.: Survey Statistics :.

Avian Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is a prestigious institution under Department engaged in disease diagnosis, disease surveillance, and extension activities. This institution started functioning in 1979 and is located at Manjadi, Thiruvalla. Now ADDL has expanded its horizons by being elevated as a Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory under Chief disease Investigation Office, Palode having jurisdiction over the four districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki, tackling diseases of animals and birds.

Major ongoing activities:

1. Laboratory diagnostic services and forecasting of major diseases

2. Outbreak management

3. Disease investigation

4. Disease surveillance including Avian Influenza - The work include forecasting of Poultry Diseases, epidemiological study, collection and preservation of data, specimens, monitoring the health status of livestock and poultry and quality of products and by-products and extension education and training programmes for veterinarians, paravets and farmers by conducting camps, symposia, discussions, seminars etc.

5. Advising treatment strategies for control of disease

6. Monitoring health status in poultry and livestock farms

7. Guidance to farmers on maintenance of healthy flocks and profitable poultry production and management

8. Conducting training programmes, awareness camps, symposia etc

9. Collection, preservation and despatch of samples to higher laboratories for confirmatory diagnosis

2. Rinderpest Eradication Laboratory, Palakkad

This Laboratory was established under the Rinderpest Eradication Scheme in 1965 at Palakkad, as part of the National Rinderpest Eradication Programme along with 16 check posts, 6 vigilance units, 2 mobile units, 2 mass vaccination squads. In 2004, the Country has been declared free from Rinderpest and now Sero surveillance, stock route search, border control measures, clinical diagnoses and prevalence of RP and RP like diseases are undertaken under the scheme.

Since then, RP laboratory was converted as a Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and is brought under the control of Chief Disease Investigation Office, Palode as a part of standardizing the diagnostic facilities of the Department.

Present activities:

Apart from the clinical surveillance and disease investigation through Rinderpest Vigilance units and Mobile vigilance units, the RP Laboratory also carries out Investigation of disease outbreaks, Disease Diagnosis and Outbreak management, Forecasting of major diseases, Surveillance of major existing as well as emerging diseases, Periodic monitoring of health status in Govt. livestock and poultry farms,Training of Field Veterinarians, Conducting awareness programmes, camps, Collection, preservation and despatch of samples for National surveillance of certain diseases like Avian Influenza, BSE etc., Stock route searches, Serum collection from villages identified by NPRE and from villages adjacent to forests and wild life sanctuaries and Monitoring at border check posts.

3. Disease Investigation Office, Kannur

This institution is functioning along with the District Veterinary Centre campus at Kannur. Re-cently the laboratory has been upgraded as a Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory under Chief disease Investigation Office, Palode with a view to look after the disease conditions of the northern districts of Kerala. The DIO is an officer in the cadre of Assistant Director.

Major activities

B. INTENSIVE CATTLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

This project was established with the view to step up milk production by improving the local poor yielding animals by cross breeding. There are 9 Intensive Cattle Development Projects (ICDPs) in operation in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kottarakkara, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Aluva, Mala, Palakkad, Kozhikkode and Kannur. The head quarters of the project is at Thiruvananthapuram and is looked after by a Deputy Director.

CATTLE STERILITY OFFICE

The Cattle Sterility Office situated at Alua in Ernakulam district is functioning with the following major objectives.

* Screening of crossbred cows, Heifers and Buffaloes to assess infertility problems.

* To investigate the causes leading to infertility problems in these animals.

* To rectify the cause of infertility by treating these animals.

* To publish data on the diagnosis, treatment, results achieved and to suggest ways to modify the breeding and management practices.

* To estimate minerals and hormonal level of blood/serum in animals for diagnosing infertility problems and to suggest proper treatment for the conditions.

C. FARMS UNDER THE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT

The farms of the Animal Husbandry Department act as demonstrational farms for farmers and animal husbandry entrepreneurs and provide practical training to Internship trainees from Veterinary Colleges, Livestock Inspector Trainees, students of the Vocational Higher Secondary courses, and school students. Farmers attending various training programmes at the LMTC's are also being given hands-on training in these farms.

Cattle farms under the Animal Husbandry Department are intended to function as a model to the public to learn scientific practices in animal husbandry and production of clean milk as well as being a source of quality milk, calves, farm manure, etc.

There are 4 cattle farms under the Department.

1. District Livestock Farm (DLF), Kudappanakkunnu.

2. Jersey Farm (JF), Vithura.

3. Jersey farm Extension Unit (JFEU), Chettachal.

4. Buffalo Breeding Farm (BBF), Kuriottumala.

Details of Livestock Farms under AHD

Goat farms under the animal husbandry department are rearing different breeds of goat like Malabari, Attapadi Black, etc. The Agali Goat Farm is maintaining a stock of Attapadi Black. The remaining five farms are engaged in the conservation and propagation of the Malabari breed. The primary objective is to facilitate the conservation of local germplasm. As part of the conservation and propagation programme, the Department intends to start 100 satellite goat units comprising five does and one buck each. The secondary objective is to produce kids and supply them to the interested farmers. There is now a positive trend among youngsters regarding animal husbandry activities especially goat rearing, since goats are highly prolific and profit can be made within a short period of time.

There are 3 Goat Farms and 3 Goat rearing units under the department.

1. Goat Farm, Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram.

2. Goat Farm, Attappady, Agali, Palakkad.

3. Goat Farm, Kommeri, Kannur.

Goat rearing units

4. Goat rearing Unit, District Livestock Farm, Kudappanakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram.

5. Goat rearing Unit, Jersey Farm, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram.

6. Goat rearing Unit, Buffalo Breeding Farm, Kuriottumala, Kollam

Pig farms under the Animal Husbandry Department are functioning as production and demonstration units to farmers. The primary objective is to supply good quality piglets of exotic breeds and crosses of them to interested farmers. As pig farming is considered to be a lucrative enterprise by many farmers, demand for good quality piglets is on the rise.

There are 7 Pig breeding units and I Pig breeding farm under the department.

1. Pig Breeding Farm, Kappad, Kottayam.

2. PBU, Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram

3. PBU, DLF, Kudappanakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram.

4. PBU, BBF, Kuriottumala, Kollam

5. PBU, Thalayolapparambu, Kottayam.( Non functional)

6. PBU, Kolani, Idukki.

7. PBU, Angamali, Ernakulam.

8. PBU, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur

9. PBU, RPF.Mundayad

Poultry farms under the Animal Husbandry Department act as commercial farms for the production of good quality layer chicks suitable for backyard rearing. Chicks are supplied to egger nurseries as well as interested farmers. The eggs produced in the farms are sold to farmers both as hatching eggs and table eggs. The farms can also act as demonstration and conservation units for rare and fancy breeds. It is proposed to start such units in the District Livestock Farm, Kudappanakunnu, Central Hatchery, Chengannur, RPF Malampuzha and RPF Mundayad. The breeds proposed are Aseel, Kadaknath, Naked Neck, Polishcap, Bantams, Brahma, Millifleur, Muscovy ducks, geese, guinea fowl, etc. There are 10 Poultry farms under the department.

1. Central Hatchery, Chengannur.

2. Regional Poultry Farm, Kudappanakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram

3. Regional Poultry Farm, Kureeppuzha.Kolla, (Turkey Farm)

4. Regional Poultry Farm, Manarcadu, Kottayam.

Regional Poultry Farm, Koovappady, Ernakulam. Regional Poultry Farm, Malampuzha, Palakkad. Regional Poultry Farm, Chathamangalam, Kozhikkode. Regional Poultry Farm, Mundayad, Kannur. District Poultry Farm, Athavanad, Malappuram

Details of Poultry Farms under AHD

Quail Production Units

There are three Quail Production Units under the Department. The poultry farms engaged in rearing quails provide parent stock, hatching and table eggs, and impart practical training and other related services to farmers.

The Quail Production Units under the Department are

♦ Central Hatchery, Chengannur,

♦ Regional Poultry Farm, Chathamangalam, Kozhikkode

♦ District Livestock Farm, Kudappanakkunnu

The Turkey Farm at Kureeppuzha, Kollam is the only such farm under the department. It functions as a demonstration and propagation unit and sells poults and eggs for hatching and table purposes.

The Duck Farm at Niranam is the only duck farm under the Department. Ducks of exotic breeds like Vigova super and Khaki Campbell are maintained in this farm. Conservation and propagation of indigenous breeds like "Chara" and "Chempally" are also given due consideration. The farm is poised for large-scale development into a centre of excellence in duck farming.

Rabbit rearing Units

There are 3 rabbit rearing units under the department. They are at

□ District Livestock Farm, Kudappanakkunnu.

□ Buffalo Breeding Farm.Kureeppuzha

□ Regional Poultry Farm, Chathamangalam.

Exotic breeds like Soviet Chinchilla, White Giant, Grey Giant, Angora and Silver Fox are reared in these units.

Fodder Production

Agricultural sections of all farms are engaged in fodder production to meet the requirement of the farms and function as demonstration units for farmers, trainees and entrepreneurs and also retail selling outlets of fodder slips to farmers. The department intends to act as a facilitator to grow fodder in all available land owned by the government/local bodies so as to reduce the production cost of the farm produce. As non-availability of good quality fodder in required quantity is the major constraint in dairy production in the state, fodder production schemes are being

given top priority in large and small holdings.

D. SPECIAL LIVESTOCK BREEDING PROGRAMME - SLBP

Calf feed subsidy programme (CFSS) under Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP) has been implemented by Animal Husbandry Department since 1976 to increase productivity in the dairy sector is giving excellent results. It is being implemented through the local bodies from 1997 onwards. The objectives of CFSS scheme is to provide extension support, adequate health and Insurance coverage and good quality feed at subsidized price to the growing Cross Bred Female Calves of below poverty line farmers for a period of 28 months or till its first calving whichever is earlier.

Crossbred female calves of 4-6 months age group enrolled under this scheme will be given feed and insurance coverage at subsidized rate till calving or till 32 months whichever is earlier. The scheme envisages scientific calf rearing programme through scientific feeding management and disease control measures. Thorough field level extension and monitoring programmes will further augment productivity in the dairying sector of the state.

Average first lactation yield of SLBP cow is I I litres per day as against 6 litres per day for non SLBP cow and the average age of attaining puberty in SLBP cows is 17 months as against 27 months in non SLBP cows. Age at first calving is 26 months in SLBP heifers where as it is 36 months in non SLBP heifers.

Reducing the age at first calving of crossbred heifers is the major objective. Usually heifers attain puberty beyond 2 years. Through scientific feeding and management practices it can be reduced to 15-18 months. Age at first calving can be reduced to below 2.5 years.

E. INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK AND MARINE PRODUCTS

Livestock and Marine products inspecting Laboratory (LPIO) was established in 1983 to enforce Quality control of Meat and Marine Products exported from different parts of Kerala. The health certificate issued by the LPIO ensures that the livestock and main products for export to foreign countries are of superior quality and that they are free from any disease condition. LPIO also provides advisory service on hygiene and sanitation to various processing units all over Kerala. This institution is functioning under the supervision of a Livestock Product Inspecting Officer in the cadre of Deputy Director.

F. EPIDEMIOLOGY (ANIMAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE CELL)

The epidemiology cell of the department was established in 1982 to implement the 'Animal Disease Surveillance Scheme'. A Deputy Djrector is in charge of all the activities of this office.

To collect, compile, analyse & interpret data on the prevalence of various animal diseases. To forecast possible outbreaks of major animal diseases. To study the pattern of various epidemics in different weather conditions. To identify areas of various deficiencies and toxicities. To work out economic loss due to due to various diseases. To work out cost benefit ratio involved in treating diseases.

G. LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT TRAINING CENTRES

Livestock Management Training Centres were established with a view to impart technical knowledge and to give scientific training in Animal Husbandry Disciplines. There are six Livestock Management Training Centres in the State.

1. Livestock Management Training Centre, Kudappanakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram functioning under the supervision of a Principal Training Officer in the cadre of Additional Director.

2. Livestock Management Training Centre, Aluva is functioning under the guidance of a Deputy Director.

3. Livestock Management Training Centre, Mundayad, Kannur is functioning under the control of Principal Training Officer in the cadre of Joint Director.

4. Livestock Management Training Centre, Malampuzha, Palakkad is established in 2000.

5. Livestock Management Training Centre Thalayolapparambu, Kottayam was established in 2006.

6. Livestock Management Training Centre, Kottiyam, Kollam recently started.

These centers impart training to farmers on scientific management of production units to en- hance production and training to women to prepare themselves to take up small domestic units of Livestock and poultry of manageable size to supplement family income, provide technical knowledge and relevant information on various schemes implemented in the Animal Husbandry sector with a view to uplift the weaker sections of society and help the unemployed youth to gain self employment.

Trainings offered in these centers are:

5. Broiler Production

7. Backyard Poultry Production

The trainees include farmers, social workers, Ex-servicemen, School students, Housewives extension workers and people belonging to SC/ST communities. Training to Veterinary and Para Veterinary staff of the Department and Vocational Higher Secondary Course certificate holders and I I months training to Fresh Livestock Inspectors are also conducted.

H. IT DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Animal Husbandry was one among the first Government Departments to have started computerization in the state. The Department had developed a Unix based Software in co-operation with the National Informatics Centre in 1994, which was a Management Information System for monitoring and evaluating the performance of various Animal Husbandry Programmes. The Department has been using the Software successfully since then. However, it was felt later that the above said software was quite obsolete and inadequate to cover all the activities of the Department. Hence, the NIC was entrusted with the task of developing a new Web based Software on Windows platform to cover all the activities of the Department.

New web based software named "AHEAD" has already been developed by the NIC, Thiruvananthapuram, the trial run of which is scheduled to be commenced soon. The software covers the following areas.

c. Animal Price monitoring.

d. Laboratory information.

e. Personal Information.

f. Rearing of Calves.

h. Stock and Stores.

The Software consists of a suit of applications supporting the various organizational functions of the Department of Animal Husbandry.

The major modules of version 1.0 of the product are the following.

a. Animal breeding information system. (CABRIS)

b. Animal Health Management Information System (MISAH)

c. Animal Price Monitoring System. (APRIMS)

d. Budget Monitoring System. (BUDMOS)

e. File Movement and Tracking System

f. Laboratory Information System.

g. Personal Management System. (PISAH)

h. Plan Monitoring System. (PLANMIS)

i. Rearing of Calf Monitoring System. (ROCMIS)

k. Stock and Stores.

I. Training Details Monitoring System.

m. User and Security Administration.

The NIC has already imparted training on the usage of the Software for 100 officers of the Department during the last year. Training for 150 officers including DAHO s and other senior Officers will be conducted during this year.

All the 14 District Head Quarters and District Veterinary Centres have ready connected with the Directorate. All the Taluk level institutions will be brought under connectivity during this year. The ultimate aim of the Department is to extend connectivity up to grass root level, i.e. up to Veterinary Dispensaries.

I. STATE ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD

Animal Welfare Board of India is an autonomous body established in 1962 by the Government of India in accordance with section 4 (I) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (59 of 1960) to promote the cause of Animal Welfare in the country and presently under the control of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The Board had directed State Governments to constitute State Level Animal Welfare Boards.

J. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD

□ To keep the law (PCA Act 1960 and amendment rules) in force in the State for the prevention of cruelty to animals under constant study and advise to government.

□ To advise the Government on the making of rules under this Act or directions with a view to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally and more particularly by when they are being transported from one place to another or when they are now as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity or confinement.

□ To advise the Government or local authority on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to decrease the cruelties during transportation and to lessen the burden on draught animals.

□ To take all such steps with agencies like SPCAs, AWOs, Animal Traders, Meat Vendors etc for the construction of animal shelters, water troughs etc in markets, transportation routes, provision of food to animals, purchase of ambulance for providing veterinary assistance to ailing and abandoned animals etc.

□ To advise the government or any local authority for the construction/maintenance of modern slaughter houses and to alleviate unnecessary pain and suffering in the pre slaughter stages as far as possible and to implement humane killing methods during slaughter in observation of PCA Act 1960(Slaughter Houses) Rules 2001.

□ To co-ordinate the work of Animal Welfare Organizations (association or bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals or for the protection of animal and birds).

□ To give financial assistances to animal welfare organization in the state on specific project proposals, to encourage the formation of more animal welfare organizations, which shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the Board.

□ To advise the Government in matters relating to veterinary medical care and other assistances to veterinary hospitals whenever the Board thinks it necessary to do so.

□ To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opin