Sri Vijaya Puram, May 25: 31st round of Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination for bovine is scheduled to commence from 2nd June, 2025. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven hoofed animals like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig etc. FMD causes loss of milk production affecting the livelihood of farmers and leading to significant economic loss. To control and eradicate FMD, vaccination of cattle and buffalo is carried out under the flagship scheme National Animal Disease Control Program.
A mass awareness campaign and interactive session was organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services yesterday at Animal Husbandry Training Institute (ATHI), Livestock Farm Complex, Dollygunj to raise awareness for the ensuing vaccination campaign.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director (AH&VS) highlighted the need for 100 percent vaccination of cattle and buffalo to eradicate the disease. He exhorted the farmers to get their bovines dewormed and tagged. He also laid the facts busting the myths about the vaccine. Later, the Director addressed the concerns and queries of the farmers. SVOs of Garacharma, Ext. & Pub, LFC, Dollygunj, Cattle Holding Farm and RP Unit also spoke on the occasion stressing on the need for vaccination and scientific management of dairy cattle and buffalo. Feeding nutritious fodder was emphasized and the farmers were urged to adopt fodder conservation methods like silage making and prepared silage was distributed to the farmers. The program concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by SVO, AHTI, Dollygunj. The farmers appreciated the informative session and requested for more such programs on other topics also.