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Food of animal origin is vital to nutritional security, says the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Tamilnadu

Animal food products including milk, meat and egg are essential to ensure food and nutritional security of common man. It is imperative to streamline strategies to reduce discrepancy between sixty percent of people with excess food at their disposal and forty percent deprived of food, the principal secretary of the Tamilnadu Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan IAS said while inaugurating the national seminar on ‘Food Adequacy and Climate Change: Strategies for Sustainable Food Production’, held at Hotel Dream City auditorium, Pattikkad on November 3rd and 4th. He reiterated the significance of one health approach in addressing the emerging challenges in human health care.
 
Dr. Robinson J.J. Abraham, President, AMST presided over the inaugural function. Dr. Joseph Mathew, Registrar, KVASU delivered the key note address. He conferred life time achievement award to the retired Professor George T. Oommen and released the compendium of the seminar. The former Professors of Meat Technology Unit, KVASU were honoured during the occasion. Dr.B.Sunil, organizing secretary welcomed the gathering and Dr. V. Appa Rao, General Secretary, AMST offered vote of thanks. A host of scientists across the country deliberated on various aspects of sustainable food production in six separate technical sessions.

Slaughter house wastes can be potential reservoir of diseases and may lead to health and environmental hazards unless recycled and processed efficiently, said the chief guest, Dr.A Kowsigan IAS, Thrissur District Collector in his valedictory address. Dr.B.Sunil, Professor and Head, Department of Livestock Products Technology and Meat Technology Unit gave an overview of the seminar deliberations while Dr. V.N. Vasudevan presented the report and recommendations. It was observed that the areas of priority were, Agribusiness incubation for small and medium scale entrepreneurs; Industry academia interface; development of technology innovations, infrastructure and skilled man power in processing and packaging sectors; research on management practices to cope up heat stress in dairy and meat animals; safety aspects of functional, novel and ethnic foods; innovations in neutraceuticals for developing high value novel foods and dietary supplements from marine sources, enforcement of proper quarantine of animals destined for slaughter through improved diagnostic and laboratory facilities;  application of One health approach to address emerging and re-emerging food-borne health hazards; energy efficient management of slaughter house waste; improving traceability in the food supply chain and programmes to improve consumer awareness on food quality and safety. Dr. N. Ashok, Director, Academic and Research, KVASU; Dr. K. M. Syam Mohan, Finance Officer, KVASU; and Dr.C Latha, Dean, Veterinary College, Mannuthy offered felicitations. The awards were distributed by the chief guest. Dr. K. P. Sreekumar, Chairman, Organizing committee delivered the welcome address and Dr.George T Oommen, President AFST, Thrissur Chapter offered vote of thanks.