Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

About
An independent University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences has been established w.e.f. 1.12.2010 in pursuance of the Haryana Act No. 7 of 2010 notified on 7th April, 2010. The new University has been named in the cherished memory of Lala Lajpat Rai, a great patriot, the foremost freedom fighter, an ardent social reformer and a versatile writer. Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as “Punjab Kesri”, did his early legal practice at Hisar and also served as a Member and Secretary of the Hisar Municipality. The College of Veterinary Sciences and the College of Animal Sciences, earlier the constituent colleges of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar has now been incorporated in this newly established University. The college of Animal Sciences is merged into College of Veterinary Sciences. The College has a glorious history of more than 60 years, since it was shifted to Hisar from Lahore (Pakistan). It is backed by an enviable tract record of academic excellence, cutting edge research and rendering quality services to the livestock of the state. An extensive network of alumni occupying important positions throughout the world is a source of inspiration, enthusiasm and commitment to hard work for the faculty and students.

Animal rearing has been life line of “Haryanvi” culture since time immemorial. The State has an important place in the dairying map of India. The state’s rich livestock wealth is mainly represented by the Murrah buffalo, a triple purpose animal, popularly known as the “Black Gold” of India in addition to the famous breeds of cattle including Hariana and Sahiwal. The superior quality of livestock is evident from the fact that with just 2.5% of the country’s bovine population, Haryana contributes more than 5.5% of milk to the national pool. The per capita availability of milk in the state is almost 2½ times of the national average. The contribution of livestock sector to agricultural GDP of the state exceeds 30% and livestock continues to be a sustainable source of livelihood and the only asset for millions of the rural families.

In spite of the impressive contribution and growth, the sector has not kept pace with increasing human population, urbanization, rising income levels and the heavy demand of the National Capital territory being next door. The gap between supply and demand of milk and its products is expected to widen further unless urgent measures are undertaken to harvest the full potential of this giant sector by significantly improving the productivity of our animals. At present, our per animal productivity stands nowhere as compared to international standards. The sector is rightly referred to as “the sleeping giant” or a “hidden treasure”. The poor performance of the sector, in spite of its huge size and rich resources, could be broadly attributed among other factors to :

1. Livestock sector being shadowed by crop husbandry.
2. Inadequate research and development in animal husbandry since Veterinary Colleges have been part of state agricultural universities where priority remains crop production. As a result, there have been grossly inadequate technological/ scientific interventions. Most of the farmers continue to follow age-old, out dated husbandry practices.
3. Poor share of funding leading to low emphasis on veterinary education and extension services.

It is without saying that the creation of this independent University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences would give the long awaited impetus to this sector and make an enduring contribution to social justice and equality by improving the living standards of our animal owners, most of whom belong to the under- privileged segment of the society.