Mysuru: A shortage of veterinarians and support staff is placing increasing pressure on livestock healthcare services across Mysuru district, raising concerns among farmers and animal husbandry officials. With a livestock population of nearly 9.5 lakh and only 112 veterinarians in service against 139 sanctioned posts, the district is struggling to meet the growing demand for animal healthcare, treatment and disease monitoring.
Farmers and livestock owners have expressed concern over delays in veterinary services, stating that the shortage of personnel is affecting timely treatment and preventive healthcare programmes. They have urged the government to fill vacant positions and strengthen veterinary infrastructure to ensure better care for animals and support rural livelihoods.
Staff shortage affects veterinary services
Mysuru district has a network of 205 veterinary hospitals and clinics spread across its nine taluks. According to established norms, one veterinarian should ideally cater to around 5,000 livestock.
However, the shortage of veterinary professionals has significantly increased the workload on existing staff. Of the 139 sanctioned veterinarian posts in the district, only 112 are currently filled, including 10 veterinarians appointed on an outsourcing basis. This leaves a shortfall of 27 veterinarians.
Officials and farmers said the shortage has made it difficult to provide timely services, particularly in remote areas where access to veterinary care is already limited.
Nearly 9.5 lakh livestock depend on services
According to the latest livestock census, Mysuru district has a livestock population of 9,33,298 animals. This includes 4,92,589 cattle, 21,682 buffaloes, 2,03,643 sheep and 2,08,206 goats.
The large livestock population has increased the demand for veterinary services ranging from routine health check-ups and vaccinations to emergency treatments and disease surveillance.
Experts emphasise that adequate veterinary staffing is crucial not only for animal welfare but also for sustaining dairy farming and livestock-based livelihoods that support thousands of rural families.
Shortage extends to support staff
The staffing crisis is not limited to veterinarians alone. The district is also facing a shortage of 168 D Group employees, including veterinary inspectors, technical staff, attenders and drivers.
Officials noted that driver positions in the veterinary department have remained vacant for several years, creating additional operational challenges for field visits and emergency response activities.
The shortage of support personnel has further increased the burden on existing employees, affecting the efficiency of service delivery across the district.
Department managing with existing resources
Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Dr C Nagaraju said the department is continuing to provide services by optimising available manpower and utilising outsourced staff.
According to him, veterinary services have continued without major disruptions despite the shortage. He pointed out that the department successfully conducted vaccination drives against diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease, helping protect livestock across the district.
Officials said efforts are being made to ensure that farmers receive necessary veterinary assistance while making the best use of available resources.
Farmers seek urgent recruitment
Farmer organisations have called on the government to address the staffing shortage without delay. Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene Vice-President Kiragasur Shankar urged authorities to undertake recruitment of veterinarians and support staff on a priority basis.
He stressed that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for many rural families and that dairy farming is closely linked to agricultural sustainability. Ensuring adequate veterinary care, he said, is essential for maintaining livestock productivity and protecting farmers’ incomes.
With livestock playing a critical role in the rural economy, stakeholders believe filling vacant posts and strengthening veterinary infrastructure will be crucial for improving animal healthcare services and supporting the farming community in Mysuru district.