रामगोंडनहल्ली, येलहंका, बेंगलुरू – 560064
Ramagondanahalli, Post Box No: 6450, Yelahanka, Bengaluru - 560064
Bengaluru, [4 October 2024]: Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi, visited the ICAR-NIVEDI today to launch new initiatives aimed at advancing livestock health and disease surveillance. Accompanying him was Dr Divakar Hemadri, ADG (Animal Health). The visit provided an important opportunity to assess the progress of several key national and international research initiatives being undertaken at the institute.
In his welcome address, Dr Baldev R. Gulati, Director of NIVEDI, expressed his sincere gratitude to the DDG (AS) and ADG (AH) for their ongoing support and guidance. Dr Gulati highlighted the progress of several important projects since their last review, including the commencement of the ICMR Slaughterhouse Surveillance Project and the ICMR Bird Sanctuary Surveillance Project, expanding NIVEDI's scope for detecting and managing zoonotic risks in new niches.
Dr Gulati also updated the DDG (AS) on the Livestock Epidemiology and Disease Modelling Proposal, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), which is under review and poised to transform disease prediction and control strategies. Furthermore, proposals submitted to the World Bank and FAO to evaluate the socio-economic impacts of livestock diseases have been under consideration for funding, strengthening NIVEDI’s research capabilities. Notably, two of NIVEDI’s laboratories have achieved WOAH Reference Laboratory recognition, underscoring the institute’s high standards in veterinary diagnostics. An application for FAO Reference Centre status for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Leptospirosis has also been submitted. On the national front, NIVEDI has completed a significant study assessing the economic impact of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in India.
During the visit, Dr Bhatta officiated the culmination of the "Eik Ped Maa Ke Naam" plantation drive, where 1,500 forestry plants were planted throughout the NIVEDI campus. He stressed the importance of such initiatives in promoting environmental sustainability and fostering a green, healthy environment within the institute.
Dr Bhatta also launched a new SMS alert system for field veterinarians, which will begin with a pilot in Karnataka. This system is designed to provide veterinarians with early warnings of potential livestock disease outbreaks in their regions, offering them two months’ advance notice to prepare and implement preventive measures.
Another highlight of the visit was the release of "Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Medicine," a book authored by Dr S S Patil, which explores the role of nanotechnology in revolutionizing agriculture and veterinary science.
Additionally, the Sampling Plan for the 6th Round of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Monitoring was unveiled by the DDG (AS), marking another significant step in India’s efforts to control FMD.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Bhatta praised the institute's notable achievements, particularly in securing significant research funding from both national and international sources. He assured NIVEDI of ICAR's unwavering support, especially in addressing the current space constraints faced by the institute in terms of laboratory facilities, postgraduate teaching, and hostel accommodations.
Dr Bhatta also lauded the leadership of Dr Gulati and his team for their exceptional work and strategic vision. He noted that the institute’s forward-thinking initiatives, such as the SMS alert system and their data-driven approach to livestock disease surveillance, are crucial for India’s future in animal health. He concluded by reaffirming that ICAR stands ready to provide any necessary support to help NIVEDI continue its mission of advancing veterinary epidemiology and safeguarding livestock health in India.