The Nagaland Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services launched the NADCP-FMD Round VII vaccination drive to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease.
Share
KOHIMA — The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme Foot and Mouth Disease (NADCP-FMD) Round VII vaccination drive at the State Cattle Breeding Farm (SCBF), Lerie, Kohima, on Wednesday.
During the launching programme, Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, highlighted that FMD is an economically important disease, with an estimated annual loss of around INR 30,000 crores in the country due to outbreaks.
He cited that although India is one of the highest milk-producing countries in the world, the absence of an FMD-free status restricts the export of milk and milk products. Therefore, the Government of India initiated efforts to control FMD from 2003-04, which were later brought under the NADCP on September 19, 2019, and launched by the Prime Minister of India.
He updated that the programme is a centrally sponsored scheme with 100% funding, where vaccines are provided free of cost, along with remuneration for each vaccination carried out.
In regard to traceability, he mentioned the importance of assigning unique identification through ear tagging to monitor and ensure 100% coverage of livestock. He informed that vaccination is carried out twice a year, as the vaccine potency lasts for six months.
Read more local news: NECTAR launches Grievance Redressal Mechanism portal for Lighthouse School Complexes
He cited that Nagaland is currently in the seventh round of vaccination, adding that the country aims to achieve the goal of becoming FMD-free by 2030. He expressed that failure to meet this target would place a significant responsibility on the state, and thus called upon all stakeholders to actively participate and contribute towards achieving the vision.
He further expressed concern that if any village does not cooperate with the vaccination programme and an outbreak occurs, it could become a serious issue, increasing the state’s liability. He appealed to everyone to take the programme seriously so that farmers can benefit from the initiative and the state can strive to achieve FMD-free status along with the rest of the country.
Dr. H Inato Jimomi, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, also briefed attendees about the vaccination drive and reminded them that FMD is a major disease affecting livestock, particularly cattle and buffaloes, leading to significant economic losses due to reduced milk production.
He said that the programme aims to control FMD through vaccination and achieve its eradication by 2030, thereby increasing domestic production and boosting exports of livestock products. Currently, vaccination under this programme covers all cattle and buffaloes, he added.
He also shared that in the state, vaccination is conducted every six months, and while the previous round achieved 97.2% coverage, efforts are being made to reach 100% in the current round, targeting the entire bovine (cattle, buffalo, and mithun) population.