Digital Cattle Revolution

In Jalna and Nashik, a low-cost livestock app is quietly transforming animal health, farmer incomes and the way government tracks rural welfare

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E-Pashu has shown that innovation doesn't always come from metropolitan labs

On November 16, 2025, at a glittering function at PHDCCI, Delhi, E-Pashu—an initiative by Ashima Singh— was bestowed with the Nexus of Good Annual Award 2025 by BK Chaturvedi, former Cabinet Secretary and former Member of the Planning Commission.

The model that Ashima Mittal and her dedicated team have put in place is both scalable and replicable, embodying the true spirit of Nexus of Good through public-private partnership. It also demonstrates how technology can be used effectively in the process of development, even in rural settings.

This recognition sets the stage for understanding the meaningful impact E-Pashu has had on rural communities. In the heart of rural Maharashtra, livestock are not just animals—they are family members, the main source of income, and an insurance policy against uncertainty. Yet for decades, veterinary care in villages relied on handwritten registers and fading memories. Missed vaccinations, untracked breeding cycles, and delayed treatment often resulted in disease outbreaks and financial distress for farmers.

Recognising this gap, Ashima Mittal, I.A. S., Collector & District Magistrate Jalna (Former CEO ZP Nashik), spearheaded E-Pashu—a pioneering digital livestock management system designed to bring transparency, traceability, and accountability to animal healthcare.

Before E-Pashu, livestock officers managed 15-20 villages each, carrying bulky registers to record vaccination drives and breeding data. Collating district-wide information was tedious, and by the time it reached decision-makers, the data were outdated. Farmers rarely received updates about their animals' health schedules.