Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 18 October 2025
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development, PRIs & ULBs, has inaugurated the Pashu Sakhi training programme aimed at empowering rural women with essential animal husbandry skills. The initiative seeks to strengthen livestock management practices and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities across remote villages of the Islands.
Addressing the inaugural session, Mr. Apurva Sharma, Director (Rural Development), and Dr. K.A. Naveen, Director (AH&VS), urged participants to approach the six-week training with dedication and enthusiasm. They emphasized that the programme has the potential to bring about meaningful change in the lives of rural women by equipping them with practical knowledge to assist livestock farmers effectively and enhance community-based animal health care.
Officials from Block Development Offices and Senior Veterinary Officers from North & Middle Andaman, South Andaman, and Nicobar District participated in the event, with several joining virtually to ensure comprehensive representation across the Islands.
During the session, Ms. Reshma from the Rural Development Department and Dr. Subramaniam, Senior Veterinary Officer, outlined the objectives of the Government of India–sponsored scheme. They highlighted that the Pashu Sakhi programme focuses on achieving financial independence and empowerment of rural women through hands-on training in animal care and management, paving the way for sustainable rural development.
