Tech knowledge essential for comprehensive development, says H.K. Patil

Technical knowledge exchange is essential for the comprehensive development of animal husbandry and animal welfare, said H.K. Patil, Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Tourism, and district in-charge Minister of Gadag.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Belagavi division-level technical conference on animal husbandry and animal welfare for 2025–26, held at Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Gram Gangotri) in Nagavi, near Gadag, on February 21.

The conference was jointly organised by the Gadag District Panchayat, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (Bengaluru), Karnataka Veterinary Association (Gadag), and Humane World for Animals India Foundation.

Dr. Patil said the animal husbandry sector forms the backbone of the rural economy, and farmers’ income can be enhanced by adopting scientific methods, modern technology, and animal welfare practices.

He said that while dairy farming had flourished in regions such as Kolar and Mandya and in neighbouring Maharashtra, growth in North Karnataka was comparatively slow, and stressed the need to examine the reasons.

“Insufficient focus on animal husbandry has affected rural wealth creation. Modern dairy farming and technology-driven practices can significantly improve farmers’ economic conditions,” he said, suggesting that officials submit necessary proposals and assuring that viable measures would be considered in the next Budget.

S.V. Sankanur, MLC, said that substantial funds are being provided by the Union government and State government for research, and these must be effectively utilised. He emphasised that the conference should promote practical implementation of scientific knowledge in dairy, sheep, and poultry farming.

The conference featured technical sessions and discussions on innovative animal health management practices. Senior officials H. Nagaraj, H.B. Hulagannavar, R.Y. Gurikar, Bahubali Jain, and others were present.