Kerala is boosting its animal husbandry sector with a new veterinary lab that’s set to make a real difference for farmers and pet owners alike. The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) just launched its first veterinary medical laboratory services unit in Oyoor, a village in Kollam district. The opening happened on September 19, led by J. Chinchurani, the state’s Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development. RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana joined the event too.
This multi-specialty diagnostic center comes packed with cutting-edge equipment for all sorts of veterinary clinical tests. It’s mainly geared toward helping animals, but it will also offer affordable diagnostic services to local people. The setup came together through a partnership with Kerala’s Animal Husbandry Department, using a building from the Velinelloor Village Panchayat.
Prof. Narayana shared his excitement, saying, “This facility will give a huge boost to the animal husbandry sector, especially for livestock and poultry farming. We’re planning to open more units across the state.” He added that the Oyoor spot will grow into a key hub for research on animal husbandry and agriculture. Soon, RGCB will add collection and reporting centers at government veterinary hospitals and dispensaries throughout Kollam district.
Looking ahead, the lab’s research team will tackle disease outbreaks in livestock and develop smart prevention strategies, all in teamwork with the Animal Husbandry Department. RGCB already works closely with the department and the Kerala Livestock Development Board on projects to ramp up milk, egg, and meat production. They’re also diving into research to extend the shelf life and add value to dairy and poultry products.
RGCB isn’t stopping at animal care—they’ve grown their public health lab network statewide too. Teaming up with the State Health Department, they run diagnostic services in government hospitals like Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and General Hospital in Pala. It follows a hub-and-spoke model that connects more than 300 centers across Kerala.
On another front, RGCB’s new Diagnostic and Research Laboratory at the Cochin Cancer Research Centre in Kalamassery is almost ready. Spanning 30,000 square feet, it’ll offer clinical services while becoming a top-notch hub for cancer research—a blueprint that could inspire similar setups nationwide.
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