Eminent researchers in veterinary pathology and allied fields across the country congregated at the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Central Agricultural University for the three day Veterinary Pathology Congress 2019, which kicked off today.

The Congress was inaugurated by Prof. H.D. Narayanaswamy, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries University (KV AFSU) in the presence of Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and Prof. Matti Kuipel, Michigan State University, USA. 

Speaking at the inaugural address, Prof. Narayanaswamy said that veterinary pathology is not confined to pathology alone but has taken into its fold research in allied fields as well as drug discovery, safety studies, animal virology and toxicology. He further said that emerging and re-emerging diseases are a challenge not only in veterinary pathology but in human pathology as well. He stressed on the importance of arriving at conclusions based on rigorous research supported by diagnostics.

Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Prof. M. Premjit Singh who also addressed the session pointed that in the North Eastern regions where land holding patterns are fragmented and small, an integrated farming system wherein livestock farming is factored with agricultural farming concurrently can help realise the vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. He further said that the North Eastern region is not plagued by the malaise of farmers’ suicide which is a curse which affects the rest of the country due to the practice of farmers in the region taking up animal husbandry and cultivation at the same time, a practice that has been handed over generations among the communities in the region. He harped on the importance of indigenous breeds of livestock and local species of crops and said more research in these areas would yield dividends as they are seen to be much more resistant to diseases and pests.

The three day programme has in its fold - the 16th Annual Conference of Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists; the 10th Annual meeting of Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists and a National Symposium on 'Advances in Veterinary Pathology for fostering one health, food security and environment protection' to be held conjunctly. The Congress awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists to - Prof.H.D. Narayanasawmy, Vice Chancellor KVAFSU; Dr. B.P. Joshi and Dr. Arvind D. Ingle.

Eminent pathologists, leading scientists from other para-clinical disciplines and field professionals from all over the country are participating in the event to share their views and implement new developments in the field of epidemiology, evolution, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of diseases. The Conference is looking for new approaches and scopes to thoroughly review the scientific as well as clinical aspects, molecular diagnosis, control and prevention of animal diseases keeping in view the one health concept with the ultimate aim to reduce economic burden on livestock and poultry farmers by providing highest quality diagnostic services thereby ensuring productivity and food security.