BTC collaborates with AAU for the diagnosis and management of pig diseases

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 26, 2024

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has partnered with the Directorate of Research (Veterinary) at Assam Agricultural University (AAU) to enhance cooperation in diagnosing and managing pig diseases as part of the Bodoland Pig Mission (BPM).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday, with the presence of BTC Chief Pramod Bodo, AAU Vice Chancellor Dr. BC Deka, and other officials.

The collaboration aims to leverage the laboratory resources of the Department of Animal Biotechnology (DAB), College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), AAU, Khanapara, for diagnosing various pig diseases, thereby improving the health of livestock in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

The BPM will be responsible for collecting and sending field samples, along with disease history and epidemiological data, to DAB for analysis. Additionally, BPM will establish a network connecting local pig farmers, veterinarians, and stakeholders, ensuring efficient sample collection from different parts of the BTR, ultimately benefiting pig farming in the region.

In turn, the DAB, CVSc, AAU, Khanapara will provide the necessary diagnostic facilities and technical support for the rapid detection and screening of these samples in addition to the conduction of capacity development programme for both farmers and animal health workers.

The department will maintain an inventory of diagnostic tests performed and reconcile financial transactions periodically, ensuring transparency throughout the project.

As per the agreement, the BPM will provide all the costs required for diagnostic procedures to the AAU. The MoU will remain in effect for two years, with provisions for review and potential extension. Both parties are committed to exploring further collaboration in other areas of animal health and management, marking a pivotal step toward enhancing veterinary services and public health in the region.

The Director of Research (Veterinary), AAU, Khanapara, Dr Probodh Bora, welcomed all the delegates and expressed gratitude to BTC for their commendable collaborative efforts with AAU.

These initiatives promise to significantly enhance the pig industry in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in the days to come. The Vice Chancellor of AAU expressed his profound satisfaction and appreciation to BTC, anticipating more collaborative programs between the two parties shortly to foster the development of the farming community.

The CEM of BTR expressed his satisfaction with the invaluable services provided by the researchers at AAU and more particularly by the College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Khanapara for the benefit of pig farmers. He hopes that this programme will further fortify and elevate the industry in the BTR.

Akash Deep, Principal Secretary, BTC also hoped to get maximum benefit out of this agreement.

The I/c Head of the DAB, Dr Dipak Deka, in his vote of thanks, expressed satisfaction with the ceremony and assured to provide the best services to the BPM by all the concerned scientists from the college involved in this endeavour.

The ceremony was attended by Sri D. N. Hazarika, Secretary, AHVD (BTC), Dr. Jyoti Pad Das (CHD), AHVD, BTC, Sri Pushpadhar Das, OSD, Agri & Vet, BTC, Sri Bhagat Lal Dutta, Adviser, AHVD, BTC and other statutory officers of AAU and Head of the different departments of College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara.