Proposed veterinary college offers new hopes to the dairy sector and aspiring veterinarians
Goa is set to get its first veterinary college after the central government gave its approval for establishing the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Curti in Ponda taluka. On Tuesday, the Centre issued a Letter of Permission for setting up the college under Goa University. Granted by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the approval allows the college to offer the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH) programme with an annual intake of 40 students from the forthcoming academic year.
The central permission has been issued following recommendations from the Veterinary Council of India, which found the proposed institution compliant with prescribed norms relating to land, infrastructure, clinical and livestock facilities, equipment, and other requirements. The state government has been instructed to ensure full compliance with all regulatory norms, including the appointment of qualified faculty and maintenance of infrastructure and academic standards. The permission is, however, subject to periodic inspections and verification by the Veterinary Council of India.
The establishment of the Goa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Ponda will transform the state’s agricultural and educational sectors. For decades, Goan students aspiring to become veterinarians had to seek admission in other states, particularly in Maharashtra or in Puducherry. With an initial intake of 40 students, local youth can now pursue professional degrees in veterinary sciences within their home state. Also, getting a job as a veterinarian may not be difficult in the state, unlike in many other sectors, like IT, which has seen hundreds of Goans migrating to neighbouring states for work. In contrast, the scope for practising veterinary services in Goa is currently expanding with pet ownership rising among the growing middle class. This has created a demand for specialised care and diagnosis for companion animals. Already, several pet care clinics have sprung up in the state. In this situation, there is a high possibility of local talent not moving out of the state—at least not in large numbers. Some international veterinary services are present in Goa, and they too need local hands to run their operations.
On its part, the state is actively upgrading its facilities, creating roles for specialised technicians and veterinarians. As reported by this paper, the government is developing a Rs 13 crore veterinary hospital in Mulgao with advanced diagnostic tools like X-ray and sonography.
Besides being a degree college, the institution will be a new investment in Goa’s rural economy. The college will likely be of help to the dairy and poultry sectors as well. As the state is heavily dependent on neighbouring states for milk and meat, the veterinary college would be able to provide the technical expertise needed to improve livestock productivity. Through better disease management, breeding programmes, and nutritional guidance, local farmers can increase yields, moving Goa closer to Swayampurna (self-sufficiency) in animal husbandry. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been pushing this concept for a long time, but success in the animal husbandry sector has been limited.
Veterinarians are the first line of defence against zoonotic diseases. The college could enhance the state’s capacity for rapid diagnosis, surveillance, and emergency response, safeguarding both animal welfare and public health. It can play a pivotal role in researching and preserving indigenous breeds unique to the Konkan region. With access to modern clinical and livestock facilities, the state can implement scientific conservation efforts that were previously outsourced. Hopefully, professionalism will be shown by the government in running the college.
