The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Ongpangkong North Block held a training session in Ungma Village on “Bio-Security and Disease Prevention in Livestock Farming”, aiming to help farmers implement affordable measures to protect their livestock and prevent disease.
Dr Nemjemyanger Kubzari, Farm Manager at SCBF A.H & Vety Services, led the session and explained the importance of biosecurity in reducing the risk of disease spread. He emphasized that biosecurity is not just about preventing external diseases but also about maintaining the overall health and productivity of livestock. He advised farmers that implementing a few simple practices can drastically reduce the risks of disease, while also ensuring their animals remain healthy and the farm remains profitable.
One of the first recommendations he made was isolation and quarantine for new animals. Dr Kubzari explained that introducing new livestock to a farm without isolating them first could lead to the rapid spread of diseases. He suggested farmers quarantine new animals for at least 21 days to monitor their health.
When it comes to traffic control, Dr Kubzari stressed the need to restrict access to the farm. Limiting who enters and exits the farm significantly reduces the chance of diseases being carried in by people, vehicles, or equipment.
Sanitation was another critical area he addressed.
Dr Kubzari emphasised the farmers to clean the farm with potash powder by mixing with water, use bleaching powder 10-20 gm per 5 litre of water or use bio-acid by mixing with water @2ml/litre of water.
Dr Kubzari explained the value of a footbath farm in preventing pathogens from spreading across the farm. He recommended using a disinfectant like bio-acid or potash in the footbath to ensure that the boots or shoes worn by farmers and workers are disinfected before they enter any animal areas.
For feed management, Dr Kubzari advised farmers to keep their food storage areas inaccessible to rodents, birds, dogs, cats and any wildlife. He encouraged the farmers to mix small amount of company feeds to their food and to repeatedly check for and dispose off mouldy or spoiled material.
In his advice about the disposal of dead animals, Dr Kubzari emphasized the need for prompt disposal to avoid attracting scavengers, which could spread diseases. He recommended burying carcasses in an approved disposal pit or using composting methods to safely handle dead animals.
Dr Kubzari also discussed the importance of de-worming livestock every three months to keep parasites in check. Lastly, Dr Kubzari touched on the importance of vaccinations, specifically for diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF). He stressed that vaccinating animals is one of the most effective ways to protect livestock.
During the session, farmers had the opportunity to ask questions. Many raised concerns about the proper timing and dosage of iron injections for their livestock. Some asked about the Artificial Insemination (AI) process and whether the department provides vaccines and medicines. Dr Kubzari provided detailed answers to all questions, offering practical solutions tailored to the needs of local farmers. He also addressed concerns about livestock insurance and discussed the procedures related to tagging animals for identification purposes.
Watisenla Imchen, Block Technology Manager of ATMA Ongpangkong North Block, chaired the program. A total of seventeen farmers attended the session.