nilambur.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

Delays in treatment often led to livestock deaths. In many cases, the lack of timely postmortem examinations also resulted in farmers losing insurance benefits.

The issue was raised at a village planning committee (VPC) meeting, where P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, asked the JSS to study the problem and suggest solutions.

JSS coordinated with the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) to assess the requirements. More than 50 postgraduate veterinary students conducted a field study in tribal settlements as part of a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp.

“Through convergence, we looked for a practical solution. The MP fund was used for the vehicle, the District Panchayat supported maintenance expenses, the veterinary hospital provided facilities, and the Veterinary University offered technical support,” Mr. Koya said.

The MP sanctioned ₹25 lakh from the MPLADS fund to purchase the Mobile Veterinary Unit. The district panchayat allocated ₹10 lakh from the tribal fund for recurring expenses, including medicines and driver salaries. The Veterinary department provided facilities for a satellite centre and parking, while JSS took up local coordination and organising medical camps.

The Veterinary University provides postgraduate students with veterinary services four days a week. Regular medical camps are now conducted in the remote tribal hamlets, bringing treatment closer to farmers.

“The idea was to ensure that tribal farmers do not have to depend on distant veterinary services during emergencies,” Mr. Koya said.

The mobile unit has helped reduce livestock mortality, enabled timely insurance claims and reduced the financial burden on tribal families. The convergence model is now being viewed as a possible model for similar outreach services in other remote areas.

Published – July 28, 2026 08:14 pm IST