Farmers in Huvinahadagali taluk are facing severe difficulties accessing veterinary care as a single doctor is currently managing six animal hospitals. The acute staff shortage in the Veterinary Services Department has persisted for years, leaving livestock owners struggling to treat their animals. During seasonal changes, cattle, goats, and sheep are prone to various diseases, but the absence of staff in veterinary hospitals has made medical services a mirage. Farmers have expressed anger, questioning why the government is not heeding the silent suffering of their livestock.
The taluk has 19 animal clinics, including the town veterinary hospital. While 21 veterinary officer posts are sanctioned, only eight doctors are on duty. Out of 19 posts for veterinary inspectors, only one is filled. In total, only 19 staff members are present against 84 sanctioned posts, leaving 66 positions vacant. Dr. Narayan Banakar, the Chief Veterinary Officer, is responsible for the town veterinary hospital along with five other clinics in Magal, Hirehadagali, Holalu, Hyarad, and Haravi. The remaining doctors must cover three to four clinics each, making it difficult to respond to public calls in a timely manner.
No staff are present at the Ittigi, Sovenahalli, Manyar Masalawad, Makarabbi, and Haravi animal clinics. The Hirehadagali clinic has only Group ‘D’ staff. Residents express frustration that these clinics are effectively non-existent in emergencies due to the lack of medical personnel. Despite the mechanization of agriculture, small and medium farmers in the taluk still rely on bullocks. Many large families are engaged in dairy farming with crossbred bulls, indigenous cows, and buffaloes. According to the 2021 livestock census, the taluk has 41,753 animals, 1,64,576 goats, and 33,363 sheep.
Farmers allege that animals are suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, and bovine respiratory disease, while crossbred bulls are affected by mastitis and heat stress. Goats are prone to intestinal diseases, anthrax, blue tongue, and mile disease, but timely treatment is not available. A post-mortem examination is mandatory for animals that die due to natural calamities or other causes to claim government compensation, but the shortage of doctors has made this process a struggle for people. Dr. Narayan Banakar stated that despite the staff shortage, they are conducting vaccination and awareness programs for animals and submit proposals to the government every year to fill the vacant posts.