In news– A formulation consisting of herbal ingredients like Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Nagod (Vitex negundo) has been found to be effective in combating tick infestation among dairy animals.
About the new technology-
- Farmers who depend on dairy animal production are compounded by livestock ailments like tick infestation.
- These external parasites are found widely in cattle sheds across all geographical regions and proliferate rapidly.
- This causes tick worry, loss of appetite among animals causing reduction in milk production, thereby lessening farmers’ income.
- These parasites are vectors of systemic protozoan infection, threat to dairy animal health & productivity.
- Presently, farmers rely on chemical acaricides that are costly, have to be used recurrently due to the nature of parasites.
- This raises input costs, and seldom farmers, particularly small, marginal farmers, get rid of this vicious cycle of seeking chemical acaricide.
- Hence, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) -India, an autonomous body of the Department of Science & Technology, has developed, standardized a formulation comprising common herbal ingredients like Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Nagod (Vitex negundo) (mixed in the ratio of 3:1).
- These medicinal trees are widely known among indigenous communities, a common part of the medicinal system in treatment of various ailments.
- The formulation is easy to prepare and effective against hard tick infestation and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Sp. the etiological parasite in cattle.
- The interface with Pune Zilha Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Maryadit, popularly called Katraj Dairy, Pune helped to undertake front line demonstration of farmer-friendly technology at Daund, Shirur, and Purandar taluka of Pune district, and capacity-building activities were undertaken.
- Farmers themselves can develop the formulation at the farm field.
- Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, College of Veterinary Science, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, College of Veterinary Science, Hassan, Karnataka has also recommended this in-situ model of alternative technology for scaling up in the respective states.
Source: PIB
