Connect with:
Friday / April 25. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2023May (Page 4)
Agrotech, Company News, World

ANELLO GNSS INS delivers robust, high-accuracy positioning and orientation for applications in the Agriculture, Construction, Trucking

ANELLO Photonics, The Creator of the SiPhOG announced the availability of the ANELLO GNSS INS – The World’s Smallest Optical Gyro Inertial Navigation System – for robust and reliable long-term GPS-Denied Navigation and Localisation.

Powered by ANELLO’s unique optical gyroscope technology and ANELLO’s AI-based sensor fusion engine, the ANELLO GNSS INS delivers robust, high-accuracy positioning and orientation for applications in the Agriculture, Construction, Trucking and Autonomous Vehicle space. Unlike other reference systems, the ANELLO GNSS INS delivers superior accuracy in high-temperature and high-vibration applications.

“We see rapidly growing interest and demand for our optical gyro technology and we are actively engaged with customers who need robust, high-precision optical gyro-based solutions for their autonomous applications,” said Dr Mario Paniccia, CEO of ANELLO Photonics. “The ANELLO GNSS INS has been developed in collaboration with our customers and we’re proud to bring to market the World’s Smallest Optical Gyro Inertial Navigation System designed for today’s demanding autonomous applications.”

The ANELLO GNSS INS system was designed with safety, robustness, and ease of use in mind. Seamless navigation and positioning in challenging GPS-denied environments allow ANELLO’s optical gyro technology to support multiple customer applications and use cases. The ANELLO GNSS INS comes equipped with the following standard features:

Unaided heading drift of < 0.5°/hr

Dual multi-band RTK capable GNSS Engines

ASIL-D Ready Automotive Qualified CPU

Automotive 2-Wire Ethernet (100Base-T1)

Dual high-speed CAN FD Interfaces

Dual RS-232 Interfaces

Hardware Precision Time Protocol (PTP), IEEE 802.1AS

IP68 – Waterproof, Resistant to Dust, Salt Spray and Chemicals

ANELLO Photonics is currently engaged in trials with various market-leading customers in the Construction, Farming, Trucking, Robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Autonomous Vehicles, and National Security space.

ANELLO GNSS INS delivers robust, high-accuracy positioning

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Live Stock

Training programmes emphasised the breeding and seed production of indigenous carp and ornamental fishes

ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow is putting institutional efforts towards community empowerment through a participatory approach for the fish farmers especially women fish farmers of the remotely located villages in West Bengal.

The Institute has organised two capacity-building programmes in collaboration with ICAR-CISH KVK, Malda and Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Dhaanyaganga KVK, Sargachhi respectively under the STC and SCSP components for the skill training of ST and SC fish farmers.

Training programmes emphasised on the breeding and seed production of indigenous carp and ornamental fishes. The institute has established a carp seed production-cum- demonstration unit at Dhaanyaganga KVK, Sargachhi.

Dr. U.K. Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR urged the fish farmers for income generation through aquaculture and fisheries. He also emphasised a participatory approach to the conservation of regional fish biodiversity.

He also distributed the fishery inputs including FRP ornamental fish tanks to the fish farmers.

Swami Vishwamayananda, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Dhaanyaganga KVK, Sargachhi encouraged the farmers for augmenting livelihood through technology adoption in fisheries and aquaculture with the help of ICAR-NBFGR.

Training programmes emphasised the breeding and seed

Agrotech, Company News, Europe, Machinery - Pre-harvesting

 Integration will fast track the further enhancement of CNH Industrial’s precision and automated spraying capabilities.

CNH Industrial and ONE SMART SPRAY, a joint venture between Bosch and BASF, have signed a collaboration agreement to integrate the latter’s advanced spraying system within CNH Industrial’s agricultural brand product portfolios. The system’s integration will be led by the Raven team and will be commercially available via the global Case IH and New Holland Agriculture brands.

The ONE SMART SPRAY integration is an important solution that will fast track the further enhancement of CNH Industrial’s precision and automated spraying capabilities. It will do so through multiple cameras installed on a sprayer’s boom. This will provide customers with green-on-green (plant on plant) and green-on-brown (plant on soil) weed detection and selective spraying.

Precision is combined with digital tools and agronomic insights that are accessible via mobile devices to provide in-depth weed maps, track input and cost savings in real time and generate automated reports and data. These deliver farmers clean fields while maximizing herbicide savings, operational efficiency and sustainability. The system also allows farmers to set up their desired spraying operations both in day and night conditions to expand their operating windows.

The collaboration with ONE SMART SPRAY is the latest development in CNH Industrial’s AgTech product offering, which will continue to support the world’s farmers to farm more efficiently and sustainably.

 Integration will fast track the further enhancement

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, India

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs-458.40 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 5.69 crores for the period ended March 31, 2022.

Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited has reported Consolidated financial results for the period ended March 31, 2023.The company has reported total income of Rs. 1404.72 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023, as compared to Rs. 1428.73 crores during the period ended December 31, 2022. The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs. -458.40 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 69.21 crores for the period ended December 31, 2022. The company has reported EPS of Rs -108.99 for the period ended March 31, 2023, as compared to Rs. 16.46 for the period ended December 31, 2022.

Financial Results (Q4 FY2023) – YoY Comparison

The company has reported total income of Rs.1404.72 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs 925.96 crores during the period ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs-458.40 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 5.69 crores for the period ended March 31, 2022.

The company has reported EPS of Rs 108.99 for the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.1.35 for the period ended March 31, 2022

Financial Results – YoY Comparison

The company has reported total income of Rs 4647.27 crores during the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.3650.31 crores during the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs 476.63 crores for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs.130.45 crores for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has reported EPS of Rs 113.33 for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023, as compared to Rs 31.02 for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit /

Agro chems – Chemicals, Finance, India, Inputs, Trade

Export has grown at an impressive CAGR of 13 per cent, which is among the highest in the manufacturing sector.

As per the data issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), India’s export of agrochemicals has doubled over the last six years, rising from $ 2.6 billion in 2017–18 to $5.4 billion in FY 2022-23. The export of agrochemicals from India hit a record high of Rs 43,223 crore in the fiscal year 2022–2023, up from Rs 36,521 crore in the previous year. Export has grown at an impressive CAGR of 13 per cent, which is among the highest in the manufacturing sector. As per reported by ICN, excluding the EU, India currently ranks as the third-largest exporter of agrochemicals in the world, after only China and the United States.

India’s agrochemical exports are substantially larger than its domestic market. The agrochemicals market is worth around $74 billion globally. Of this, post-patent chemicals make up about 80 per cent. India is fast becoming a top worldwide location for post-patent agricultural chemicals.

According to CCFI (Crop Care Federation of India), Indian agrochemicals industry requires to be recognized as export intensive industry and all the new investments and projects need to be put on a fast track. The agrochemicals export can easily cross $10 bn in the next 3-4 years. Backward integration, capacity expansion, and new registrations considerably foster the growth. CCFI has made representation to the Finance Ministry seeking the inclusion of agrochemicals under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Export has grown at an impressive CAGR

Environment, Nature, Sustainability, World

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) are communities which base their livelihoods and food security on their close relationship with their surroundings

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) awarded certificates to 24 new Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites.

The 24 sites, which have been designated by FAO since the last ceremony in 2018, are located in 12 countries, including Brazil, China, Spain, Ecuador, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Morocco.

At the award ceremony, which also marked the International Day for Biological Diversity, Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General said that many of the GIAHS had become reservoirs of biological diversity.

“In the context of agri-food systems and rural areas, we need to consider the combined conservation of biodiversity and food diversity. This is the most pragmatic way to raise public awareness of biodiversity.

“Agricultural heritage systems showcase practices that offer solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss, in particular at the local level,” he said.

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) are communities which base their livelihoods and food security on their close relationship with their surroundings.

24 new Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites are:

Brazil: Traditional Agricultural System in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais.

China: Shexian Dryland Stone Terraced System; Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Culture System; Ar Horqin Grassland Nomadic System in Inner Mongolia; Qingyuan Forest-Mushroom Co-culture System in Zhejiang Province.

Ecuador: Andean chakra: An Ancestral Agricultural System of Kichwas Cotacachi Communities; Amazonian Chakra, a traditional agroforestry system managed by Indigenous communities in Napo province.

Iran: Qanat-based Saffron Farming System in Gonabad; Grape Production System in Jowzan Valley

Italy: Soave Traditional Vineyards; Olive groves of the slopes between Assisi and Spoleto

Japan: Biwa lake to land integrated system; Fruit Cultivation System in Kyoutou Region, Yamanashi.

Republic of Korea: Geumsan Traditional Ginseng Agricultural System; Damyang Bamboo Field Agriculture System.

Mexico: Ich Kool: Mayan milpa of the Yucatan peninsula.  

Morocco: Argan-based agro-sylva-pastoral system within the area of Ait Souab-Ait Mansour; The Ksour of Figuig: Oasis and Pastoral Culture Around the Social Management of Water and Land.

Spain: Agricultural System Ancient Olive Trees Territorio Sénia; Historical Irrigation System at l’Horta de València; Agrosilvopastoral system Mountains of León;

Thailand: Thale Noi Wetland Pastoral Buffalo Agro-ecosystem

Tunisia: Hanging Gardens from Djebba El Olia; Ramli Agricultural System in the Lagoons of Ghar El Melh.

 GIAHS, a flagship program of FAO, was established in 2002 to identify and protect important agricultural heritage sites and their associated biodiversity, landscapes, knowledge systems, and cultures. This network currently consists of 74 systems across the world, according to the FAO. 

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, R&D

The MoU will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects, and exchange of experts

ICAR – Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, and Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak entered into an agreement to collaborate in the area of Academics, Research, and Outreach.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR – CIPHET, Ludhiana and Dr Gulshan Lal Taneja, Registrar, MDU, Rohtak at MDU, Rohtak.

The function was chaired by Dr Rajveer Singh, Vice Chancellor, MDU, Rohtak.

The MoU will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects, and exchange of experts in various outreach programs conducted by both the institutions in areas of food processing and other frontiers of mutual interest.

The MoU will pave the way for

Horticulture, Sustainability, World

The tea industry can become an engine for economic growth and for restoration of the ecosystems

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) kicked off a global celebration for International Tea Day 2023 at its Rome headquarters.

“In the last three years, the world has faced significant challenges, due to conflicts and economic downturns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in overlap with extreme weather events due to the climate crisis.” QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General said in his opening remarks. “The tea industry can become an engine for economic growth and for restoration of the ecosystems. It can contribute to our fight against poverty and hunger, and represents a major source of income and employment, especially for rural communities,” he added.

The focus of this year’s celebration is smallholder tea producers and Qu underlined their importance for the sustainability of the sector. “We want to celebrate their achievements, but also raise awareness about the significant challenges they face, and the urgent need to mobilise political will to support them,” he said, adding that “we must all work together and leverage all possible means, including increased and more targeted public and private investments, to transform the tea sector.”

Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water, and can bring health benefits and wellness to consumers. Over the past decades, the global tea industry has seen rapid growth, with a remarkably rising number of consumers globally. Especially, tea consumption by the youth segment of the market has expanded.

Global tea production amounts to over $18 billion annually. Around 13 million people are involved in global tea production. It is estimated that in the four major producing countries (China, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka), around 9 million tea farmers are smallholders. 

The tea industry can become an engine

Agrotech, Cold Storage, Company News, Packaging & Labelling, Supply Chain, World

As part of this multi-year project, Shank’s Extracts will expand its facilities to support current and future growth

Universal Corporation announced an approximately $30 million expansion project at its subsidiary Shank’s Extracts, LLC, a speciality ingredient, flavours and botanical extracts company, headquartered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  As part of this multi-year project, Shank’s Extracts will expand its facilities to support current and future growth needs for additional liquid and dry manufacturing, packaging, and refrigerated storage. The project also includes installing other manufacturing capabilities to serve its customers better. “We are excited to announce this expansion in our facilities at Shank’s Extracts that will enable us to enhance and expand the product offerings of our plant-based ingredients platform,” stated George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation.

Universal expressed appreciation for the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the City of Lancaster for their coordination and support of this project. “Shank’s Extracts has a long and impressive history in Lancaster County, and DCED is proud to have worked with the company to ensure they continue to grow right here in Pennsylvania,” said Rick Siger DCED Secretary. “The Commonwealth has a lot to offer to food manufacturers, from our strategic location to our dedicated and skilled workforce.”

Universal Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, operating in over 30 countries on five continents.  We strive to be the supplier of choice for our customers by leveraging our farmer base, our commitment to a sustainable supply chain, and our ability to provide high-quality, customized, traceable, value-added agri-products essential for our customers’ requirements.  We find innovative solutions to serve our customers and have been meeting their agri-product needs for more than 100 years.  Since our founding in 1918, our principal focus has been tobacco, and we are the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Through our plant-based ingredients platform, we provide a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, speciality vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients as well as botanical extracts and flavourings for the food and beverage end markets.

As part of this multi-year project, Shank's

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, India

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs. 72.129 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 90.483 crores for the period ended December 31, 2022.

Sumitomo Chemical India Limited has reported Consolidated financial results for the period ended March 31, 2023. The company has reported total income of Rs. 668.055 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs. 766.161 crores during the period ended December 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs. 72.129 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs. 90.483 crores for the period ended December 31, 2022. The company has reported EPS of Rs. 1.45 for the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs. 1.81 for the period ended December 31, 2022.

Financial Results (Q4 FY2023) – YoY Comparison

The company has reported total income of Rs.668.055 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.671.436 crores during the period ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs.72.129 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs.74.659 crores for the period ended March 31, 2022.

The company has reported EPS of Rs.1.45 for the period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.1.50 for the period ended March 31, 2022.

Financial Results (Year Ended FY2023) – YoY Comparison

The company has reported total income of Rs.3555.819 crores during the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.3088.010 crores during the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs.502.209 crores for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs.423.558 crores for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has reported EPS of Rs.10.06 for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023 as compared to Rs.8.49 for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2022.

The company has posted net profit /

Agrotech, Company News, Finance, India, Start ups

Freshokartz will use this funding to grow its newly launched social commerce super App to reach 100k VLEs

Freshokartz has announced the launch of India’s pioneering social commerce super app, designed specifically for village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs), with the aim of providing entrepreneurship opportunities to aspiring micro-Agripreneurs in Rajasthan, MP and nearby states.

The company has successfully raised funding from prominent investors including RVCF, Real-Time Angel Fund, Nitish Mittersain, Founder and CEO of Nazara, Srivastava P, Founder and CEO of Servify, Marwari Catalyst, Siddharth Shah and others.

Rajendra Lora, Founder, and CEO of Freshokartz, stated, “We have analysed the rural economy and developed a completely tech-based solution. Having served in the Agri Input and Market Linkages services for a considerable period, we have observed recurring engagements with our farmers. The initial traction we have witnessed with our VLE Super App has been phenomenal, with VELs Considering it as the primary source of income. Our vision is to collaborate with over 500,000 VLEs in the next 4-5 years, reaching more than 5 million farmers.”

Currently, the company collaborates with more than 15,000 VLEs in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and nearby states, connecting with over 500,000 farmers. Freshokartz boasts over 50 partners who collaborate to distribute their products to farmers through these VLEs. Remarkably, VLEs earn an average monthly income ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 INR, with the potential to earn up to 25,000 INR.

Freshokartz aims to onboard more than 100,000 VLEs, thereby serving over 1 million farmers by March 31, 2024. The company is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of VLEs and farmers increasing 2-3 times every month.

Nitish Mittersain Founder and CEO of Nazara Tech said, “Founder’s Farming and technology background make them unique to solve farmers problem. Only technology can help in building a scalable model and Freshokartz’s current traction clearly shows that they are growing in the right direction with multiple Agri Related services in a single platform.”

Additionally, Freshokartz is forging partnerships with various organisations, including UPL, BASF, Axis Bank, BankSathi, ICICI Lombard, Balwan, JCB, Jain Irrigations, GrowIT, Shakti Pumps, Solskean Energy, and others. These collaborations aim to offer a comprehensive platform that addresses all the needs of farmers, ranging from soil testing, Agri products, banking and financial services, cattle feed and care, crop advisory, and more.

Freshokartz will use this funding to grow

Agrotech, Company News, Foodgrains, India, Seeds

To foster a meaningful dialogue amongst diverse stakeholders to create a future roadmap to establish Rajasthan as a prominent hub for millets.

FICCI in partnership with Corteva Agriscience, organised a millet conclave – ‘Leveraging Rajasthan’s Millet Heritage’, in Jaipur.   The event aimed to showcase the strengths of Rajasthan in millets production and foster a meaningful dialogue amongst diverse stakeholders to create a future roadmap to establish Rajasthan as a prominent hub for millets. As the Chair of the task force, Corteva Agriscience will spearhead the Millet Roadmap initiative by the Rajasthan Government to accelerate the growth of the millet sector.

Delegates representing agribusiness, hospitality & tourism, policymakers, eminent scientists from renowned research institutions, progressive farmers and academia participated in the conclave. The panelists deliberated to take a holistic and multidimensional approach to address critical challenges in the millet value chain and catalyse an impactful partnership. The discussion also considered establishing a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and possibilities that millets can offer to both sustainable tourism and the livelihoods of local communities.

“Rajasthan with its diverse range of millet offerings in every region, should be promoted as a culinary destination. There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage millets in the tourism industry.” said Shreya Guha, Principal Secretary, Government of Rajasthan

Commenting on the event Jitendra Joshi, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Millets & Director Seeds, Corteva Agriscience – South Asia said, “Rajasthan, as the largest contributor to India’s millet production, holds the key to the success of millet initiatives in the International Year of Millets 2023. Today’s Millet Conclave served as a platform for multiple stakeholders to discuss the roadmap for advancing Rajasthan’s millet value chain. This comprehensive approach will create excellent opportunities for the state’s millet industry, not just locally but nationwide. Millets have proven to be a climate-resilient crop for rainfed areas, enhancing farmers’ income and supporting sustainable agriculture while providing nutritious food for the entire nation. Furthermore, millets open doors to new economic prospects for agribusinesses. Corteva is deeply committed to this cause, and through our extensive research and on-ground efforts in Rajasthan, we continue to add value to farmers and will persist in our dedication to their success”.

Corteva’s efforts in the millet value chain encompass by offering hybrid millet seeds that enhance their existing stress resistance and produce 15-20 per cent higher yield, provide disease resistance ultimately increase farmer productivity and profitability. Corteva’s India Research Centre in Jaipur runs rainy millets, summer millets and mustard breeding program. With partner programme such as “Pravakta” Corteva aims to engages with farmers to train and educate them in all crop management strategies, new hybrids, and empowers them as ambassadors to help train other farmers paving the way for a better tomorrow. In addition, the Antrashtriya Bajra Mahotsav held across the state aim to spotlight ecological benefits and nutritional value of millets to producers and consumers.

The company continues to focus on educating millet farmers about the use of technology-driven solutions that enable them to increase yield productivity and sustainable farming practices.

To foster a meaningful dialogue amongst diverse

AgroPolicy, Bee keeping, R&D

He also inaugurated Bee Box Manufacturing Units- Honey & Other Beehive Products Collection centres, Trading, Branding and Marketing units at Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh & Uttar Pradesh

On the occasion of World Bee Day the Honey Testing Labs were virtually inaugurated by Narendra Singh Tomar, Agriculture Minister. He inaugurated Regional Testing labs- IIHR, Bengaluru, Karnataka, Regional Testing lab, IARI, Pusa New Delhi, Mini Honey Testing Lab SKUAST Kashmir at KVK, Kupwara, J&K, Mini Honey Testing Lab, KVK, Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, Mini Honey Testing Lab, Banaskantha District Co-op. Milk Prod. Uni. Ltd. Palanpur, Gujarat, Mini Honey Testing Lab, College of Agriculture, Pashighat, Arunachal Pradesh; Mini Honey Testing Lab, NIFTEM, Sonipat, Haryana; Bee Disease Diagnostic Centre, FCRI, Hyderabad, Telangana.

On this occasion, he also inaugurated Bee Box Manufacturing Units- Honey & Other Beehive Products Collection centres, Trading, Branding and Marketing units at Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh & Uttar Pradesh.

During the World Bee Day celebration, an Exhibition with over 100 stalls was set up by Beekeepers, processors and different stakeholders of the beekeeping sector to showcase the diverse varieties of the honey bee and different products in the beekeeping sector. More than 1000 farmers, beekeepers, processors, entrepreneurs and all stakeholders associated with honey production attended the programme.

Diversified agro-climatic conditions of India provide great potential for beekeeping/ honey production. India is producing about 1,33,200 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of Honey as per 2021-22- 3rd Advanced Estimate. India has exported 74413 MT of Natural Honey to the world worth Rs. 1221 crore ($ 164.835 million) during 2020-21. The scientific technology being adopted for increasing production and testing of honey by maintaining quality standards for national and international markets and promoting the production of other beehive products viz.; bee pollen, bees wax, royal jelly, propolis & bee venom. This has facilitated the beekeepers to increase their income and increased demand for honey and beehive products both in the domestic and international markets.

He also inaugurated Bee Box Manufacturing Units-

AgroPolicy, Animal Health, Dairy, India, Live Stock

Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong were infected out of which 200 and 1200 respectively have already recovered

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, AH and Dairying acts promptly to address concerns of livestock farmers of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, as suspected cases of LSD (Lumpy Skin Disease), a devastating disease of Cattle and Buffaloes are reported.

Parshottam Rupala Union Cabinet Minister for the FAHD directed for prompt action on the letter of the Member of Parliament from Darjeeling Raju Bista about his concerns on the reports of rising cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI responded swiftly and has taken all necessary steps for providing technical and financial support in close coordination with State and district officials of AHD.

As per the verifications from the field, there are no deaths of cattle due to LSD in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong were infected out of which 200 and 1200 respectively have already recovered. Treatment of other infected cattle is underway including ring vaccination of cattle in affected areas to check the spread of the disease. There are no reports of LSD in sheep/goats in both the districts and the infection is reported mainly in unvaccinated cattle. However, the situation is under control.

The Department has been implementing various measures for the control of the disease which are under Surveillance, The Department has already formulated the surveillance strategy through Exit Plan and circulated it to all the states. Diagnostic facilities are readily available in the region and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Kolkatta has been authorised and financially supported for surveillance of cattle through PCR testing of LSD and the same was communicated to the state.

Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and