Kathmandu, Mar. 5: Fasciolosis or liver-rot claims some 70 per cent of buffaloes in the mid-hill region of Nepal causing a loss of some Rs. 1,685 million every year.
According to a survey of 1972, 50 to 90 per cent of buffaloes in the mid-hill region contracted the disease causing a loss of some us $ 20 million, while a study carried out in 1993 incurred a loss of some us $ 30 million. As compared to other animals, buffaloes are more likely to contract the disease.
Despite public awareness about the disease and investment of some 60 per cent of the budget for eradication of livestock diseases, there is no decline in the cases of fasciolosis.
The disease spreads from the grazing ground and hay before and after harvesting crops. Sluggishness, weight loss, reduction in milk-producing capacity, etc are the symptoms of the disease.
A research jointly conducted for the past four years by the Agriculture Research Station Pakhribas (ars-p) and the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (ctvm) with the assistance of Department of International Development (dfid) of the united kingdom shows that extra feed supplements can be a viable alternative to drug treatment in alleviating the effects of fasciolosis in growing ruminants, provided it is of medium protein content (about 14 per cent).
But, high protein supplements, E. G. 19 per cent crude protein such as oil seed cakes and fodder legumes were not suitable alternative to drug treatment.
Chief veterinary officer of the livestock Services Department Animal Health Division Dr. Shambhu Narayan Mahato, ctvm experts, and Dr. B. Pakhrin and D. B. Subba of the ars-p expressed these views at an international workshop on “strategies for feed management in areas endemic for fasciolosis” jointly organised by the ars-p and ctvm of scotland here today.
Joint Secretary at the ministry of Agriculture Dr. S. K. Shrestha, inaugurating the workshop, said it is necessary to control fasciolosis which farmers can also identify.
Director General of the Department of livestock Services Dr. Pralhad Sapkota, from the chair, noted that livestock farming contributes 31 per cent to the gross agriculture production.
Various other speakers including chief of ars-p Dr. K. R. Regmi and narc executive director Dr. D. Joshi also expressed their views at the function.
Some 75 persons had taken part in the day-long workshop.