NERLDF
The North-Eastern Region (NER) of India comprising the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura occupies about 7% of the total land area and 4% of the total population of the country. Agriculture is the prime source of livelihood for the majority (85%) of the rural population in this region, although cereals dominate the cropping pattern in this region, livestock is an important component of the mixed farming system and dependence on livestock as an alternative source of income, is significant.
However, livestock diseases that cause losses in livestock production, treatment costs and export restrictions affect the economy, animal welfare, the environment, and public health. Some of the important livestock diseases in NER are foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue, brucellosis, haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), babesiosis, theileriosis, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), porcine cysticercosis, african swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), Porcine circovirus (PCV), and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Therefore, there is a need for rapid diagnostic and early warning systems for timely detection and management of disease.
In response to this pressing challenge, the North East Region Livestock Disease Forecasting (NERLDF) application serves as a critical component in safeguarding livestock health and mitigating the impact of disease outbreaks. Forewarning activities of the NERLDF cover all major livestock diseases of NER and are based on disease surveillance, reporting, and epidemiological investigations and are supported by the geographical information system (GIS) that enables integration, analysis and sharing of animal health data combined with relevant layers of information such as livestock population, land use/cover, meteorological data, remote sensing data, etc.
Leveraging machine learning algorithms NERLDF app provides timely disease predictions two months in advance at the district level to empower health authorities and farmers to plan need-based resource allocation and implement preventive measures promptly based on data-driven decision-making.
Additionally, the integration of the features of the Pig Disease Diagnosis Expert System (PDDES) developed for major 13 pig disease diagnoses (ASF, CSF, PRRS, FMD, PCV, Swine pox, Pig Diarrhoea (PD), Anthrax, HS, Greasy Pig Disease (GPD), Erysipelas, Mange infestation) into NERLDF, enhances the diagnostic capabilities, allowing for accurate identification of pig diseases. This diagnosis is based on various data inputs, including clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, and epidemiological information and provides accurate recommendations for treatment and prevention measures. Using PDDES, veterinarians, farmers, and other swine industry professionals can quickly identify and treat diseases to minimize their impact on pig production and profitability.
By facilitating proactive responses, NERLDF helps to minimize disease spread, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Additionally, strategic planning and resource management are enhanced, ensuring optimal deployment of limited resources to areas of greatest need. NERLDF's robust implementation not only saves lives but also yields significant economic benefits by averting healthcare costs, preserving productivity, and safeguarding societal well-being.