The contribution of goats to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012-13 is officially estimated at nearly Rs 22,000 crore and that of sheep at over Rs 10,000 crore. This is despite huge losses suffered by goat and sheep owners because of the frequent outbreaks of a fatal viral disease called Peste des Petits Ruminants or PPR. It has a mortality rate of 50 to 85 per cent. Nearly 30 per cent deaths of goats and sheep are attributable to PPR, though these numbers are not reflected in the official records since most cases of this infection go unreported. With better health care, the share of small ruminants in the GDP can increase perceptibly.
The PPR virus is similar to the viruses that cause the dreaded rinderpest disease among cows and buffaloes, distemper disease in dogs, and measles in human beings. Its symptoms include fever, discharges from the eyes and nose, disturbed breathing, cough and foul-smelling diarrhoea. Like other viruses, PPR is also highly contagious, spreading through contact and secretions from sick animals. Goats are more vulnerable to this infection - that is why it is also referred to as the "goat plague".
A possible reason this malady has been neglected is that goat and sheep farmers - being poor and unorganised - are not articulate or demanding. The awareness about this virus is also low. Consequently, there has been no focused nationwide programme to control or eradicate PPR, although the country has all the resources required to do so - good indigenous vaccines, diagnostic laboratories and vaccine manufacturing industry. The local vaccine is said to be highly effective and gives a long-lasting immunity. It is also not too expensive - one dose costs just Rs 2 to Rs 2.50. The installed vaccine production capacity is enough to meet the domestic demand and even export it to neighbouring countries, which face a similar threat to their small ruminant sectors from the PPR virus.
According to S K Bandyopadhay, an animal husbandry expert who played a key role in the development of indigenous PPR vaccine, it is possible to wipe out this hazard but the initiative has to come from the government's side. Fortunately, there has been movement in this direction thanks to the formation of a National Scientific Forum for PPR eradication involving various stakeholders, including scientists, government agencies and vaccine producers. The details of the proposed forum were discussed in a national conference on PPR disease, organised in Delhi by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Union animal husbandry department. Some other national and international bodies, notably the UK's Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine and the Pune-based BAIF Development Research Foundation, were also associated with this move. This forum is expected to formulate and implement a concrete plan to stamp out this ailment. More importantly, it will promote awareness among goat and sheep farmers about the disease, its symptoms and the available means for its prevention and cure.
The World Organisation for Animal Health is also understood to be formulating a programme for PPR eradication from South Asia. These initiatives can hopefully reduce goat and sheep mortality. The upshots of these efforts will range from strengthening the livelihood security of goat and sheep farmers to augmenting the availability of animal products to soften the spike in their prices.
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