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Animal Health Care AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS

2.67 With the improvement in the quality of livestock through cross breeding programmes, the
succeptibility of various diseases including exotic diseases has incurred. Better health care facilities
are provided through a network of 33,303 polyclinics/hospitals/dispensaries, 25856 veterinary aid
centres supported by about 250 disease diagnostic laboratories are functioning in the country. For
the production of vaccines, there are 27 veterinary vaccine production units. The primary emphasis is
on clinical services and as a result, endemic diseases such as Foot and Mouth Diseases (FMD) are
still prevalent. With increased trade activity and extensive cross-breeding programmes, the chances
of ingress of exotic diseases into the country have increased.

2.68 The state is implementing a programme for Foot and Mouth disease control with the assistance
of Government of India. Also Brucellosis has now emerged as a new threat to the livestock wealth
ofthe State. Helminthiasis control also needs attention. Worms and other internal parasites cause
considerable economic loss to the farmers. Data regarding outbreaks, attacks and deaths of major
contagious diseases of animals in Kerala for the period from 2008-09 to 2013-14 are given in
Appendix 2.34.

2.69 Even though vaccinations were carried out, frequent outbreaks were reported which lead to
production loss to farmers. Further strengthening of the laboratories under the sector needs to the
taken up on priority basis from the improvement of diagnostic and testing facilities.

2.70 The reports of minor attacks of major diseases like Anthrax, and Hemorrhagic Septicemia are
also reported and are more in numbers compared to previous years. 17 deaths due to antrax and 36
of Hemorrhagic Septicemia reported during 2013-14. The State has already eradicated the dreadful
disease of rinderpest and no outbreak was reported during 1994-2014 period. Two outbreak of black
quarter also reported and no death was reported during 2013-14.

Production of Vaccine in Veterinary Biological Institute, Palode

2.71 The Veterinary Biologicals, Palode is the sole agency engaged in the production and distribution
of animal vaccine in the state. The production details of vaccines manufactured here are shown
in Appendix 2.35. During 2013-14, poultry vaccine production was 367.52 lakh doses as against
260.95 lakh doses during 2012-13 and registered 41% increase in the production.The production
of livestock vaccine increased by 151 per cent from 2.67 lakh doses during 2012-13 to 6.70 lakh
doses. Number of vaccinations done during 2013-14 was 28.85 lakh Nos for livestock and 102.56
lakh Nos for poultry. Compared to previous year, vaccination to cattle decreased by 4.62 per cent and
vaccination to poultry decreased by 6.25 per cent. Anti Rabies Vaccinations done in dogs decreased
from 1.43 lakh to 1.27 lakh during the year under report. Details are given in Appendix 2.36

Prices

2.72 Average price of important inputs and products of livestock sector for the last five years is
presented in Appendix 2.37 and almost all the products recorded increase in prices during the
period. Compared to 2012-13 there was increase in the price of all categories of meat during 2013-14.
During 2013-14, the highest increase was in the case of Chicken (Broiler) (12.93 per cent), followed
by pork (11.84 per cent). Compared to 2012-13, the price of fowl-white egg increased by 10.51 per
cent, brown egg by 12.71 per cent and duck egg by 9.57 per cent during 2013-14. Corresponding
increase during the previous year was 17.73 per cent 11.84 per cent and 22.46 per cent respectively.
The rate of hike in egg price was low during 2013-14 compared to the year 2012-13.

Economic Review 2014