Arvind Sharma on Dairy Cows Welfare in north India

Arvind Sharma is a veterinarian working in Himachal Pradesh, north India.

In late 2025 Arvind Sharma talked to Clive Phillips for the Conversations with Clive series. In this series, leading farm animal welfare scientists and academic experts share with Clive Phillips their thoughts and experience of farm animal welfare issues.

Key topics discussed in the 34-minute conversation:

1. Systems for retired dairy cows in India.
2. Reverence for cows in India.
3. Support for cow retirement homes (goshalas) from the public and government.
4. Dairy farming in India.
5. Pressures on pastureland.
6. Structure of goshala retirement homes for cattle.
7. Welfare problems of cows in goshalas: overcrowding, poor flooring, injuries, lack of shade.
8. Problems of cows on the streets of India.
9. Encouraging young people to take up dairy farming.
10. Intensification of Indian dairy farming.
11. Environmental pollution from cattle in India.
12. Crop raiding by cows.
13. Arvind's work as a veterinarian in the villages of Himachal Pradesh.
14. Government support for veterinary services to poor and marginal farmers.
15. Cattle breeds used in India.
16. Disease control in the tribal villages.
17. Introduction of factory farming into India.
18. The future of dairy farming.
19. The export of cattle from India.