National Webinar Cum e-Workshop on ‘Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Pigs of North Eastern States’ organised under Biotech-KISAN Project.
Keeping in view of outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in north eastern states during 2020 and occurance of some suspected cases of ASF in some parts of northeastern states, a National Webinar Cum e-Workshop on ‘Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Pigs of North Eastern States’ organised under Biotech-KISAN Project entitled “Expansion of activities of Biotech-KISAN Hub in seven selected districts of North East States” by main hub of the project i.e. ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya on 24.3.2021, for the benefit of beneficiaries of seven partner institutes of seven north eastern states.Dr. R. Laha, Principal Scientist and Hub Facilitator of the Project as well as Organising Secretary of the programme, welcomed Dr. V.K.Mishra, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, in this program and thanks the Director for his kind presence in this National Webinar, in spite of his busy schedule. He also welcomed all Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators and all project staff of seven aspirational districts (Namsai, Kiphire, Mamit, Chandel, Hailakandi, West Sikkim and Dhalai) of seven north eastern states and also main hub, expert speakers and all farmer beneficiaries. Dr. V.K Mishra, Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, in his address told that basic objectives of the project is how our Institute going to serve farming community of north eastern region and in that respect, todays programme is concentrated on ASF. He also briefed about the histry of ASF and its effect on mortality of pigs in north eastern states. He also mentioned that the pork industry of north eastern region of India particularly suffered major losses during lockdown period due to COVID-19 followed by ASF. It shows that ASF is a serious problem and serious threat for pig farmers and for pig industry and it is the right time to see and discuss about ASF and to aware pig farmers about this disease, so that they can take preventive measure against ASF. He hope that the lectures and demonstrations on ASF in this webinar by expert speakers, will be helpful for the pig farming community of north east to prevent their valuable pigs from ASF, as till now there is no treatment and vaccine to control this disease. He wish every success of this virtual seminar. The expert speakers Dr. A. Sen, Principal Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator spoke on ‘Awareness about African Swine Fever (ASF)-A dreadful Viral Disease of Pigs’ and Dr. K. Puro, Senior Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator spoke about ‘Prevention of ASF and demonstrated about the use of disinfectants for its control. After that a long session on interactions with PIs and Co-PIs of all Centres under this project held.Overall 110 participants attended this programme.The virtual conference was end with vote of thanks offered by Dr. Sandeep Ghatak, Principal Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator of the project. The technical help extended by Dr. A.A.P. Milton, Scientist and Co-PI and Dr. Samir Das, Scientist and Co-PI were thankfully acknowledged.
