Awareness Programme on “Foot & Mouth Disease” held at Sippighat
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, goats, and pigs. As a part of the National FMD awareness week 2022, the Animal Science Division of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair in collaboration with the Directorate of AH & VS, A & N Administration organized an awareness programme on "Prevention and control of Foot and Mouth Disease in livestock” on 16th September 2022 at Community hall of Sippighat Panchayat. The program was attended by Dr. Jai Sunder, Pr Scientist & Coordinator, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Sr Veterinary officer, DAHVS, Dr. P.A. Bala, Sr Scientist, Dr. A.K. De, Sr Scientist & Shri. Mohammed Abdul Abid, Panchayat Secretary. Altogether 36dairy farmers participated in the awareness program. On the occasion mineral mixture, fodder cuttings, and fodder seeds were also distributed to the farmers.
Dr. Jai Sunder, Pr. Scientist and Coordinator of the programme explained in detail the causes, symptoms, treatment, and control measures of FMD in livestock. He stressed the importance of such an awareness programme that will curb the prevalence of FMD on this island. He also replied to several queries raised by the farmers regarding the treatment and control of the disease. He stated that with the effective vaccination programme and routine monitoring and surveillance, the disease has been effectively controlled since the last outbreak occurred in 2018. He requested all the farmers to cooperate with the vaccination programme for the control and eradication of the disease from this island.
Dr. Baljit Kaur, Sr. Veterinary Officer, DAHVS highlighted the significance of vaccination programmes and informed us that the next round of vaccination will commence very shortly. She urged all the farmers to come forward and cooperate with the vaccination programme.
Shri. Mohammed Abdul Abid, Panchayat Secretary appreciated the effort of ICAR-CIARI& DAHVS for the initiatives and requested to conduct such type of programme in the future also for the welfare and progress of the farming community. He assured us that farmers are very much interested in the dairy activity and will take active participation in the joint effort for the successful implementation of the FMD control programme.
Dr. A.K. De, Co-coordinators of the programme spoke about the importance of the vaccination programme. The programme was coordinated by Dr. P.A. Bala, Sr Scientist, Animal Science Division, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. The whole progamme was conducted under the guidance and supervision of Dr E.B.Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.
