Ethno-Veterinary Practices (EVP) as a New Approach for Management of Cattle Health without Antimicrobial and Other Chemical Veterinary Drugs

Abstract

The promotion of the farmer oriented cost effective ethno-veterinary practices (EVP) based on natural products is an important approach to sustainable dairy farming. The application of EVP will largely reduce the use of antibiotics, other chemical veterinary drugs and hormones in the large-scale management of animal health. This would help elimination/reduction of antibiotics and other chemical drug use in animal production and the associated residue in the animal products. It also reduces antimicrobial resistance in the long run. EVPs were documented 24 locations and assessed to understand their safety and efficacy. Three hundred and fifty three were safe and efficacious. One thousand seven hundred and fifty veterinarians, 30,000 farmers and 552 village resource persons were trained to use these formulations. This will enhance the health of livestock and reduce dependence of antimicrobials. This approach promotes organic production of animal products and supports the concept of “One Health”. Ethno-veterinary Science and Practices to combat infectious diseases and other clinical conditions in livestock are the key alternatives to antibiotics and other veterinary drugs. These formulations can be prepared and used by the farmers themselves to prevent and manage the health care of their cattle. So, the aim of this article is to emphasize the value of using EVP to combat infectious diseases and other clinical conditions in livestock as a viable alternative to antimicrobials and other veterinary chemical drugs in livestock health management.