Agricultural Economics Research Review

The study has assessed the status and gaps in delivery of animal healthcare services, both curative and preventive, in Uttar Pradesh, by selecting 557 livestock farmers from 5 districts, one each from five agro-climatic regions of the state. The study has revealed that the policy of delivery of subsidized animal healthcare services (AHS) does not seem to be serving its real purpose as most of the farmers in the study area have been observed to avail the services of private practitioners. The analysis of attributes associated with various AHS providers has revealed that ‘proximity’ is the major constraining factor in the uptake of AHS. The crossbred cattle ownership, low economic status and distance from nearest AHS centre have emerged as the most significant variables affecting the choice of AHS providers. With increasing distance from state AHS centres, farmers’ preference for AHS provider shifts from government veterinary officers (GVO) to private practitioners. On the other hand, ownership of crossbred cattle has shifted the preference of farmers from other AHS providers to GVO. The odds of accessing the services of private practitioners have been found significantly higher for the poor farmers. The study has reported that the farmers are willing to pay for AHS delivery but the amount as obtained from a contingent valuation exercise has been found significantly lower for poor than rich farmers. This implies that this price differential should be kept in perspective if any policy orientation towards cost recovery for AHS provision is envisaged.