Port Blair, Oct 28: An awareness programme on “Prevention and Control of Foot & Mouth Disease in Livestock” was held on Tuesday in the Veterinary Dispensary of Rangachnag, Beodnabad Panchayat under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Foot & Mouth Disease by Animal Science Division of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Andaman & DAH&VS, A & N Administration. Altogether, 28 farmers including paravet attended the awareness programme.
Smt Shanti Vardharaj, Pradhan, Boednabad Panchyat was the chief guest, while Smt Farida Bibi, Zilla Parishad member, Mr Mohan Nai, Pramukh, Mr Paramasivam, Up-Pradhan, Dr. Nagesh Ram, Head & Sr. Scientist, KVK, South Andaman, Dr. N C Choudhury, ACTO, KVK, Dr. Baljit Kaur, SVO and Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Investigator of the project were present during the programme.
In her address, Smt V Shanti appreciated the effort of CIARI and DAHVS for providing overall initiatives for the development of animal husbandry activities in the farmer’s field. Speaking on the occasion, she assured fullest cooperation and informed that farmers of this area are very much interested in the dairy activity and will take active participation for the joint effort for successful implementation of the FMD control programme. She also requested the farmers to join hands together for control and eradication of this disease from A & N Islands. Smti. Farida Bibi, Mr Mohan Nair and Mr Paramashivam also addressed the gathering. It was informed that during the gram sabha meeting various issues on the agriculture and allied sectors will be discussed and a joint meeting will be organised with the CIARI to evolve different strategic plan for imparting training and creating awareness on different technologies and schemes of CIARI.
Dr. Jai Sunder, PI, of the programme explained in detail about the foot and mouth disease in livestock, its treatment and control measures. He stated that with the effective vaccination programme and the routine monitoring and surveillance, the disease has been effectively controlled since the last outbreak occurred in 2005. He also requested all the farmers to cooperate for the vaccination programme for the control and eradication of the disease from this island.
Dr. Baljit Kaur, SVO gave brief overview of the FMD and the importance of vaccination programmes initiated by the department. She informed that 19 round of vaccination have already been over and the result is very encouraging. She thanked the Pradhan and appreciated the farmers for their cooperation for successful implementation of the FMD control programme. She also highlighted about the livestock insurance scheme and other schemes of the department and urged the farmers to come forward to get the benefit of the different government schemes.
Dr. Nagesh Ram highlighted about the importance of livestock for livelihood security and income generation and also informed about the various activities of the KVK. Dr. N.C. Choudhury spoke on the importance of feeding of mineral mixtures and feed supplements for better growth and productivity.
