Journey of a Woman Veterinarian from Tripura: Advancing Climate-Resilient Animal Health through Research and Innovation
Reshma Debbarma
Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, 132001, India
debbarmareshma9@gmail.com
Introduction
The journey of women in veterinary science in India mirrors a broader struggle for inclusion, recognition, and leadership in science-driven professions. From rural villages to advanced research laboratories, women veterinarians today are not only caregivers of animal health but also innovators, educators, and change-makers. In this evolving landscape, climate change has emerged as one of the most formidable challenges to animal agriculture, threatening livestock productivity, reproductive efficiency, animal welfare, and farmer livelihoods.
Against this backdrop, the role of women veterinarians becomes even more critical. They stand at the intersection of science and society, translating research into practical solutions for farmers while navigating systemic, geographic, and gender-based challenges. This article narrates the journey of a woman veterinarian from Tripura, a small northeastern state of India, who pursued veterinary science with determination and has contributed through research and innovation towards climate-resilient animal health systems.
Inspired by the legacy of Savitribai Phule, whose life symbolised courage, education, and social reform, this journey reflects how education empowers women to overcome barriers and how science can be harnessed for societal good. It highlights the role of research in addressing thermal stress, reproductive inefficiency, mastitis, and sustainable dairy production under changing climatic conditions.
Roots in Tripura: Where the Journey Began
Tripura, nestled in the northeastern region of India, is rich in cultural diversity and natural beauty but faces unique developmental challenges. Livestock farming here is largely smallholder-based, integrated with household livelihoods, and highly vulnerable to climatic fluctuations such as heat stress, humidity, erratic rainfall, and limited access to advanced veterinary services.
Growing up in Tripura, close interaction with rural communities and livestock systems shaped an early understanding of the dependence of families on animal health for food security and income. Veterinary care was not merely a profession observed from afar—it was a lifeline for farmers. However, pursuing veterinary education as a woman from a remote region came with challenges: limited exposure, lack of role models, and the need to migrate far from home for higher education.
Despite these constraints, determination and academic commitment paved the way to enrolment in Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH). This foundational phase instilled not only clinical skills but also a deep interest in animal physiology, stress biology, and the invisible physiological processes that determine animal productivity and resilience.
Academic Growth and the Pursuit of Scientific Excellence
The decision to pursue postgraduate education marked a turning point in the journey. Securing admission through a national-level competitive examination to pursue M.V.Sc. in Animal Physiology opened doors to advanced research infrastructure, interdisciplinary learning, and scientific mentorship.
Understanding Heat Stress and Nutritional Amelioration
Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it directly impacts livestock through heat stress, oxidative imbalance, hormonal disruption, and compromised reproductive performance. During the master’s programme, research focused on heat stress and nutritional amelioration, specifically analysing how zinc supplementation could improve semen quality and fertility biomarkers in crossbred male goats across different seasons.
This research was rooted in a real-world problem: declining male fertility under thermal stress conditions. By studying oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and semen parameters, the work demonstrated that targeted mineral nutrition could enhance reproductive resilience even under adverse climatic conditions. The findings carried implications not only for goat production but also for broader climate-adaptive livestock management strategies.
This phase strengthened the understanding that nutrition, physiology, and climate are deeply interconnected, and that science-driven interventions can significantly mitigate environmental stressors.
Doctoral Research: Integrating Technology for Climate-Resilient Dairy Health
The journey progressed further with admission into a Ph.D. programme in Animal Physiology, again through national-level selection. Doctoral research expanded the scope from reproduction to udder health, focusing on one of the costliest diseases in dairy farming: mastitis.
The Challenge of Subclinical Mastitis under Thermal Stress
Subclinical mastitis often goes undetected due to the absence of visible symptoms, yet it silently reduces milk yield, alters milk quality, increases somatic cell count, and leads to economic losses. Thermal stress further exacerbates immune suppression in dairy animals, increasing susceptibility to udder infections.
The doctoral research aimed at early detection of subclinical mastitis in cattle and buffaloes under thermal stress, integrating infrared thermography, milk somatic cell count, and pathogen profiling. This multidisciplinary approach sought to move beyond reactive treatment towards predictive and preventive animal health management.
Infrared thermography, a non-invasive imaging technique, holds promise as a rapid screening tool to detect inflammatory changes before clinical symptoms appear. By combining physiological indicators with milk biomarkers, the research contributes to developing farmer-friendly, animal-welfare-oriented diagnostic strategies.
Innovation, Technology, and Translational Research
One of the defining aspects of this journey has been the emphasis on translational research—ensuring that laboratory findings translate into field-level impact. Climate-resilient animal health cannot remain confined to academic publications; it must reach farmers in practical, affordable forms.
Through training programmes, workshops, and exposure to data analysis tools, dairy processing, and biotechnology techniques, the journey has been shaped by continuous skill upgradation. Learning statistical tools enhanced data interpretation, while exposure to value addition and milk processing linked animal health with income generation and food security.
This integrative approach reflects the evolving role of women veterinarians—not just as clinicians or researchers, but as system thinkers capable of addressing complex challenges at the interface of climate, animals, and livelihoods.
Recognition and Leadership Development
Academic excellence and research impact have been recognised through multiple awards, fellowships, and competitive achievements. Securing institutional scholarships through national entrance examinations and being awarded a prestigious national fellowship for doctoral research strengthened the resolve to contribute meaningfully to veterinary science.
Recognition through best thesis awards, national-level essay competitions, and conference presentations validated the scientific relevance of the work. However, beyond accolades, these platforms offered opportunities to share knowledge, build networks, and mentor peers, especially young women aspiring to enter veterinary and agricultural sciences.
Leadership in science is not merely about titles—it is about responsibility. Representing women from the northeastern region in national institutions carries the responsibility of visibility, excellence, and inclusivity.
Women Veterinarians as Agents of Change
Women veterinarians bring unique strengths to animal health systems: empathy, communication, perseverance, and community engagement. Their presence in rural outreach, extension services, research institutions, and policy frameworks enhances trust and effectiveness.
The journey from Tripura to national research platforms underscores how regional representation matters. When women from under-represented areas succeed, they inspire others to dream beyond geographical and social constraints. This ripple effect aligns deeply with the values championed by Savitribai Phule—education as liberation and empowerment as transformation.
By engaging in scientific writing, public outreach, and mentoring, this journey reflects a commitment to uplifting the next generation of women professionals, especially those from rural and tribal backgrounds.
Climate Change, Animal Welfare, and Sustainable Development
Climate-resilient animal health is inseparable from national and global sustainability goals. Heat stress, emerging diseases, and antibiotic resistance pose serious threats to livestock systems. Addressing these challenges requires a blend of physiology, nutrition, technology, and ethical animal care.
Research on oxidative stress, reproductive efficiency, mastitis diagnostics, and non-invasive technologies contributes directly to:
- Improved animal welfare
- Reduced economic losses
- Lower antibiotic dependence
- Enhanced milk quality and food safety
Women veterinarians play a critical role in advocating these science-based solutions while ensuring that farmers are partners in innovation rather than passive recipients.
Alignment with Viksit Bharat @2047
The vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 envisions a developed, inclusive, and sustainable India. Livestock and dairy sectors are integral to this vision, supporting rural employment, nutrition, and economic growth.
The journey described in this article aligns with this national vision by:
- Strengthening climate-resilient livestock production
- Promoting early disease detection and preventive healthcare
- Empowering women through education and leadership
- Bridging research and field application
A developed nation is built not only on infrastructure but on empowered minds—especially those of women who transform challenges into opportunities.
