News & Announcements

Modern approaches and use of Nanotechnology are required for sustainable parasitic control; Says Karnataka Veterinary Varsity VC Dr.Renuka Prasad

Parasitic control among livestock is more important in developing countries since it will affect the heath and productivity of the animals. Recently wherein many of the conventional approaches of parasitic control are on the verge of failure and anthelmintic resistance is emerging in a big way, novel approaches including applications of Nanotechnology are required for parasitic control in the Country Says Karnataka Veterinary Varsity VC Dr.Renuka Prasad. Dr.Renuka Prasad made this statement during the inaugural address of 24th National Congress of Veterinary Parasitology and National symposium on ‘towards food security through sustainable animal production and integrated parasite management’ held at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Mannuthy Campus on 5th February 2014. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Department of Veterinary Parasitology of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy and Indian association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology is organising this Seminar with the support from Department of Science and Technology, Kerala State Science, Technology and Environment and NABARD. Global warming, frequent climatic changes, changes in the ecosystem and biodiversity lead to anthelmintic resistance in tropical countries. Genetic and biological methods are very effective in controlling sustainable parasite management. Countries like United States are well advanced in this sector. Traditional methods can be replaced by modern biotechnological and molecular methods for sustainable results. Globally where 870 million people are undernourished, improvement of productivity is a major concern for all developing counties. Veterinarians can play a key role in this sector by adopting modern diagnostic and treatment protocols for control of parasitism in the country. Eco friendly measures to control both endo and ecto parasites are the need of the hour. Integrated parasite control is essential for sustainable animal production to maintain food security in the country. Application of nanotechnology can be explored for getting sustainable results; Dr. Renuka Prasad added.

Dr. B. Ashok IAS, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University during his special address emphasised the importance of modern diagnostic methods and innovative tools in the field of Veterinary education and Research. University is planning to launch a Post graduate diploma in informatics and management for the undergraduate students through technology enabled mode. This will pave way for improving the employability of Veterinary and Dairy science graduates in the country. This will be a unique venture in the country; Dr.Ashok added. Dr. K. Ramaswamy, Assistant Dean of Research, University of Illinois, USA delivered the keynote address. He suggested that it is high time to move from conventional diagnostic methods to parasitic vaccine production.

Retired professors of Department of Parasitology Dr.K.Chandrasekhara Panicker, Dr.Madhavan Pillai and Dr.George Varghese were honoured during the inaugural session. Dr. P.K. Sanyal, the President of the Indian association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology presided over the function and Dr. S.K. Gupta, Secretary of the association presented the annual report. The Director of Academics and Research, KVASU, Dr. M.R. Saseendranath released the Compendium and Finance Officer Dr.H. Subramanian offered felicitations. Dr. P.C. Saseendran, Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy welcomed the gathering and the Organizing Secretary Dr. K. Devada proposed vote of thanks. Eminent parasitologists delivered the keynote address. Nearly 300 Scientists and Research scholars across the country are attending the three day Symposium.

Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan, Publication Division