The Hindu Online Edition
Monday, Jul 17, 2006
India develops bird flu vaccine
Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a vaccine against bird flu. This was announced here on Sunday by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at the 77th annual general meeting of the ICAR Society.
The vaccine was developed at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal, the only facility in the country to conduct tests for the H5N1 variant of bird flu. It was entrusted with the task of developing a vaccine by the ICAR after the Avian Influenza outbreak in February. The ICAR provided Rs. 8 crore for the purpose.
ICAR Director General Mangala Rai said this was a big step forward as till date, India was importing the vaccine. "Viral diseases, such as the Avian Influenza, do not recognise boundaries, and the development of the indigenous vaccine will go a long way in tackling bird flu effectively. Since the disease has got recurring possibility, further research would focus on developing another type of vaccine," she said.
Mr. Pawar said the National Agricultural Innovation Project would increase the income of farmers and ensure livelihood security. The project would be launched later this month with World Bank assistance.
"The project envisages targeting the rural poor and disadvantaged groups such as women as beneficiaries of agricultural technology generation and dissemination in consonance with the Government's objectives, as expressed in the National Policy on Agriculture," he said.
On stagnation in wheat production, Mr. Pawar said remedial measures ought to be evolved to improve productivity. "Improving growth of the total factor productivity calls for enhanced investment in research, extension and in creation of necessary infrastructure leading to the efficient use of energy, inputs and other resources."