Officials and others during the launch of NADCP-FMD Round VII Vaccination in Kohima on April 15. (Morung Photo)
Foot and Mouth Disease causes Rs 30,000 crore annual loss to India
Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 15
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services launched the seventh round of vaccination under the National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (NADCP-FMD) at the State Cattle Breeding Farm (SCBF), Kohima on April 15.
Speaking at the launch, Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr Kuokehebi Gwirie said Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) causes an estimated annual loss of around Rs 30,000 crore to the country.
He said India, being one of the highest milk-producing countries in the world, is restricted from exporting milk and milk products due to the absence of FMD-free status.
The Government of India initiated efforts to control the disease from 2003-04, which was later brought under NADCP and formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 19, 2019, he added.
Gwirie said the programme is a centrally sponsored scheme with 100 per cent funding, under which vaccines are provided free of cost along with remuneration for each vaccination carried out.
He stressed the importance of ear tagging livestock for unique identification to ensure traceability and 100% coverage. Vaccination is conducted twice a year as vaccine potency lasts six months, he said. “Nagaland is currently in the seventh round of vaccination and must keep pace with the rest of the country to achieve the goal of becoming FMD-free by 2030,” he said.
The Director cautioned that villages failing to cooperate with the vaccination programme and subsequently reporting outbreaks could invite state liability. He urged all stakeholders to actively participate in the programme so that farmers can benefit from the initiative.
Dr H Inato Jimomi, Joint Director, highlighted FMD vaccination drives under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) is an initiative aims to control FMD by 2025/2026 and achieve its eradication by 2030.
This campaign targets 100% coverage of bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo and Mithun) with free, biannual vaccination. Though this vaccine is for all cloven footed, this launching is focused mainly on the cattle, Buffalo and Mithun.
He highlighted that the goal of this program is to enhance livestock productivity, increase milk yield, and boost exports of livestock products. The vaccination is free of cost for farmers, implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He informed that vaccination is conducted every six months, and while the previous round achieved 87.2% coverage. “Efforts are being made to reach 100% in the current round,” he added.
The launching programme was chaired by Dr Kewelelo Mero, Chief Executive Officer, Nagaland Livestock Development Board while Dr Rebecca Khing, Deputy Director proposed vote of thanks.
