MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
(1903·2003)

SYMPOSIUM ON "VETERINARY EDUCATION AND

SERVICES IN INDIA - GLOBAL CHALLENGES"
7th • 8th July 2003

TAMIL NADU VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

Chennal, Tamil Nadu, India
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 SYMPOSIUM
ON
"VETERINARY EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN'
INDIA - GLOBAL CHALLENGES"

Chief Patron
Dr. R. KADIRVEL
Vlce-Ch~ncellor

Patron
Dr. P. THANGARAJU
Dean, MVC
Organising Secretary
Dr. B. MURALIMANOHAR
Members
D~C.BALACHANDRAN Dr. V. BALAKRISHNAN
Dr. K. NANJAPPAN Dr. T.N. GANESH
Dr. A. V. OMPRAKASH Dr. R. THANGAMANI
Dr. BHASKARAN RAVI LATHA Dr. S. VAIRAMUTHU
Dr. S. SELVAM

\ \
\
 Contents
Page No.
SESSION -I
, Present status of Veterinary Education and Services in India

Lead Papers
• Present Status of Veterinary' Education and Services in India 1
-V.D: Padmanaban
., Current Status and Future Prospects of Veterinary Education in India 4
-RManickam
• Current Status ofVeterinary Education in India 11
-So Suresh Honnappagol
• Current Status and Challenges in Veterinary Education 15
-E. Nanu -.
Other Papers
1.1- , The Perspectives .ofVeterinary Educ~tion : A,SWOT Analysis 21
- S.S. Kulkarni and A.P. Bhokre
1.2 Animal Sciences Curriculum - Concerns and Perspectives '22
-A. Ashok; C. Soundararajan and T. S{vak'Umar
1.3 Women and Veterinary Education - A Case 'Study of 31
Madras Veterinary..College
- G.D. Anantha Vijayakumari a1J~ S. Prathaban
1.4 Values, Career Expectations and Experiences of Lady 37
Students in'Veterinary Science
- Kirty Sirothia, Sofiali Borkar, Vaishali Pawade, Arun Sirothia,
Nitin Fuke and Dilip Joshi
1.5 Vets Vision on Veterinary Education 42
- A. Dhafdrii Klimar and Atun. A. 8/ia
1.6 A Comparative Study on the perfonnance ofundergraduate 46
students ofMadras Veterinary College under Trimester and
Semester System ofEducatio!l '.
S:
- Rajini, RA., Sridhar, R. Leida, v., Madhurl; Maheiidran, M', .
and I.Alfred Jayaprasad
1.7 Higher Education in Veterinary Science 48
- V. Ramakrishna
1.8 Challenges to Veterinary Education in India 52
- Ankita Killedar and A.K Jain
1.9 Changes inVeterinary Education in India: Road to the Future 53
- P.S. Mohan Kumar, Sheba MJ. Mohall Kumar,
.R. Sridhar and V. Leela
1.10 Thoughts on the Development of Specialities in Veterinary Medicin~ in Indi~ 57
- Sheba MJ. Mohan Kumar, P.S. Mohan Kumar, R. Sridhar
and V. Leela
1. 11 Veterinarians in Army; Retrospects and prospects 60
.. Lt. Colonel. K.N. Yadav
1.12 Tele'V~' Medicine- The changing phase of Veterinary EducEttion 64
- G. Kathiravan and M Thirunavukkarasu
1.13 The Inevitable Changes for Veterinary Clinical Teaching in India 67
- T.N. Ganesh
1.14 Demography ofthe Veterinary Graduates (1978 - 2002) frOIn the facuity of 70
veterinary 'in~dicine and animal science, universityputra (Pertanian) Malaysia
- S. Vellayan
'\

SESSION .. II
Revitalisation of Veterinary and Animal Sciencecurriculu)1l
for su~tainable rural d~velopment,
ILead Papers

• Constntints and opportunities\for a sustainable animal resourCe 71

development in India \
- V. Ramakumar
• Revitalisation ofVeterinary Curriculum for Sustainable Ruralbevelopment 105
- P. Thangaraju \ . :
Other Papers

2.1 fThe·Tre:nds in Modern Education :-.A Special,Reference to

Veterimuy Education
- 4.R Bhokre and S.S. Kulkarni
..

2.2 Veterinary and Animal Sciences Curriculum - ~ introspection. - 74

- S. Abdul Basith
2.3 Animal Health Economics - The Emerging Field for the Future 76
- M lhirunavkkarasu

2.4 Revitalising Fisheries Science Curriculum for Rural Development 83

- R Jayaraman
L

2.5 . Revitalisation ofVeterinary and Animal Sciences Curriculum for 89

Sustainable Rural Development
- Syed Sajjad Hussain and T.~.S. Ganai
2.6 Emerging Disciplines ofinte~st to Veterinmy Education: 93
Veteriruuy Business Management ~d Ani.mal Welfare Ethics
- B. Sureshsubramonian
2.7 Modification in the Veterinary Degree Curriculum for the 99
Sustainable Rural Development
- D. Kathiresan, R Uma Rani and S. Sivaseelan
2.8 Non-Formal. y:ete~ Education, Livestock Farmin~ Training, Trainee 100
- Kanimozhi a.n.d D. Thyagarajan
2.9 Revitalisation ofVeterinaIy and Animal Sciences Curriculum for 101
Sustainable Rural Development
-MR Muralidharan
.,.
2.10 Adoption ofSustainable Livestock Practices forRural Deyelopment 104
- C. Soundararajan, A. Ashok, R Palanidorai, M Sekar
and r. 8ivakumar

SESSION-ill
Impact ofIPR-WTO-on Veterinary Education and Services in India

Lead Papers

• Export ofAnimal Products - Present Indian Scenario 111

- A. T. Venugopalan '. i

. "--.... - T _• Impact ofGI.QbaUzation and Intellectual Property Rights on 115

--t Animal Husbandry Development and Veterinary SerVices .
- N. Balaraman
 • IPR and Veterinary Sector 141
- Subhendu Chakrabarti
Other Papers

3.1 Impact ofWTO on Veterinary Education in India 119

- M. V. Subba Rao, Madhava Rao, Ch. Purushotham
3.2 Veterinary and Animal Science Education in Economic 126
Transition - An Indian Perspective
- S. Samantaray and A. Prasad
3.3 WTO (World Trade Organization) and the Indian Poultry Industry . 133
-Rojini, RA., Sundaresan, A., and!. 4/fredJayaprasad
3.4 Dynamic Changes in Veterinary Curriculum in the Scenario of 140
Free Global Trading ofLivestock Products
- V. Vivekanandan

SESSION -IV
CPCSEA - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation -
3R',s concept - Veterinary E~ucation and Research

Lead Papers

• The Institupon ofCPCSEA and the need for alternatives in

Animal Experimentation
- Jagannadham Challa
• The Relevance of3R's in the Present Day Biomedical Research 157
- A. Jagannadha Rao \
'
"
•
CPCSEA - 3R's Concept - Field Realities 164
- v.N. Appaji Rao \.
Other Papers
4. 1 Predictive Health Management ofHyperimmunized Equines 169
with a computer software 'Equisam: ,.
- A. Samad, Murdeshwar Pra~h~nth'and Pawalkar, D.A.
4.2 3R's and theA!temativesin VeterinarY'Anatomy
- P. V.S. Kishore ~

4. 3 Altem~tives to AnimalExperlmentation 3R's Concepts - An Overall View

- S. Usha Kumary and Geetha 'Ramesh.
 LATE ARRIVALS - V

5.1 Classical Studies on Veterinary Training Institute's Trainees 187

- A. Dutta Gupta
5.2 Foeus on Veterinary and Anllna1 Science Education for 190
Sustainable Rural Development
- S. Thilagar
5.3 Veterinary Service and World Trade 194
- B. Sethuraman
5.4 Impact ofWTO on Veterinary Services in India 199
- S. Bala Ravi
5.5 Globalisation ofTrade and its Implications on
Livestock Sector in India and Tamil Nadu 208
- C. Ramasamy and K.N. Selvaraj
5.6 Integrated Po~yculture Farming • 226
- G. Gandhi

,
,,
•
On tjJelialf of cramif !J{pau o/eterinarg &
.9lnima{ Sciences t{.lniversitg tlie organising
committee - Sympos.ium-on ((o/eterinary Uucation
ana Services in Inaia - qfo[Ja{ CIia{{enges JJ

tlianR§ tlie cramif 9{pau State Councif for

Science & 'Ieclino{oBY for partia{{g funaing
tlie- pu[J{ication of tliis compenaium
 SESSION -I
Present status of Veterinary
Education and Services in India
•
 PRESENT STATUS OF VETERINARY EDUCATION AND
SERVICES IN INDIA
V.D. PADMANABAN
Former Registrar
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences ,Universiy
Chennal- 600051

Veterinary Education in India started in Agricultural schools and during the

last half of 19th century: Veterinary schools were started and some of them
were merged to start the Lahore Veterinary College, followed by Bombay
Veterinary College and Bengal Veterinary College. The turn of the century saw
the establishment of the now famous Madras Veterinary College in 1903 at
Vepery. This was followed by the Bihar Veterinary College at Patna. Before
independence, two more Veterinary Colleges, one at Hyderabad in 1946 and
another at Mathura in 1947 were established. Veterinary services, however,
preceded Veterinary Education, by import of qualified personnel from England
mainly to look after the British cavalry. In fact in ancient India, Veterinary services
were provided in Maurya dynasty and was elaborated by King Asokha to a·great
extent, mostly based on Ayurveda. _ __ __ .... _ __, _.
Present status of veterinary education
At present, Veterinary Education is provided by public sector only and
there is no Veterinary College in private s~ctor. Attempts to start Veterinary
Colleges by priv~te sector in Bangalore and il) Goa did not fructify. At present,
there are 35 Veterinary Colleges, two colleg~s of Animal Sciences, 10 colleges
of Dairy technology and 9 colleges of Fisheries in India. Attempts are on to
establish some more Veterinary Colleges. The overall admission strength in all
these colleges is around 2100'. Tamilnadu and Maharashtra account for more
number of seats than any other state. Besides, these, for post-graduate education
there is a college at Akola and indian Vetetiriary Research Institute, Izatnagar
and National Dairy Research .Institute, Kamal offer post-graduate courses in
their various campuses.
The curriculum in undergraduate education has been standardized
consequent to the introduction of Veterinary Council of India Act and
implementation of the Regulations. Minimum number of credits prescribed by
the V.C.I. is' said to be followed by all the Veterinary Colleges, though the
Departments offering the courses are harned differently in different Colleges.
The colleges themselves are named differently in different places. The emphasis
of eduGation-and faciljties available va.ry widely. The,staff~~ student ratio "availability
of classrooms, equipments, trained manpower etc. require vast Improvement.
The degree offered is almost uniform in the country. This is contrary to the

1
•

recommendations of the National Commission on Agriculture which ,in! 1976

recommended five degree programmes viz. B.V.Sc., B.Sc. (Animal Production),
B.Sc. (Dairy technology), B.Sc. (Meat and Poultry technology) and B.Sc. (Wool
technology). Experience, over the past three decades has proved that this '
recommendation is not workable. The Hisar experience in starting a degree'
programme in Animal Sciences ended up in a failure. However, Dairy education
has come to stay as a separate entityfrom Veterinary Education.
At post-graduate level and at doctorate IEwel, divergence still cqntinues
and it Is hoped that Veterinary Council of India would address itself on these
issues and would come up with appropriate "regulations.
Whether Veterinary Education should be with Agricultural Universities or
should there be separate Veterinary Universities has been adequately answered
by the performance of Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
despite contrary report by a high level committee mostly dominated by Agriculture
educationists. Even this committee fearing the inevitable, have recommended
autonomy to Veterinary Colleges and Fisheries colleges under Agricultural
University set up. The integration of agriculture and animal husbandry should
be at the field level and not at the e~ucation level. The dominance of agriculture' .
over animal husbandry must end esp~clally in view of the phenomenal positive
growth in animal husbandry sector and negative growth In' agriculture sector
,despite poor tJucjget and poor planning at policy level.
Present status ·of Veterinary Services In India
Like Veterinary ,~ducatlon, Veterinary $eniices were aiso being mainly
provided by the public ,sector. But, the private sector· has entered-the arena and
their role Is on the Incr~ase .
.' ,
National Comml~~lon Qn Agriculture recommended public sector to provide
the Veterinary Servl.ces based on the anlr:nal populat!on. lhls recommendation
was never followed in any ,state or by the Govt. of India. Consequent to the
phenomenal growth In animal population, public sector contribution In providing
Veterinary Services should also Increase. Fortunately, private sector Is gearing,
up in providing auxiliary servld~s and trying to provide core services to a little
extent. '
With majority oflivestQck owners below poverty line, livestock being their,
main bread winner, It Is imp~rative that Ithe~e poor farmers and landless labourers ~
be provided with adequate public sect6rguarantee. in the form offree Veterinary
services atlheir door step so that they can augment'production thru the iivestock.
., Development of poultry'sectoN:is';~mclndustry has~dePleted·the,poPulatio~
of desi stock to a considerable extent and ~ack yard poultry is becoming less\
- \
2
 and less. In the poultry sector, it is more than clear now that it is only the wealthy
people, who can ~urvive the vagaries of market trends.
We have attained the first position in milk production in the world. The
second best country, U.S.A. is providing several billions of dollars in subsidy for
their milk and beef industry. It is high time that we also step up our efforts on this
issue. This would result in spurt in production and we must be geared upto
export the surplus. For this adequate laboratory facilities to provide the required
certificates for export with global accreditation is a must.
Even though at national level, there are vacancies at the field level and at
the college level for qualified veterinarians and teachers respectiveoly, the apathy
of the Govts in filling these posts, have resulted in lack of job in public sector
and private sectors for the Veterinary graduates. The negative effect of this
would be and is the reduction of number. of applicants to Veterinary Colleges
and qualified doctors earning far less than they need to. The positive effects are
the spu.rt in P.G. admissions and in tHe innovative ways in which the Veterinarians
get themselves employed. In metros, there is acute competition b_etween
Veterinarian~ in providing c~re to the animals resulting in the improvement in
the quality of care provided and in the utilization Of specialists as ~~l}iQf
consultants, There is also spurt in the number of graduates seeking alternate
avenues and going abroad to enrich their knowledge and prospects.
Future
Future is a nightmare for all public sector services. Governments have
come to the conclusion that they cannot provide all the facilities Private sector
participation is going to be a reality. As for admission level, we can draw lessons
from Medical Education and Engineering Education. Today a medical graduate
with a basic degree alone cannot survive .well. P.G. degree and specialization have
become a necessity. In Engineering education, similar situation is coming up.
As .for admission level is concerned, the question will be answered by the
famous reality of supply and.demand. As long as there is demand for a s'eat in
Veterinary College, the states should continue to provide thern. Let us not thwart
the opportunity of an innovative person seeking admission by reduci,ng the seats.
Let each student rem~mberthat he got the admission because the state provided
adequate number of seats. The Engineering faGUlty is answering this que~tion right
now. There a~ more seats th~n the number of applicants. Let us wait and watch for
their reaction and Ie, us consider this issue when we come to that stage.
Future would allow only the survival of the fittest. The ultimate yardstick
for~ theJerm fittest would be·provided by the 'Iivestock~owners ·and not by any
other means. Let each one of us be aware of this fact and gear ourselves up to
become the fittest.

I
 CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF
VETERINARY EDUCATION IN INDIA

R.MANiCKAM
Dean
Veterinary College and Research Institute
Namakkal 637 001, Tamil Nadu

"Since the main function of veterinary education is to supply

veterinarians and animal health assistants in the number
and of the quality required, an assessment of veterinary
man power requirements is essential to meaningful
planning of veterinary education and to decisions on the
network of training institutions and thelr capacltles'"
India possesses 475 million heads of livestock which 'constitutes as
.high as 24 per cent of world livestock population. and 307 million poultry in
addition to 22 million dogs ( Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics, GOI,1999 ) . To
provide optimum, effective and meaningful health care programmes to such a
huge populatioflof IivestocRand poultry, India needs at least 90,000 veterinarians
at the rate of 5000 Livestock Units (LSU) per veterinarian. The available strength
of veterinaria~ at present is little over 30,0000. Because of this wid~ gap
animal health care'.suffers badly, productivity is Cjlffected, saf~ty of food from
animal is not ensured which ultimately ends up with disastrous consequences.
Livestock development programmes are also affected and expected growth'rate
in livestock and poultry s.ectors is not accomplished.
Current Statu$
. , I
In India, almost all States have established one or more veterinary colleges
A total of 38 veterinary colleges ate functioning with the total admission strength
of about 2200 students. Annua~ly about 2000 veterinary graduate,S are produced.
Veterinary Council of India Is th~regulatory body to monitor the under,.graduate ~
programme In the entire country to ensure the minimum standard of veterinary
education. But In reality, the standard and quality of veterinary graduates varies
significantly from college to college and state tq state due to so many inherent problems
\ . ,

and constraints. The Veterinary Coun'cil of India is only the regulatory body with out -
extending any financial support. FinanCial'support is from the State Govt. and ICAR.
Major problems fa~ by the colleges are acute dearth of funds, lack of manpower, very
poor;infra structural, facilities to offer hands,on training;fmd"poor-library; lab,.farm.and\
dinical facilities. As a result of this the quality, of education suffern. \
. , \.

4
-
Basic Issues
The veterinary colleges in India suffers as a result of dual control, one is
Veterinary Council of India and the other is State Agricultural Universities (
SAUs) which are under the control of ICAR, the substantial fund providers for
education, research, and extension activities. SAUs have to function under
the direction of the ICAR. The State Governments have got administrative control
over SAUs as they receive major funds and function under the administrative
directions of the concerned State Govt. Though SAUs are considered
autonomous bodies for taking independent decisions on matters relating from
day today affairs of the university with the norms set by the governing body of
the University, the Board of Management, in reality it is not being practiced for
obvious reasons. Fixing of eligibility criteria for admission to Undergraduate
veterinary proramme is by the concerned· State Govt and is widely varied from
State to State. There is no apex body to fix uniform standard for admission to
veterinary profession. Though VCI has fixed minimum standards for admission,
it is not being followed by the State Governments as education comes under
the purview of State Governments. As a result of which the quality of standards
varie$ widely_which ultimately refJects on ttle quality of veterjnary gra.d_u.a.t~~!
Admission procedure also varies from Sate to State. resulting .in varying
standards of student quality. No apex body is available to control and monitor
all these issues.
Another major issue is that there is no adequate coordination and
cooperation among various bodies responsible for controJiing and monitoring
the affairs of veterinary education in India. In the educational system some
degree. of flexibility is required which is lacking in our system. Based on the
growing trend and neec;j of the society, curricula and syllabi needs,to be revised
periodically also has not received due attention. Facilities such as laboratory,
library, hostel, clinical, farm, information and communication technology,
adequate, staff, facilities for extra curricular activities should be made available
as per the stipulated guide lines. Close monitoring of teaching and evaluation
is absolutely essential to ensure quality of veterinary graduates. Administrators
in the helm of affairs are responsible for quality assurance.
Dimensions and Contributions
The true dir;nensions and contributions of veterinary medicine with regards
to food safety, biomedical research, public health, ecosystem management,
emerging diseases, agro and bioterroristn, and as the broad compon~!lts of a
.glob~l-fc,od system - are' littleappreciated or' u-nde'rstoo-d. Concurrently, the
veterinary ,profession itself may, at times, also fail to optimize its involvement

5
and response to these broad themes, which represents critical needs of society.
The beginning of the 21 century finds the veterinary profession at a profound
time in its history - a time of unprecedented opportunity to meet the difficult
contemporary issues and challenges to safeguard both human and animal health ..
In order to meet this challenge, the profession will need to first transform itself
and develop an aggressive agenda to effectively respond to number of societal
concerns and dimensions.
Manpower Planning
Veterinary man power planning is an important point to keep in mind when
redefining and updating veterinary education in the recent trend towards privatization of
veterinary practices in developing countries with the aim of enlarging the services
available to small farmers. A method for planning veterinary manpower needs based
on the number of livestock units ( LSU ) has already been used in some countries more
or less successfully .Not only does this method allow comparison between countries,
but it can also help to highlight the influence of different systems of husbandry, its
application to predictthe number of veterinarians required perthousands of LSU needs
careful consideration. However, it must also be recognized that there are a
number of additional factors to be included in the equation such as public
recognition of veterinary skills in related areas; growth of small animal practices
; increasing invQlvement in public health: tighter control in international trade;
public interest in animal welfare and ethical matters; and the increasing number
of women in the profession. These factors came totlight as a result of
miscalculations in recent years by veterinary associations.
Other factors that are 'applicable in the context 'of developing countries
like ours is the size of the human population ; gross national 'product; tolal
value of the livestock industry; affordable needs; competing ,supporting and
auxifiary workforce availabie; and politica(imperatives. .
Estimating the number of veterinarians needed is not all that is required. The
knowledge and skill they must have in order for the profession to be equa'- to its task
must also be ,considered .In the con'ext of developing national programmes, it is important /.
that national veterinary associations play a strong role in determining professional
development. Such associations should have credibility at national level and command
sufficient respect to be invited by the appropriate government department to ·give its .
vie~ on all animal health and production1matters including education. .
Minlinum Stand~rd Required . '. \
IThe minimum requirements- for veterinary admission has ·to be maae\
mandatory for all States. Realizing the imperative need, the World Associatiol") \
of Veterinary Educ~tion ( yvAVE) was created under auspices of World Veterinary \
, , 6
Association ( WVA ) at the time of XXXlllrd World Veterinary Congress, in
Montreal, Canada As one of its first actions ,WAVE created a steering committee on
veterinary educatio"n with the objectives of establishing a s!Jrvey of veterinary education
through out the world and proPQsing recommendations to help teaching institutions
achieve their goals, as well as establishing and maintaining expertise in the area of
veterinary education. The committee also assists WAVE in its efforts to coordinate
globally the quality of veterinary degree studies in the world. Hence, its first task was to
propose minimum requirements in veterinary education that not only had to meet
certain standards but also had to nave enough flexibility to be adapted to the various
sitUations in the world. A draft of the minimum requirement was presented to the
General Assembly of the WVA and was adopted in May 1992.
It is clear that the minimum requirements were prepared by educators
without any formal ponsu'ltation with int~rnational agencies or experts other
than those on the WAVE committee on education and were intended to provide
relevant authorities and teaching Institutions throughout the world with a tool to
help them produce better qualified veterinarians with high technical and
professional standards. The role of veterinarians varies sometimes widely, from
country to country, but the veterinary profession, like most other profession, is
always an amalgam of technical skills and conceptual abilities; both are important
and both are necessary. AWareness of the dangers inherent to the loss of one
or the other of these attributes is critical.
The minimum requirements are es;:;entially PQncerned with the
professional .levels of education. The professional education, postgraduate
education and research are all linked together. It also recognized that the
minimum requirements will have to be revised and improved regularly ,although
the main challenge will be their implementation. The main objective of introducing
minimum requirements is to ensure and produce skilled individuals to be useful
in any part of the world.
Ne_itt\erWAVE norWVA has ~ercive power or money to invest in improving the '
quality of veterinary education where needed, as in vogue in similar bodies, but they do
have moral power. However, the Steering Committee of Veterinary Education of WVA
proposed Self Evaluation System which would be monitored and confinned by volunteers '~
from intemational organiZations. In the area, duly appointed for the purpose by the
Veterin~ry Education Committee of WVA and certifiCate on the status of a school,
college or faculty would be granted by the WVA.
Graduates for Private Veterinary Practice
<

The changes advocated to prepare gradUateS -furarewardTngprival$

veterinary practice vary from country to country depending on its level of economic

7
deyelopment. In the developing world most livestock industries are small to
moderate. The veterinarians to serve in this type of setting would have to be a
farm animal practitioner with much training in farming system ( dairy,sheep,goat
and pigs ),nLltrition, disease prevention and control strategies ,reproduction,
including pregnancy diagnosis, artificial insemihation therapeutic and surgical
services and vaccination schedules.
Veterinarian for Public Service
Traditional veterinarian in public service'require, rnore skills, sorne of which
are provided by the standard veterinary curricu.la ,including g099 clinical and
epidemiological skills, a thorough understanding of th~ principles of medicine,
parasitology, microbiology, pathology, and toxicology as well as understanding,
of livestock production systems.'ln addition to the above veterinarians are to
have more general competencies such as good communication skills ,both oral
and written,and an understanding of rural society appropriate to the particular
country, the adult learning process ,extension methodology and the local legal
and regulatory frame work. Staff supervision and motjvation is another important
skill that is usually acquired on the job. These technologies use a combination
of_epidemi,ological, statistical ,and eGollomic tools and, must be underpinned by
detailed knowledge of livestock and livestock trading patterns as well as the
behaviour of different disease agents in different livestock products. Increasing
concern worldwide for the environment and for the preservation of global
biodiversity is creating new areas for veterinary involvement, particularly in the
management ofwildlif~ and endangered species.
Designing Veterinary Curricula
All these external features indicate a ne,ed for flexibility in designing
veterinary curricula for a variety of reaSOI)S, including the rate ,of change and
conflicts between the global food production requirements €Ind competition for
scarce resources by the world's population. It is predicted widely that veterinary
requirements will be more precise in the coming decades. The changing role of
veterinarians in public service plus external pressure call for some modifications-
in the approach to veterinary education in order to help students cope with
knowledge explosion and future changes likely to occur. Suggestions for curricular
changes include provisions of group and integrate subjects that logically relate"
to one another; greater emphasis" on. principles rather than rote learning and '
better selection of key information that must be committed to memory, as Well
as more emphasis on practical training and total system rather than various
'corrlponents of those' systert:ls'. ' "" \
, , \

I \
8
 It is evident from the above that it is increasingly difficult to provide
veterinary students with information in undergraouate courses to prepare them
for any of the many roles they may need to play in public and private practice.
The course would become too long and too cumbersome for effective
development of the required skills in emerging, graduates. A more flexible method
may be encourage, a basic science course with some mandatory subjects,
followed by a basic veterinary course dealing with principles and practical
teaching in both pre-clinical and clinical subjects, livestock production and ,animal
behaviour, as well as moduie,s for specialization in various areas, which may
come directly after basic course or be taken up at a later date.
As a result of mismatch between intake by the public sectors and number
of graduates produced unemployment becomes a major problem which indirectly
affects the quality of students who join the proramme . Further, the stu~dents
who are Linder-going the programme also get demoralized since their future is
uncertain. Hence, the future veterinary education programme should aim to
produce graduates wlio should have the confidence of opting for self
employment. The mindset of stUdents should be changed accordingly by
addressing the curricula of veterinary educa~i~,m. The frontier area$.of te,aching,
like -more skill' oriented teaching and learning, alternate methods of teaching
and informal learning techniques. All these novel teaching and learning methods
should be introduced in 'future veterinary education.,
Veterinary GradUates for Field Research
- ,
The aims of fiel~ research are to curb animal disease and increase
animal production,to enhance farmer income and to improve public health. All
these aims are of n~tional importance. To meet these objectives the research
worker can select from an array of methods like surveys, epidemiological studies"
trials and productivity studies. AspeCts of field, studies can be taught at any time
in the undergraduate veterinary curriculum and will be most effective during the
pre-clinical and clinical years. The field research will certainly be multidisciplinary,
requiring the involvement of people and facilities from different sources. Field
research is a broad concept, encompassing work at the level of the small f~rm,
commercial production unit, abattoir or diagnostic laboratory and even at the
National surveillance level. It can involve anyone of a wide range of economic
animals, ruminants, monogastrics and avian species, as well as fish, crustaceans
and molluscs. All have many well-defined problems that are sometimes
influenced by regional (for example, tropical) characteristics. Veterinary schools
,in different regions are increasingly proving their skills by-offering specialized
training portfolios in these areas.

9
Summary
There is a growing demand for veterinarians in India to provide meaningful
and effective health care programme to more than 475 million farm animals,
301 million poultry, "22 million dogs in addition to wild animals and other species
of animals. The present number of veterinarians will have to be increased by
three times to meet out the demand. The number of veterinary colleges available,
their annual intake of students, the minimum quality requirements for entrants
and output of veterinarians, the issues· and constraints faced by veterinary
. institutions, the areas of concentration needed based on the need and future
prospects have been discussed. The quality and effectiveness of research,
education and extension programmes, more than any other aspect of the
development process to determine how well developing countries will feed and
support their growing populations in the uncertain years ahead had been
discussed. The need for constant improvement of human resources at all levels
of production, processing, marketing and support services, as well as the
development or adaptation of new knowledge about these processes through
research had also been highlighted. The national strategies required for the
development.of.educational prog[ammes. (primary; secondary and tertiary) and
how it would ~e constantly evaluated and adjustments made as development
progresses, neY{ knowledge be created or adapted to support all aspects of
agricultural development including improvement of animal production and health
were discussed. The.strong need to develop regional coopyrative efforts so that
veterinary colleges sharing common problems could collaborate and develop
joint programmes to educate veterinarians for research tasks was also discussed.
Better avenues for increasing number of women veterinarians in areas other
than public sectors were discussed. ~

10
•
CURRENT STATUS OF VETERINARY EDUCATION IN INDIA
SURESH .5. HONNAPPAGOL
Director of Instruction (Vety)
Veteri'nary cpllege, Nandinagar,
Bidar-58V401, Karnataka

The age old objective of Veterinary Education for producing a graduate

to undertake practice of Veterinary Mf#dicine has no longer relevant in the present
pretext. The contribution from livestoc~ sector towards Agricultural gross domestic
product (AgGDP) has an incr~asing ~rend as evident by a raise to 23% in 1997-
98 from 14% during 1980-81. On the contrary to this the agricultural sector Is
facing a decline in GOP from 35 to ~60/0 during the period. Livestock not only
ca'teTS \0 \ne ~OOQ 'P10QUc\10n 'ou\ a~so ~mt{j:kld~~(UJ triClagTtL -ptImri CITro WVdTi((;
manure. Thus livestock has emerged as an important source for both income
and employment generation to millions of people. The '90% of our livestock is
being held by landless, small and rflarginal farmers which have made better
distribution of livestock wealth compared to agricultural '.land. Henc~, the
Veterinary acaderjlic,_r.esearch_and ,extension. should mainly focus this. sector
for Integrated economic growth.
Considering the Increase in importance of Veterinary profession in the
country the Parliament enacted Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 (52 of 1984).
With this, the registration at the Veterinary Council became a legal mandate for
a Veterinary Graduate to practice Veterinary ~edicine. Further, for registration
with the council a person should p09sess a recognized qualification.
The Veterinary Council of India designed minimum standards of Veterinary
Education, degree course, B.V.Sc & A.H regulations -1993 under the provision
of Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984. The same have been implemented by
almost all the Veterinary Colleges of the country. The Veterinary Council of
India restricted itself to the framing o~ regulations; however the implementation
part of it was thrown open to the Veterinary colleges. These Colleges intern
have to totally depend upon th~ respective state Governments, State Agricultural.
Universities and Indian Council of Agricultural Research for funding. Due to this
most of the colleges have to face ,good number of problems while implementiqg
the Minimum Standards of VeterinarY Education Regulations. .
Realizing the importance of Veterinary and Animals Sciences in uplifting
th~ rural economy S9m~ Qttt19 $t~!e. Governments took a decisio,n to esJablish
separate universities for Veterinary @nd Animal sdences, Irlspite of o-PPosition
for de-linking the Veterinary and Anirflal Sciences Education from the rest of the

11
 farm edl!cation. It will pe appropriate to mention here that all-round development
of national agricultural production including research teaching and extension
have taken place to a great extent only after disintegration of agricultural
education from the traditional universities. However this radical ch;:mge inspite
of completion of 50 years of agricultural education did not accelerate the ,
Veterinary and Animal Science sector due' to several inherent constraints.
Realizing this setback there were also recommendati~ns to elevate the status
of Veterinary Colleges towards full autonomy under SAU setup.
At present there are three fully functional Veterinary and Animal Science
Universities located at Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharastra in ~ddition to
two deemed Universities like Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
and National Dairy Research Institute Karnal. Further two more states i.e.
Kamataka and Utter Pradesh have also taken decisions to establish separate
University for Veterinary and Animal Sciences. This development will definitely
provide the requisite autonomy and accountability for Veterinary and Animal
Sciences E,ducation, Research and Extension.
At present there are 34 Veterinary Colleges with production of more than
2500 Veterinary graduates per annum.The State wise dlstrlbutions.of Colleges
along with thei.r locations are as follow$.
,
~

No. of
SI.No~ State Location
Colleges

01 Andhra Pradesh 03 Hyderabad, Tirupati & Gannayarm"

02 Assam 01 Guwahati
03 Bihar 02 Patna & Ranchi
/
04 Chattisghar 01 Durg
/ 05 G.ujarat , 02 ,Anand & Sardar Krishinagar
06 Hariyana ',01 Hissar
07 Himachal Pradesh '01 PalanipLir /'

08 JamrTllj & Kasmir 02 ,Srinagar & Jammu

99 . Karnataka 02, . Bidar & Bangalore
10 Kerala 01 " '. Mannuthi
\
' j

11 Madhya Pradesh 02 \ , \ Jabalpur & Mhow

1'2 1 Maharastra 05 , Nagpur, Parbhani, Udgir, \
,,~_oJ~ - '~'--- -, -- \
'_ ~ Mumbai'& Shirwal'
~ __.
" \
13 I Mizoram, 01 .
Aizawal
\

12
-
~' .-1 {'": .. _
14 Orissa 01 Bhubaneshwar
: ~ .
15 Pondichery 01 Pondichery
'16 Punjab 01 Ludhiana
17 Rajasthan 01 Bikaner
18 Tamil Nadu 02 Chennai & Namakkal
19 Uttar Pradesh 01 Mathura & Faizabad
20 Uttaranchal 01 Pantnagar
21 West Bengal 01 Kolkatta
Ali these Colleges have implemented MSVE Regulations 1993 and are
offering BVSc & AH degree programme. As per MSVE Regulations there are
17 teaching departments in addition to a Teaching Veterinary Clinical Service
Complex at every Veterinary College. The minimum admission intake capa,city
as prescribed by Veterinary Council of India is 60 per-annum. The Various teach-
ing departments include
01. Vety. Anatomy & Histology 10. Animal Breeding, Genetics & Biostatistics
02. Vety. Physiology,
"
11. Livestock Production & Management
03. Vety. Biochemistry 12. Livestock Products Technology
04 .. Vety. Pharmacology & Toxicology 13. Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology &
Obstetrics.
05. Veterinary Parasitqlogy 14. Vety. Surgery & Radiology
06. Vety. Microbiology 15, Qlinic~1 Vety. Medicine, EthiC$ &
Jurisprudence '
07. Vety. Pathology 16. Vety. Epidemiology & Preventive
Medicine
08. Vety. Public .Health 17. Vety. &Animal Husbandry Extension
09. Animal Nutrition
The students admitted to BVSc and AH degree programme have to und'ergo
a minimum of 188 c.ourse credit hours spread over 9 semesters followed by 6
months compulsory Internship programme at the notified centers. After comple-
tion of 188 course credit hours' the student has to seek temporary registration
by the respective State Veterinary Council before undergoing the Internship
programme
The total credits' of BVSc and AH degree programme mainly constitute four
components ie., Basic Veterinary, Pre-Production/Clinical, Animal Husbandry
and Clinical Courses. The credit allocation a'iong with the percentage weightage
of these components are given under

13
DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF BVSc & AH CURRICULUM

Components P,rcentag~

1. Basic Veterinary Courses 24 + 19 = 43 22.86

2. Pre-production/clinical courses 29 + 21 = 50 26.60
3. Animal Husbandry courses 25 + 20 = 45 23.94
4. Clinical and other courses 24 + 26 = 50 26.60
Total 102 + 86 = 188 100.00

Following the completion of a decade In Imparting Veterinary education,

as per MSVE regulations the faculties of the Colleges strongly feel that re-
orienting the curricula for B.V.Sc & AH is required so as to produce a fully
competent graduate to meet the emerging challenges. The following points are
to be considered while re-orienting the curricula.

01. The time duration for imparting clinical training to the stUdents needs to
be revised.
02. Relatively less weightage given to the poultry science needs to be re-'
oriented in view of the enormous growth of poultry husbandry into an
. "-
Industry;
03. Thrust on 'information technology and biotechnology with an idea of
global competitiveness has to be incorporated. '
04. A mechanism to regulate the uniformity in the fee structure, internship
allowance and inter institution mobility needs to be brought ih. ~ .
05. Thrust on Continued Veterinary,Educalion so as to bring back the
graduates to abreast their knowledge about the current developments.
I

06. Need to establish In~titute Industrial linkage.

. institutional mov~ment
07. Inter ,
of faculty to conduct tne examinations. _~
08. Faculty training to update the teaching technologies. .
09. Introduction of extra curric\,jlar non,-credit courses like physic~1 education.,
NSS etc., for the overall development of stUdents.
1O. Distanc~ learning system to the school dropouts and farmers in Animal
-i---_. Hu~b~n~._, _ __ _ ___ ._ ___ _ __ _ __ ___ _ ___ . \

'\
14.
'.CURRENT STATUS AND CHALLENGES IN VETERINARY EDUCATION
E. NANU
Dean
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala
~.

r' Veterinary medicine/Science is etched in the literature of historic India.

Livestock had a pride of place In ancient India of around 3000 BC as depicted in
the findings at Mohanjadaro & Harappa. Veterinary hospitals existed during the
period Chandra Gupta Maurya (300-298 Be) and King Ashoka (237-232 Be).
The treatise on horses, 'Aswaryurveda' and on elephants 'Hasthyaurveda' were
documented by the father of Veterinary Science Shalihotra and Palakopya
respectively. Thus Indians had sound indigenous veterinary skills and knowledge
during ancient times. '
Veterinary Schools
It was the British who brought in the concept of the modern Veterinary
education to India. The first army Veterinary School was set up in Pune in 1862
and subsequently as per the recommendations of the Indian Cattle Plague
Com.ml~sion (1871 ),:Civil Veterinary Schools were set up at Hapur (1877), Ajmer
(1881) and Simla (1888), basically to control plague.- "-- "
Veterinary Colleges
The first Veterinary College was started at Lahore in 1882 and the duration
of the course was two years. (In 1930, it was made 4 years). Then the colleges
established were at Bombay (1886), Calcutta (1:893), Madras (1903) and Patna
(1930). We are now celebrating the CenteriaryYear of our p~stigious Madras
Veterinary College. The credit for establishing thesEl' colleges go to
Dr.J.H.B.Hallen. Curtentlythere are 34 Veterinary Colleges iri India and a majority
of them (30) are under the State Agricultural Universities. Again it was the State
of Tamil Nadu which came up with India's first Veterinary University. Now we
have two more Veterinary Universities In West Bengal and Maharashtra and
many more are in the offing.
Initially, all the Veterinary Colleges followed the British system of
education. In the seventies the trimester system was introduced which did not
go down too well considering India's requirements. Now almost allthe universities
follow the semester pattern of education.
As per the Veterinary Council Act, 198, the Veterinary Council of India
was establish.ed, i.n,_198"~._ :r:.h~Y.,;h~veJormul.at~d guideline.s and r:egulati.on$ {or
the"I3:V.Sc. & AH . .degree cour·~e. The establishment Of Veterinary Universities

15
in all states, coupled with the setting up of the ICVR at the Centre will go a long
way in propelling Veterinary education forward.
Our current system of education has been partially successful in churning
out Veterinary graduates to fill in the roles of a Veterinarian in rural and urban
areas. But with the employment scena"rio fast changing, along with changes on
economic and other fronts, it is time to restructureVeterinary education towards
bridging this gap.
Mandate of Universities
The mandate of all State Agricultural Universities is carrying out teaching,
research and extension. Whether we have achieved what was envisaged in all
the three mandates is a question begging an answer. The VCI has laid down
the staff pattern required to carry out teaching. Almost all Veterinary Colleges
are now facing the problem of acute staff shortage and are just about carrying
out the teaching mandate. But then, with the State hardly in a position to fund
the research work, the Colleges will have to look out for external funding to
carry out their research programme. Hence lifting the staff position is of prime
importance in carrying out the mandate of the University.
The challenges before us
It i~ a known fact that the primary mission of Veterinary Colleges is to
produce con:tpetent and compassionate practitioners. It is in fact these products
that we churn out that keeps our colleges running. However, with changes
taking place in every sphere, as also in application of technology in animal
production and diseases with greater understanding of the molecular basis of
diseases, coupled with an ever increasing desire of the public to seek state of
the art services from our institution, requires that th~ training we impart should
also change. This in turn calls for a continuing review and audit of our system
and curriculum.' Application ofthe abundant knowledge base must be tempered
with common sense and "training in deduction reasoning. This requires a change
in attitude of the faculty it\elf.
\

With science advancing at a spectacular pace with application of cell

biology and biochemistry. th~ concept of "One Medicine" is becoming ~ reality.
Regardless of the species. the biological mechanism leading to the disease are
the same. This argues against species specialization as extrapolation of conceptS
across species is becoming very. clear. The following could be our challenges:
1,. How can our profession and our colleges assume a more visible role in the
SOCiety? 2. H<?w to attract the cream of students into our profession? 3. ~ow
blest to ensure a future for- students:who enter·our~profesSion?-4". What are the
9hanges needed in the curricula and administration to cater to this change?\
, \
16
M••tlng the challenges
The challenges of our profession can be met only when we are led by a
'Ieaderwlth vision. Though the primary aim of Veterinary Colleges Is to bring out
Veterinary graduates, we ~re not to neglect the research component for two
reasons.
1. It Is research which can propel our profession Into a position of
prominence at all levels. .
2. With state funding being almost nil, the external sources of funding
alone will keep our colleges running.
If we are to have a pride of place among the public, then our extension
activities cannot be left far behind. For this purpose staff can be appointed to
fulfil each of these mandates and achieving this by rotating the staff. We should
also be thinking of assembling multidisciplinary research team to perform a
comprehensive molecule to whole animal research projects In keeping up with
the trends .In which research Is heading .. The Veterinary CQlleges shQuld also
maintain discipline to provide in depth expertise in application of new techniques
to overcome contemporary problem in animal and human health. Our
backgroundJn animal biology.and,access.to animal models position. us to assume
leadership role in biomedical research.
The faculty in Veterinary Colleges should also be balanced with both
experienced as well as young Scientists so that they can smoothly take over the
mantle on retirement of senior faculty. If they are not properly molded or
Is
developed, which a responsibility of the senior scientist, then there occurs
huge void, which takes years to bridge. '
Changing the status of anlmais

like growing urbanization and concern about environmental deterioration. The .

The status enjoyed by animals are changing rapidly for a variety of reasons

society is now placing higher values on animals and hence places higher social
.

value on veterinary science and an added economic value on veterinary sciene,es.

This change has a profound. effect on veterinary education and profession as
well.
Increased Importance to health and productivity
The society Is increasingly demanding from Veterinarians information
and services, that keeps animals healthy, productive and useful. This calls for
ensuring a significant change in the tasks and functions of the profession for
Whic~ .the students will haVe to be equipped with. . ' . --

17
 Information explosion
There is. quite a lot of information on Veterinary Science curr~ntly existing
to which the public has access to. Hence the Veterinary Colleges and profession
as such should develop information management system so that these
informations are channelised to students and professionals alike ..
Rapidly changing and advancing Science and Technology
The advances being made in science and technology particularly at
molecular level is revolutionizing our ul1perstanding of our life processes, disease
and its control and also increase the power and specificity of all kinds of veterinary
technology, These are areas which require immediate attention especially in
Veterinary Colleges if we are to progressively enhance the ability of Veterinarians
to deal with health and diseases in all classes of animals.
How Is. the profession changing
Veterinary practice will focus more on care, health, Welfare, utility and
productivity of animals rather than diseases and their control. This change in
focus is more rapid with food, laboratory, aquatic and wild animals than with
companion animals. Increasing pUblic 'concern 'about food safety, growing
Importance of companion animals, human"hea"lth'andwell being-and'continuing
importance of zoonoses to human health will lead to Veterinarians being more
actively involyed in human health delivery system.
Changes in Veterinary Education' _ i

Strengthen the undergraduate education in: tune with the changing

times. ' ' -. .

Strengthen the curriculum to emphasize biomedical, and Veterinary

Science along. with an indepthr clinical experience in a practice theme
either in the public or private sector. -
. ; ,
Strengthen instructions relating to health, productivity and utility for ~II
classes of animals.
Structure progammes to educate the students to fill in their complex
public/private sector roles.
Focus the profession~1 educ~tioh process on the ability to apply ,~riij
use the information ratpe_r than the current system of accumulation
and instant (ecall of fact~. -
~ ,Co.rrlbihation of Veterinciry education a!ong with courses useful in
acquiring managerial sRill~fwill greatly ennanc'e"-'tne 'qu'alify-§~d
.'

. \
, \
18

•
 effectiveness of the veterinary graduates.
Greater emphasiS on diseases of animals and their impact on human
health and also tlie role ahd Use Of animals in improvement of health
of human beings. FOr the Veterinarian to playa iarger role In hUmah
health delivery system, the Veterinary ~ducation should equip thern to
do it.
Lower levels of funding do hot necessarily mean that a college's
programme must be of loWer quality, but it might as well be different.
(ir If veterihary educatio-n is to provide support and leadership for the
continued growth and development of the profession, neW and
innovative ways must be found to increase the efficiencY of oUr
educational system which could be attained by
,
a) Using Unfversity academic Units as components of professional
education (or) by contributing to teaching or research in other units.
The areas could include Biomedical Science/Behavioral SCience/
Human Medicine.
-
b) Oev~IQlt~lJi~nces betwe~n vari9us veterinary arid n:tedical ~olleges
with the aim of focusing resources on fewer programmes to
enhance the quality of those programmes. Lesser training
programmes, but of longer duration and enhanced quality. .
c) Adoption of new teaching modes to. enhance the efficiency and
effeptiveness of teachingllearning processes which could include
sharing of human resources among Veterinary Colleges.
In most of our Ve~erinary Colleges, the classroom is a place from where
students are bombarded with information arid facts which the students try to
note down. Our faculty should shift from being a class room presenter to a
teacher. During the process of recruitment, the candidates should be evaluated
on their ability to teach, which is sadly not the case at present.
There is an exponential increase in the scientific information currently
available. The information is usually doubling every 5-6 years.
Hence there is a corresponding pressure to "coverthe material" as in the
past. But the curricula does not provide additional time corresponding to the
doubling rate of information. Hence the faculty is forced to cover the material
by talking fast, giving hand out of materials not covered in the class and requiring
more outside reading. The faculty is now afa point where they are unable to
keep- up this approach. .

19

I
 To overcome this, the faculty will have to give up the concept that
everything has to be covered. Students need to learn the basic concepts, not
every detail at undergraduate level. But they shouid be instilled the methods to
use these basic concepts outside the class room and to manage information,
solve problems and make informed decisions. Hence faculty will have to revise
their motion of "covering the course".
The system of collaborative learning can beintroduced in Veterinary
Colleges.
Veterinary Colleges should establish contacts with a wide ranging livestock
production facilities including aquatic units which may be used as a means to
problem identification and investigation as well as general teaching resources.
Suitably motivating and awarding teachers/scientists with promotions at
the appropriate time and other incentives based on merit.
Our veterinary education is strong the still enjoy a high level of public
acceptance. But to become a vital force, we have to restructure our system to
meet the social, economic, technological and environmental scenario. Far
reaching educational and institutional changes are needed for veterinary
education to meet the challenges of the future. The most important and pertinent
question is how to structure our educational system to support a rapidly advancing
profession'with static or diminishing resources.
As has b.een rightly said, "if we spend I~ss time fretting about ourselves,
our funding and'perks and privileges and more time: thinking creatively abou1
what we can do for·the nation that needs us, we will accomplish more of lasting
value and our public image will take care of itself'.
Hence let us all think and dream creatively about the future of veterinar)
education. I

\
\

.,

20
 THE PERSPECTIVES OF VETERINARY EDUCATION: A
SWOT ANALYSIS
S.S.KULKARNI AND A.P.BHOKRE
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
~. UDGIR. DIST. LATUR. MAHARASHTRA STATE
';'!J..
,y'
."t=.o The tradition of veterinary education in India dates back more than a
': ~entury. It has seen a number of changes and shifts over the years. In these
': years the nation has made lot of progress in the field of animal production.
'However, the contribution of veterinary graduates In this progress is question-
;ble or neglected. Considering the role of upbringing of veterinarians through a
responsible force of education, a SWOT analysis of veterinary education is
intended.
. The strength of - tradition of education, - presence of a sizable number
of veterinary colleges and institutes catering the education, harvesting a crop of
hundreds of veterinary graduates every year, - massive livestock population is
weakened by - absence of long term education policy able to produce job ,
ori-
>
ented, VQg,atj9nal tr~if\lng. - j9bles~ne,~~, - J~ck Qf _f~n~h.~~iasrn and ~~tivj§m i.n
academic fiEild and -'indifference on poiifical a~nd- social-(ronts~ th"e"refore --down
gradation of constructive competition and merit. On the other hand the oppor-
tunities created by - changing food habits, - globalisation of market, - advance-
ments in technology, means and media are all thre,atened by - disappointment
among students and veterinarians due to unemployment, - retrogression of
education due todisuniform and complex admis'sion policies dependent on the
admissions in other professional Institutes lead'ing to filling of the vacancies by
chance seeking students, - deterioration of examination system and - reduced
quest for knowledge!n the pursuit of career building (among staff and students).
- detachment from the profession leading to - apathy among social·elements.
The recommendations of - multifaceted teaching with orientation of
veterinary welfare, curriculum redesigning in long term policy particularly to iden-
tify the needs of changing needs of global policies, - improvement and unifor-
mity in admission procedures to revitalize and attract meritorious students to
the veterinary education, - pressure building over the government agencies for
strengthening the institutes an~ creating opportunities of employment to veteri-
nary graduates. The cQnstitution of fortune Guidance Forum on university level,
for advising the governments in designing education and employment policies
wiIJJ)~ ~,h_QP_ef~l_ s_()!LJti~~ _. " "~, __.~, . __ :.:::_::;__ ::.=.~=-=-___.::::.. --=...::.=;-_ ._,:;,,:,:-,,;,_:::-

21
 ANIMAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM - CONCERNS AND
PERSPECTIVES
A.ASHOK* ,C.SOUNDARARAJAN* AND T. SIVAKUMAR**
Livestock Research Station, TANUVAS Kattupakkam - 603 203~
Participants at the 1991 FAO Expert Consultation on agricultural education
observed that major new developments in world agriculture, advances in science
and technology and changes in population and society require the "integration
of academic learning and development tasks". It was recommended tha1
institutional approaches to decision making incorporate "a more participato~
approach to the planning process" and that "feedback from the users ... in
curriculum review and revision offers an effective way of keeping research and
teaching relevant and interesting",
Curriculum development: an overview
The term "curriculum" is generally understood as the courses 01
programmes of study offered by an educational institution - or put anothel
way, all the activities which students need do ifthey are to finish a programme
of study and achieve the intended learning goals. Curriculum is more than jusj
a body of!<nowledge, a list of subjects to be studied, or a syllabus- it is all the
planned exp,eriences which learners may be exposed to in order to achieve the
learning goals.
A major influence on a curriculum is thei philosophical framework, whict
is adopted during the curriculum development process itself. Two contrastin~
frameworks of curriculum development are the "classical" model and thE
"participatory" model. The classical model has also been referred to as thE
"rational" approach W~ile the particip~tory m'odeJ has been described as thE
"interactive" approach. ,,' I •

The classical/rational approach to curriculum development follows ar

"objectivist", product-o~iented paradigm. Professionals and experts whc
believe ,that they have suffic;:ient technical knowledge to produce the de~irec
product set the aims and obj~ctives of the curriculum. It assumes that there if
agreement by all interested grol;lps (teachers, students, communities, employe~:
on common educational goals 8.nd, therefore, dialogue and consensus buildi~~
among groups are not required \ \ ' .'
, The participatory/interaqtive approach, foll()ws a "subjectivi,st"
process-oriehted paradigm. It puts emphasis on participation arid hiferaclior
I \ \
;* Assistant Professors, ** Professor and\Head
' , \

22
3111 0n g the variou6 interested groups or educational stakeholder$. This includes
'he learners themselves who are seen as having an important role to play in
~urriculum formulatiol1. The goal is to stimulate different actors to participate in
3 dynamic, interactive process that allows their perception6 of the "ideal
:;urriculum" to be made explicit and then made compatible and/or modified as
necessary to produce tne curr\cu\um. 1\\tncusn \nere are O\-S\\flC\ rJi'.\~'Vf)i'I~a\
differences between the two curriculum models or approaches, they are not
complete opposites and curriculum planning may include elements of both.
Towards a new ,pproach to curriculum development
Critical reflection on curriculum development draws attention to the nexus
between curriculum and sustainable livestock and rural development. The current
curriculum at many animal sciences education ins~itutions is based on a high-
input, Industrial livestock model. It is structured into discrete disciplines,
which tend to focus on large-scale"single-crop livestock production systems
designed to dominate the environment. Little attention is paid to an
interdisciplinary, farming systems persp~ctive or to resource conserving
technologies and practices; small farm, polyculture systems and their
sustainable production and marketing needs are .often ignored.
Relevant to local/r~$Jional develo~me~t
Localization ofthe curriculum is a trend juxtaposed With the trend towards
globalization. In terms of incorporating agro ecology and sustainability into the
cumculum, tnls means stud'Jlng ll'iestocks'Jstems at dlffe(ent le'ieLs of COI.'"O.pIJml'.{
- on-farm biological interactions, farm families anc;l Communities, watersheds
and ecosystems and broader socio-economic and environmental systems,
including global ones. It also means, "inserting" local and regional development
problems intothe Curriculum in practica'i ways.
Major factors that affect the teaching of animal sciences at all levels
Urban expansion and marginllization of livestock and rural life
Despite increasing rural populations in most parts of the world and
increased demand for food production, the percentage of the popuiation, which
makes a living directly from livestock, continues to fall. Intensification of
production through improved technology and increased inputs is responsible in
most cases, for increased production, rather than increased numbers of
producers. Rural population growth and increased efficiency in production lead
to increased levelS of Unemployment and underemployment, and a consequent
migratory drift to cities in search of work and better standards of living. The
result is an increasing marginalization of livestock and rural life. This in turn
means fewer animal sciences students with an in-depth understanding of rural
life' ~~d development problems. I ncre-a·Singly,~u-rlfa-rf-Dasea gracuates,wittflittle-

23
 practical knowledge of rural socio-economic factors, are working in rural areas
as development advisors. Often, curricula are developed at the national level
and based on knowledge and skills which are more relevant to urban centres
than rural areas. This requires that education at institutions play not only an
academic role, but also a developmental role that combines knowledge of local
rural. production with modern animal science.
Population growth issues and need to Incorporate these issues into animal
sciences curricula.
Unless rapid population growth can be reduced, additional pressure will
be- put on increasing livestock production in order to guarantee food security.
Increasing population pressure can also contribute to the deterioration of natural
and environmental resources. Institutions of animal sciences education needs
to incorporate population education concepts and principles into curricula since
many animal sciences graduates will become managers, planners, and policy/decision~
makers who need to understand the dynamic inter- relationships between food,
population, the environment and national Socio-economic development.
Rapid scientific progress and the pace of technical change.
Newdevelopments in science and technology have.increased the number
and the depth of subjects important to an underst.anding of animal. Food
processing~nd post-harvest technologies. biotechnology. agri-business
management. marketing and farming systems development are some of the '
new areas which. need to be incorporated into curricula,.
Curricula need to become better related to employment opportunities.
_..
This requires a continuous analysis of market needs and employers'
,requirements in order to plan and develop appropriate curricula. In developing
countries, the dramatic reduction in employment by government services has
meant that students need to be taught knbwledge and skills for the private sector._
/
Increased awareness of gender issues and. the roles of women in the .
livestock sector. '
Women playa major 'role in the world's livestock production systems. In
spite of women's significant roles in ,livestock production. especially in the food
sectors of developing countries. gender bias is reflected in most characterizations
of farming communities. "Farm~rsn are usually.seen as either genderless 'or
l11ale. There is a need for women. t'o have access to the knowledge and skills
related to liVestock production. p~ocessing and marketing. Women require
~ning_~nd infon:n~~i(;m on_~~ecJfLc.,farm prac~ces:as weltas on fa~ing sy,~tems
development and economic management. ~ . \-
\
\
24
Increased awareness of environment issue
FAO's definition of sustainable development denotes natural resource
management which" conserves land, water, and plant and animal genetic
resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate,
economically viable, and socially' acceptable. Environmental problems clearly
require an interdisciplinary research and teaching approach. Students and
.teachers need to observe first-hand the physical and social environment through
learning activities that are problem-focused. Animal sciences education needs
to incorporate new skills, such as environmental economics and appraisal.
Introducing new topics into the animal sciences curriculum
A systems approach
Rapid changes in livestock and food systems have increased the pressure
for either longer courses or further specialization as students often experience
difficulty in integrating the information they receive in different courses. At some
stage of their training they need an overview of the animal husbandry and rural
systems of their countries. It was noted that in industrialized countries there is a
shift in emphasis to an holistic systems approach to animal hl.Jsbandry, which
stresses the relationships of the individual parts to the whole. The systems
approach is an holistic and interdisciplinary approach that considers-the
interactions between physical and biological factors and their effects on the
farm household and its environment. The concept covers cropping systems,
livestock, fisheries, and agro forestry as well a$ socio-economic and
commercial issues. Integration within the larger systems in which the farml
household is embedd.ed is also considered ".
Environmental issues
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stresses in its
International Strategy for Action in the Field of Environmental Education and
Training for 1990's, the pressing need to integrate environmental issues
throughout all animal sciences courses. The rapid growth of cities and urban-
based industries has resulted in increased stress on the rural environment
through air and water pollution, soil degradation, occupation of the better lands,
scoring of slopes, and the dumping of liquid and solid, wastes. Animal sciences
universities should focus directly on attitudes and practices for the conserving
use of natural resources, expand the agro-ecological knowledge base and educate the
general population (not just students) about the environmental effects of their actions.
Conservation of biological diversity
The following are the key issues regarding farm animals mentioned in
th-e" Progress
I
report FAO, June '1997 Agenda 21,Ghapter 1"5 :. . Conserva'tTon"" of
biological diversity.
25
..
Farm animals
(I Heighten awareness of the diverse contributions of farm animals and
of adapted domestic animal diversity to the sustainable development of
agro ecosystems.
* Refine indicators and assess the comparative uniqueness of remaining
animal genetic resources, for objective priority setting.
(I Begin preservation, especially through ex situ genome banking systems;
to prevent the imminent loss of up to a third of all animal genetic resources.
* Develop methodologies for the sustainable intensification of the world's
major low to medium input agro-ecosystems.
(I Rapidly detail the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal
Genetic Resources, mainstreaming this in dialogue with countries into
country policy development and activities.
It is highly imperative that the animal sciences curriculum framers incorporate
the above key issues.
Population,educatlon. :-. -
Population education in the livestock development context is a learning
process aimed at developing awareness and understanding of the nature, causes
and implications of population growth and distribution as they relate to livestock
productivity and rural development, and howthe$e issu~s affect, and are affected
by, farmers, their families and society as a whole.
Gender issues
A major factor contributing to the process, of women becoming more
responsible for farm management is the migration of men to urban centres in
search of employment. However, in spite of the predominance of women's labou(
in many farming systems';" and of a significant and rising proportion of female-
headed farms, gender bia~remains widespread. This bias is evident throughoyt
the world's livestock systems. Animal sciences education programmes and
training curricula also need to become more gender-responsive by taking into
account women's roles in livestock production, harvest~ storage, processing
and marketing. Similarly, anii'na~ hU$baridry eXtension services have ,not
effectively served women farmer~. Extension ,information also needs to address
the production\ and consumption technology needs of rural households from a
~ \

~el1der persQectiye. ._. _ " .__ .' .. ... '. , - :' \

\
\
\

26
~.The duration and specialization of education programmes
,
.' I. Rapid developments in science and technology make it impossible to
acquire, in a single learning period, all knowledge and skills, which will be useful
~during professional life. Excessively long initial training period keeps students
away from the reality of professional life and makes it harder"for them to solve
real problems when they.eventually begin work. The higher agricultural education
cycle should be discontinuous. AdmiSSion to an upper level should only be
possible after some years of professiol'lal activity following graduation at the
immediately lower level. Such professional periods could be required after
Diploma, or more often after the B.Sc.level, and before post-graduate education.
Teachings methods
Teaching principles ·rather than details
Basic rules~ principres and generalizations in all the sciences change
much less. The need of the hour is to concentrate on the teaching of principles
and to use specific facts mainly to demonstrate how the principles wori<.
Learning to apply principles
The term "application" as a mental skill stands above "knowledge" and
"comprehension" be~use .only a piece of knowledge (e.g. '8 principia), whicn
has been comprehended by students, ~n be applied to a new situation. The
fact that most of what We learn, especi~lIy in animal sciences, is intend~d for
application to problem situations in real life is indicative for the importance of
applioation objectives in the curriculum and of training students in applying
principles.
Learning to make decisions
There is a- big difference between prC)blem solving in a school situation and
decision-making in real life situations. Different techniques are available to train
students in decision-making. Following ~re some different approaches:
(I Decision trees lead the learners systematically through a series of
decision points'. At each point, they have to consider the costs of two
alternatives and weigh them Qgainst the expected gain. Mainly
quantifiable factors are taken in account in decision trees.
(I Cost-benefit analysis. Real decision-making also involves monetary
factors. What will happen if a certain action is not undertaken? What will
the social cost of a certain deCision be? What qualitative gain (e.g.
~ ~satisfaction)-could be the benefit of an-alternative decision?-In·this-type

27

-
-
of cost-l:;>en~fit analy~is, students receive a brief description of a livestock
situation in which a decision has to be taken. For each alternative they
are asked to Jist the positive and negative outcomes and to justify why
they would choose one of the alternatives or suggest a compromise
betwee~ two optio"ns.

(I Flow chart Improvements. Students are presented with a flow chart in

which a costly factor (human resources, water, foreign exchange etc.)
shoold be econom"ized.
(l Case stUdies with Implications.' These are usually accounts about
controversial issues of a more general character, for instance cases in
which developmental advantages have to be weighed against
environmental hazards. Examples could be projects in which iUs plannE;ld
to clear bush and convert it into farmlands, where the cost could be
possible ecological damage. Again, students are asked to analyze the
situation and to take sides or come up with.a balancep solution based on
the facts at hand and their own judgments.
CONCLUSIONS
The..ch~lIenges i for this century with regard to framing of animal sciences
curriculumJs . to move:
* From production to productivity;
(I From immediate needs to long-term s(Jstainability;
* From ~iscipllnary to interdisciplinary teaching and research;

* From a commodity to a system focus;

* From reactive to pro-active organization;
\
/

* From hierarchical\organizations to participatory ones; and

'.

* .From animal scienc~s

universities to universities for rural development
Bibliography
\

American Dairy Science Associ~tio". 1969. Educational challenges in animal

production. Proc. 2nd Wor/d,Con! Animal Production~ p. 220-260. Urbana, .
Il, USA, American Dairy Science Association.
\ } ' \
i Ausubel" D.P. 1.963." "The psyc~Ology of meaningfu.l<: ,!erb_a.)~.learni[lg. An
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introduction to school learning." New York, Grune and Stratton. \
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 tawden. R.J. 1992. Systems approaches to agricultural development: the
~\'. Hawkesbury experience. "Agric. Syst". 40: 153-176.
~~~Bligh, D. 1986. "Teach thinking by discussion': Guilford, UK, Society for Research
=:).:: into Higher Education. .0

. ~IBloom, B.S., ed. 1956. "Taxonomy of educational objectives. Handbook I:

. cognitive domain". New York, McKay. .
Blum, A. 1989. Facet theory used to establish taxanomic subclasses for
. "application", with an example from science teaching. "Sci. Educ", 73: 1-
12.
Bruner, J.S. 1960. "The' process of education". New York, Vintage Books.
Child, D. 1981. "Psychology and the teache": 3rd ed. London, Holt, Rinehart
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Davis, M.D. 1985. "The art of decision making". New York, Springer.
Dreyfus, A. 1985. "Education for decision making in agriculture: scientific
concepts in authentic situations". In G.B. Harrison, ed. 'World trends in
SGi~fJqe and technology education': p. 172-174. Nottingham, UK, Trent
Polytechnic.
Dreyfus, L.S. 1968 Evolution-and promise of educational technology. J. Anim.
Sci., 27: 928-937.
Fox, M. 1993. "PsYQhological perspectives in edupation". London, Cassell.
Gagne, R.M. 1974. "Essentials of learning for instruction". Hinsdale, ilL, USA,
Dryden.
Good, T.L. and Brophy, J.E. 1990. "Educational psychology p; a realistic
approach". London, Longman.
Ie
Horvath, D.J. & Inskeep, E.K. 1968. Role of the laboratory in the teaching of •
animal science. J; Anim. Sci., 27 952-955.
Kauffman, K.G., Thompson, J.F., Anderson, D.B. & Smith, R.E. 1971 Improving
the effectiveness of teaching animal science. J. Anim. Sci., 32: 161-164.
Law, B. 1977. "Decide for yourself'. Cambridge, UK, Hobsons.
Lesgold, A. and Glaser, R., eds. 1989. "Foundations for a psychology of
education". Hillsdale, N.J., USA, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
MacMillan, P. and Powell. L. 198t. "Perception and/earning. An induction cQurse
for teaching in further ecjucation and industry". Huntingdon, UK, Transart.

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--
McClymont, G.L: & McDonald, I.W. 1972. Education in animal production in
developing countries. WId. Anim. Rev., 4: 29-33 Novak, J.D. and Gowin,
B.D. 1984. "Learning how to learn". Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University
Press. .
Neumann, A.L. 1968. New goals in teaching animal management. J. Anim. Sci.,
27: 902-904.
Piaget, J. and Inhelder, B. 1969. "The psychology of the child'~ London. Routledge
and Kegan.
Postlethwait, S.N. 1968. The audio-tutorial system. J. Anim. Sci., 27: 938-940
Pye, J. 1988. "Invisible children: who are thereal losers at school?" Oxford , UK,
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Progress report FAO,June 1997 Agenda 21,Chapter 15 - Conservation of
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Sere & Steinfeld, 1996. World livestock production systems: current status, issues
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Teacher Training Section, Oronten College of Agriculture and pedagogical
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Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
'University of Nevada, 1968. Symposium on undergraduate teaching in-animal
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863-955. _. .
I

30
 1(
,~n WOMEN AND VETERINARY EDUCATION -A CASE STUDY OF
.". 'M'ADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE
G.D.ANANTHA VIJAYAKUMARr AND S.PRATHABAN**
Depariment of Clinical medicine, Ethics and jurisprudence,.
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600007 I ,

.. \,~. In India, the realization of the importance of women education and

~. development is the result of years of struggle agajnst injustice and inequality.
Women, who constitute 48 per cent of the total population of India 1 , are lagging
v'behind in getting thek rightful share in all developmental activities even- after 56
~"years of independence. They are not able to take full advantage of constitutional
~~"equalitY and statutory rights. The 'International Womenis Year, 1975 and the UN
;;"'Women's D~cade 1975-85 influence not only the women's thinking about
~themselves but also forced many Governments to shift the emphasis of women's
t:lprogrammers from welfare to development. The National Perspective Plan for
~ 'women 1988-200.0 A.D has aimed at economic development and integration of
fI'women into the mainstream of economy. It could be achieved ohlywhen women
':':are
- eqt,Jipp.ep.,w!tb
' th~ ~noYJleQge_and skills (~quir:.e.dJ:~y
-- ---.----
., -- -Jlw
....
-
deve.loping
."----~ -".-..
economy2.
- ......................... ..,.. _..... ---...
... ....

Veterinary science is a field which is directly -connected to the

~developmeht ofthe nation which depends on agriculture. By nature, women are
I), compassionate and affectionate towards animals. Women take part equally

fVwith men in rural agricultural and animal husbandry work. Very recently a news
:~. 'was in the medIa' that two abandoned Cheetah cubs were brought up by
;Mrs.Vishalakshi and Mr.Gajendran and were sent back to the Bandipur forest
· '. The forest aepartment of Karnataka has given the responsibility of looking after
· three elephant calves underthe care ofthe above mentioned couple 3.lt seems
···.animals see' no difference between men and women. Hence' the study of
:':veterinary science which was considered once as a domain'of men Was only a
· :, myth! The aim of the paper is to study the role played by Matlras Veterinary
.':. college in promoting women education in the field of veterinary s¢ience. '
Madras Veterinary College which is celebrating the centenary year,
was established -in 1903 and started functioning in the present location since
I , .' ,.

· * Lecturer, Department of History, SDNB Vaishnav College for Women, Chrompet, Chennai-
600044
· ** Professor ,Referral .Clinics, Department of Clinical medicine, Ethics and jurispr_!Jdence,.
_ Madras V~terini!.ry£QlleRe, CJ.l~nDai:?QOOOJ.:. _ _ ._. _... .........._-~_.... --~- - - - - -'>--""

31
 1905. Graduate of Madras Veteril)ary College was the diploma granted to the
students'who had completed the veterinary course. 5 .B.V.Sc was introduced in
1936 when the college was affiliat~d to the university of Madras 6 .. In 1958 the
college was upgraded as southern regional center of post graduate education
and research 7 .A separate Directorate of veterinary education :and research
was established in 1969 8 .The college wa,s affiliated to Tamilnadu Agricultural
University in 1974 and it became a constitu.ent college of Tarnilnadu Agricultural
University in 1976 9 .In 1989 the fitst veterinary and animal sciences university
was established and the college became a constituent college of Tamilnadu
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 10.
The first enquiry about the admission of wom~n to the Madras Veterinary
College was made by the year 1934,when the discussion on the affiliation of
Madras Veterinary College to the University of Madras and the introduction of
B.V.Sc., course was going on P.T.Saunders,the Director of Veterinary Services
,Madras expressed no objection to the admission of lady students but he insisted
that they could be admitted only if suitable male candidates up to the required
n!Jmberwere not forthcoming. Wh~n the matter was referred to'the Govemment
of Madras they decided to leave the matter to the discretion of the selection
.committee 11. Though there was 1)0 objection to enroll women in the Madras
veterjnary college, no attempt wa~ mad~- tcf enroll them tilrth-e" in-depenaence.
After independence efforts have been made to improve the girls education.
Exclusive men professional studies as law and engineering have begun to
engage women. It so happened in the Madra~ Veterinary College also. In 1948
two lady candidates were admitt~d and they formed two percent of the total
admission of that 'year. One was Miss.Kalyani, a 18 year old Brahmin Madras
, girl and the other eme was Miss.P.Sakku Bai, a 17 year non-Qrahmin west
: ,Godavari district girl 12. In 1953, after successfully completing B.V.Sc., course
they came out of the' college as the first ,ady veterinarians of India, ~nd thus
made Madras Veterin~ry College the first veterinary college to produce lady
Veterinarians in the entlr~ Asia. 13. Among the two Dr.Sakkubhai alon~ continued
in her profession. In her lntervi.ew to PASUDHAN while recollecting her st(,Jdent
days, ,she said that Veterinary SCience initially was not considered a field for
wOmen. but later on she was convinced about the professional aspects of it.
.In the academic year 1949-50 three seats were reserve_cJ for girl $tY,dejjts.
which was 4% of the total sanctioned' seats'forthe first year B.VSc 15 .The·entry
, of women in veterinary education' and the reservation of seats to women were
I not so welcomed by their colleagLJes which is proved by a cartoon drawn by a

j first B.V.Sc.~ student in the college annual in 1955. Though.it should be'taken in
I . . \
I 32
 · .a lighter sense but the fact Is that the men accepted in times to that women
',:.-'. .could excel In the field of Veterinary science.
The reservation of 3 seats for girl students continued till 1953 even when
no girl student opted for the veterinary course 17. The Government of Madras
considered that reservation was superfluous as woman have got equal. rights
as men under the constitution. Hence they decided girls could compete with
boYS on equal terms and the reservation of few seats to women was terminated
in the year 1953 18 .It is a coincidence that in the year 1953 the first lady
veterinarians passed out of the college and the reservation for women was
nullified. For some years to come in the absence of reservation there was no
enthusiasm among g.ll1s to join the Madras Veterinary College.
In the academic year 1957-58, pre-professional courses were introduced
by the University of Madras. Due to shortage of time and lack of facilities, the
pre- professional course for veterinary science was conducted at Loyola College
for boys and Queen Mary's college for girls 19 .It was proposed to allot 6 seats
for girls in the pre professional course which constituted 5% of the total allotted
seats for the first B.V.Sc. This reservation was also done away in 1959,when
the pre professional course was undertaken in the Madras Veterinary College
and ·the open competition for students was reinstituted since then 20 •
Till 1980, the number of girl students admitted was Only in single digit.
Since 1981 the response of girl students to the veterinary course slowly increased
and the admission of girls reached 18 in 1984. In 1984, a ladies hostel to
accommodate 20 lady students was established by converting the temporary
shed: In the hostel premises21 • The admission Qf girl students began to increase
rapidly from the year 1985.The enrollment of girls was 31 in' 1985 and 59 in .
1990.The increase was due to slow urbanisation that ,had been taking place in
the state and the admission of girl students in the boy's colleges became very
common. Besid,es the establishment of number of Engineering colleges in'
Tamllnadu and the enrollment of girl stUdents In the engineering colleges also
one way attracted girl students towards professional courses. Engineering stUdy
was considered as a career and masculine field. requiring sustained logical
work, muscular strength and co-ordination and dexterity with tools. When the
girl students could enroll themselves In large numbers (423 in 1990) in
engineering colleges 22,veterinary science which was once considered as a
masculine field also gave a red carpet welcome to girl students. Ira 1993,
conSidering the importance of accommodating the lady students comfort an
additional block was constructed at the cost of Rs.17 lakhs within the hostel
premises. One more floor was also added In the subsequent.yearat the cost-of
RsttO fakhs.
33
I
The following graphs furnishes the percentage of boys and girls eni"ollrilenj
in veterinary education for a period from 1990 to 2002. .

YEARLY ENROLLMENT DATA FOR B.V.SC IN PER CENT

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ~o~o 2001 2002

YEARLY'ENROLLMENT DATA FOR M.V.SC., AND PHD IN PER CENT

1990 19911992 1993 1994 1995 19961997 19981999 2000 2001 2002

It is clear from the first graph that the percentage of girls enrolled in th~
period never went below 30% ,and fluctuating between 30 to 41 % except in
1993 when the enrollment of gi~ls\was 56%.ln that year the number of/girls
admitteq were more than boys. In the rest of the years, there was a big gap
~~_~~ ~h~~ ~~~b~r ~f_~oys. a~d g~.~ls enr?"~d_f~~ ~.V.Sc:.
_ ... __ =._ ~ .~~.\~ ,
: In the second graph the percentage of women students enrollment- W~s
riot ascending but fluctuating betwe~n 18 and 33 percent. It shows as in the,
. \
34
'

/
 ca::;~ 0f all other higher education, in veterinary science also the enrollment of
lady students was much smaller when compared to men students. The gap
between the numbet"of men and women students was much wider in M.V.Sc
and PhD.
The girl students competed well with the. boys in education' and extra
curricular activities., Since 1990 three girl students $ecured gold medals for
their excellence in education. Along with boys they took training in horse riding
in the Remount& Veterinary NCC unit. Every year four boys and two girls are
sentto Republic day parade in New Delhi. Since 1997 giil students of R&Vunit
bagged 3 gold medals ,5 silver medals and 5 bronze medals at all India level.
These achievements of the girl students substantiate that they never lagged
behind.
Now the veterinary profession have a lot of scope for women. Earlier the
lady vets were employed in laboratories only, but now they are employed in
hospitals, colleges .private veterinary clinics, vaccine institutes, extension centers
and even in mobile insemination units. In Chennai many lady vets are successfully
running private clinics, They have their own association, named Indian
Association of Lady Vets, but the participation of Women in decision making
power is a matter of great concern. So far no 'womem veteriminan--'could -attain'
higher ranks in administration and even the number of professors is abysmally
low compared to their male counterparts. '
To sum up it can be said, that Madras Veterinary College provided
opportunities to women since independence. T}lere was initial inhibition on the
side of women to take up veterinary course which was earlier considered as a
field for men alone. When this myth Was exploded, the prejudice in the minds
of women about veterinary science diminished slowly and they began to take
up their due share in veterinary education. There was no gender bias in the
enrolment of students and selection was based purely on merit in the UG and
PG level. In undergraduate level the participation of women was quite satisfactory
from nineties (30-56%). But in the post graduate education their participation
was abysmally low (18 to 33%) .The cause might be attributed to our deep
rooted culture and tradition which discouraged most women from taking up .
postgraduate education and they are forced then to settle down in life. Lack of
taking up postgraduate education is the major reason, that prevented women
from reaching higher administrative posts of the Madras Veterinary College or
TANUVAS, though their admission at UG level commenced as early as 1948.
Hence, efforts may be taken in the form of offering special scholarships and
-- ma~rng reserVc3"tionifforwomen areaClmission is the utmb-sfrfeeo·of.the"fiourto
attract more women candidates towards PG education. Up to that time the

35
 ,
available women faculty have to be involved in decision making pro~esses of
the college/university by making special reservations for them in the governing
bodies of the university. A day will come when without any reservation women
could attain complete equality in all walks of life.
References
1. K.M.Mathew(2002) Malayala Manorama Year Book. Malayala Manorama
Press,.Kottayam,. P75
2. P.Vijayalakshmi Pandit (1997) Employment of Women through Distance
Education, Vikas,. Hyderabad P2.
3. Dina Malar,Chennai dated 25.5.2003
4. Bertie D'Souza (1954-55) Development of Veterinary and Animal
Husbandry work in India and Madras State, .Madras Veterinary College
annual Magazine p22.
5. The Madras Veterinary College Golden Jubilee Souvenir 1955,. p9.
6. MS ,GO 501, Development,28.3.1936
T. MS ,GO 2483, Agriculture 17-7-1958
8. c ' M.S,GO 2468; Agriculture-6-8-t969
9. Adn'linstrative Report of Government of Tamilnadu 1977-78,1989.
10. Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Science sovEmir,1989.
11. MS, G0661 ,Development 3-5-1935.
12. MS,GO 87,Development 6-1-1949.
13. The Madras Veterinary College Annual vol xi, 1952-53.
'14. Pashudan, March 2003,Vol18 ,. 'Issue 03.
15. Administration Repo'rt of the Madras Animal Husbandry Department 1949-50.
16. The Madras Veterinary College Annual vol, xiv 1955-56.
17. Administartion Report df the Madras Animal H~Sb~ndry Department,.1953-54.
1'8. MS,GO 1713,Agriculture,225,.1954.
19. MS,GO 1984,1Food and Agriculture,29-6-1957.
20. MS,GO 2326,.Food and Agriculture 22-6-2003.
21. Tamilnadu Agricultural Univer~ity Fourteenth Annual report-1984-85. '
22. RK.Rao(2000)Women and Education,.NewDelhi p88 \
2~., . The'Madras,Veterinary-Gollege,Annual vol xliii 1993~94 ", \

36
 VALUES, CAREER EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF
I:· LADY STUDENTS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
IROTHIA K. A. , BORKAR S. K., PAWADE V. S., SIROTHIA A. R., FUKE N.
H. AND JOSHI D. K.
Nagpur Veterinary College,
Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University,
Nagpur. (M.S.)
The fast moving world racing towards a global village culture has brought
any new interests into women's orbit and has altered the pattern of domestic
lIIe. Now- a- days, Significant number (20-50 percent) of rural and urban educated
:women have started seeking employment in several professions, to supplement
family income and improve the quality of their, life. (S. K. Mann et.a!. 1997)
Feminist theories and gender studies have contributed enormously to
narrowing the gap between the personal and political expectations of women.
The exploitation Which millions of women suffer in developing countries should
·be of concern to tho~e interested in development. Development interventions
have been. shown .to:be, more sustainable when women.areJny.ol'led. as_equal
partners. The role of agriculture graduate women in agriculture development
thus forms an important concern in development studies. With economic
development there wiJI be mote opportunities for women in education and
·employment (World Bank, 1990). All the above facts hold true for women in
veterinary science ed!Jcation as well. Veterin@ry Science is emerging as a
promising area·for women in India.
National Academy of Agriculture ResearCh Management (NAARM), wIth
support from ICAR and DST, had taken an ,initiative to address the issues of
professional women in agriculture. Forthe purpose of that study, graduate women
included all undergraduates, post-graduate and doctoral holders in various
disciplines - agriculture, horticulture, forestry, co-operation and marketing,
veterinary and animal sciences, dairy, fishery, agricultural engineering, horne-
science and all such disciplines offered by State Agriculture Universities (SAUs).
The results were presented in the report - "Professional Women in Agriculture"
by NAARM in 1998..
Now after five years of completion of that project, establishment of three
veterinary universities in India, and others in pipelines, time is ripe to study the
various aspects of women in veterinary science separately. This field exposes
the'~qy students to separate experiences; much different from the other above
mentioned fields in SAUs. The enrolment of women in various veterinary colleges

37
is also increasing rapidly. Hence this small pilot project was undertaken to delve
into the world of the lady veterinary students- their values, experiences and
dreams of a successful career.
,Review
Excepting for a specific doctoral study of Premlata Singh and Singh (1993)
on working women scientists in ICAR, a specific study of professional women in
veterinary science in India is not available.
Gaddagimath et al (1993) has done a bibliography of 965 publications
on women in agriculture in India during the period 1970-93. Most of the studies
are on farm women and their role in agriculture.
The emergence of women in veterinary medicine began as a
comparatively slow process that did not gain momentum until the mid 1970's.r
To understand extensively the unequal participation of women in different
professions, there is paucity of literature. So a foreign study is referred to.
Susan Jankowski (1997) observed that the number of women in veterinary
medicine grew at a rate almost six times greater than that of men during the first
half-of this decade: Currently 30% of the nations,veterinarians are female; ..
Materials & Methods
For the purpose of this study, lady students of Nagpur Veterinary'College
registered in undergraduate course were included. T,he survey was conducted
in November 2002. !

. A questionnaire was prepared by modifying the on'e used at NMRM.

About 50 lady students of Nagpur Veterinary' College, Nagpur, MAFSU were
supplied with the questionna'ire and explained in detail about the intensions of
the research work. ' I

The questionnaire broadly covered the following aspects:

i) Personal informati6r
ii) Academic information
iii) Career expectations and values
iv) Problems faced during,college ,education
v) Remarks \\ \ J

The questionnaire was designed' t~ choose the option from the mu_ltipJe
choicetanswers provided. With re,gard toisome question.s the respondents were
asked to 'comment upon their·v!ews frankly and -space-was 'provided ,for the'
same. I - .'.
~ .. ,

I
, \ 38
'''\ '
 . All were very willing and cooperative and filled the forms and given their
remarks accordingly.
The respondents were assured that tneir information will be kept
confidential and exclusively used for the present study.
The complete work of preparation of questionnaire and getting them filled
by the lady students correctly was done with the help of two final'year internship
students (2nd & 3rd authors). ,
Results and Discussion
This study investigates the issues regarding career expectation.s,
experiences and values of lady students in veterinary science. It is intended to
bring: before the planners" policy makers, councillors, teachers in veterinary
universities, parents and male student colleagues, regarding the different aspects
of thought and soci?1 processes involved in the lives of female candidates taking,
up veterinary science as a profession.
A critical analysis of the information collected tells us a lot about the
cpnditions of lady veterinary students.
A general conceptionis that ladies prefer academic f. teaching. relatea j
jot)s~ Confrary: to this general' belief, this-study revealed that only 48 .% girl:
students' interested in taking up academic related jobs. The rest 52 % ara'
aiming ~or Ex~cutive I Field related, care~rs.
One interesting observation- that glares out at us is that not all 'girls are'
intere$ted primarily ih ,happy family life or both, as we'Would like to believe. In'
fact, given the choicEfof career development & happy family life only 20 % of
the girls have sel~cted the option for source of satisfaction (personal) as both.
30 % nave given happy familY life first preference and a gJ~ring 50 % h;:we
given career development as their first source of personal satisfaction., This is
contrary to earlier observation made just five years back. .
While analysing the observations regarding professional source' of
satisfaction 65 % have mentioned about exposure to new technologies, 25 %
wanted to do pioneering or creative work. But the response that is worth observing~
and noting is of the remaining 10 % who have specifically mentioned that their
primary source of satisfaction would be anything that pays better.
,J

. While responding to r~asons for low representation of women in v~terinafY

science, 80 % have mentioned that they that veterinary sCience for women is
not acce~table to society. 4 % ~ave men.ti~ned th.&t it ,r~~t~ct_c_~an9~~_QLrnarric;lg~,...,
10'% it'is'djfficLilt
, a
getting jot) ~nd 6 % have conveyed that ,students are unaware:
.

39
I

of this profession at 10 + 2 level. This is an interesting finding on the basis of

which veterinary Institutes & Universities should take special efforts to
make the 10 + 2 level students aware of the existence of this course and
its career implications. Veterinary Universities should take part. in career
fares and other awareness programmes.
Difficulties faced : Though 90 % of the students have not faced any,
difficulties 10 % have answered in the affirmative.
The project report heavily referred for the purpose of this paper was
"Professional Women in Agriculture" by NAARM in 1998.ln that it is mentioned
that 14.9 % of Jadies from rural and 85.1 % were from urban schools. This
survey has also shown similar results, buta decreasing trend when only 10 % of
the lady students were from rural background and 90 % from urban areas. Only'
4 % of the girls haveplanned to enter veterinary science and given first preference.
All the others had taken if after not getting admission in Medical or Engineering.
Thus veterinary science was given 3rd preference.
It is worth noting at this juncture that though most of them had not planned
to join veterinary science, yet 100 % of the students, were supported by either
o,f their parents.- Only 4 O{o were not supported ,by their_mp.tll~~. There were
specific mention in the answers of ~ % of students that their grandparents ha_c!'
also supported and motivate(j them to take up education in veterinary sGience'..
Majority of the girls agreed strongly that they think they will have do to
be~ter than men to get equal profess.ional reGQgnjtion! .As fpr aCq_demic
performance, 4 % of the girls were· found to b~ ran!<ing· belQw. Majority of the
girJs doing very well and finding them~~lves in the ,upper 25 rankings. -
All the 'girls have appreciated the gesture of this question"naire and
conveyed that they_ would be very happy if such studies, are taken frequently. '
They have experienced and mentioned that boys are dominating the girls. They_~
also agree unanimously that veterinary science is too demanding a job. Yet they'
have come to like it now ~nd will most certainly recommend and a.dvise other
young women to take up this field. _ -;...~.'
Conclusion
~ , : • , _ • I. ~'...)
Nowadays women are. emerging in the fields ,earlier manned only ·by 'i
males, whether it is in food animal
\ \
production'
.
mediciJle, In public health , ati,;'"
the military. .
.' i., " ..
,) ,.. ~ They_are
--n,
__ Rr:o_f~~!9I1als
.
_~ ,_,_~
who
.-,
are well-qualified
,-_ ..
,~
to do their jobs and (they,
____ , . ~. \ '

perform superbly. They are looking'forward to, exposures to new technologies-

and interested ,in' doing pioneering or creative work. . '\
I " . "
40 .

/
 Veterinary science requires ~nowledge, commitment, ability and
.. ' dedication from whoever possesses t~ose characteristics. No longer is it an
issue of needing great physical strength, or having a farm background, to be an
important, contributing member of the veterinary profession. This can be very
well concluded as most of the girls are from urbcln background. A national level
work on these lines is necessary to eff~ctively utilize the increasing number of
female veterinary graduates.
References
Gaddigimath, R. B., Siva Prasad, Y. V. Shanmughan, T. and Nirmala, P. V. (1993)
: Women Agriculture - A Biblit:>graphy on Indian Studies, NAARM
Bibliographic series, NAARM, Hyderabad.·
S. K. Mann, M. K. Dhillon & N. GreWql (1997) : Working women - work and
,mrni9/.RtU\.t,~i9~,P~r ~r9%(7ted 1(7 wo('ks/?o(J 0(7 IsslIes ot
Professional. Women-in Agricultl1re, Nov. 18-20, 1997.
Preml~ta $ingh and Singh, R. P; (1993) : Job Expectations, Performa.nce and
satisfaction of Women Scielltists. 'Indian Journal of Extension
Education VOl. XXIX (3 ~ 4). .
Rajammar.P: Devadas & Shanta B. K:urup"(1997) : Management is:~ues"of
professional women PaperpreSented in workshop on issues pf
Professional Women in AgricultlJre , Nov. 18-20, 1997.
Sussan Jankowski (1997) : Women el'herge. in Veterinary Medical Profession
AVMA NEWS 29 Jan. 1997 ..
world Bank. (1'990) : Women in Development, the World Bank, Washington
D.C.
-
VETS VISION ON VETERINARY EDUCATION
DHARANI KUMAR, AAND ARUN. A.SHA
Department of Wildlife Science,
Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS j Chennai'
Curriculum
"We take on the bright young people in the land for veterinary scienc~
programme, subject them to over teaching and provide intellectual suffocation",
says Armour (1990). This is true with the veterinary students in India who are
made to study myriad subjects during undergraduate programme. Some of the
content of these courses have less or no relevance to our country 01' irrelevant
jn the present situation. Veterinary science is making greater strides in lesser
time in, many avenues, thanks to the worlQwide continuous basic and advanced
research. Hence the curriculum mU,st be periodically revised and scrutinized for
omission, duplications and relevance of course material to cater the changing
needs of the society. Most importantly, greater emphasis should be 'given 'in
introducing relevant course material, which is b~nefiCial to the students, and
veterinarians ·of our country i.e. the training_sh'ould pe related to the specific
n-ational problems with international. standards. VeterinarY Universities orJVC
may constitute a committee to remOVe irrel~vant and obsolete materials in the
curriculum.
We 'are in the world of communication. Unfortunately, veterinarians lack
the required communication skills, which is vital in today's practice. We need to
,communicate with the owners, colleagues, employer~, employee; general public
, and government officials. Unless we communicate efficientlyw"ith these'people
, our service undoubtedly will go useless. Knowing this well, the Rex/Gee
curriculum report in Australia recommended the introduction of communication
skill courses and suggested an increase in the emphasis on animal behaviour
and animal welfare. This \effort has tremendously improved the communication
\ .

skill of students. (Rex. 19a5). Similar approach is the need of the hour in our
curriculum too.
Our curriculum is mostly based on facts rather than thoughts that does not
augur well for a bright profe~sional ,career. It needs a radical revision and
unfortunately, departments within\the' college refuse to co-operate due to the
overestimating' propensity for the'ir own importance. As a result, additional
information IS forced into the cou,rses rather than subjecting them to a r~view.
., - _ - \
• Department of Microbiology, College of Veterina-ry Science, ANGRAU, Hyderabad "- \
. \

42
•

. This results in the accumulation of facts and information on va'rious aspects of

. . the veterinary science without much knowledge on the difficulties of managing
~ of owners and staff "etc. All these compel the vets for a general practice with
mediocre salaries in poor working conditions. Education should bring self-
confidence and hence, the curriculum has to be designed Imodified with more
emphasis on essential information, skills, behaviors, and attitudes which should
be possessed by a veterinarian.
Teaching
Use of innovative teaching approaches c3re pivqtal in any educational programme
and many veterinary colleges in India have started introducing the computer,
televisions, over head projectors, slide projectors etc in their teaching methods.
Better methods such as seminars, projects, and student-driven-problem-solving
\u\ona\s au~ a\so )Tl iOTce. l"ne io\\owWt'9 are \he '~~I'j ~'C'e'p\e-6 \e"'diriiiYg
strategies and experience suggested fpr a college education.
1. Didactic instructIon (lecture and laboratory
2. Independent study
3. Synergogy (group study) .
4. InforrTlatibn manag'ement experience including proficiency with "the
computer
5~ Clinical instruction and experr~nce to include clerkships, internships,·
extetnships, and preceptorship$
6. A rich variety of evaluations feed back mechanisms
7. Research experience
8. Advi~ing, mentorship and role modeling
9~ Practical experience in a nonuniversity setting
(Source: Future Directions for Veterinary Medicine, by the Pew National
Veterinary Education Program. Institute of Policy Sciences and Public~
Affairs, Duke University)
Though teaching and research are inseparable, the former should be
given first priority in the interest of edtJcation. Conduct of continuous teaching
improvement programme, up gradation of latest teaching aids and rewarding of
good teachers are the few ways of improving the teaching in veterinary education.
Nowadays, the computer-based learning (CBL) is recommended worldwide and
is
veterinary education no exception. Students have shown increase speed of
learning and increased retention in CBL. .9v~r cQove_ntio.nalleaming ..(Chadwick
et"ill";~1"988j: Weli~designed-CBL can presenfcompfex feamfiig--~trategie's -and

43
I
succesSfully promote higher cognitive skills, such as information handling,
decision-making and data interpretation (Gathy et ai, 1991). Since. CBL lacks
the involvement and guidance of staff, it should be combined with usual teaching
to strike a correct balance.
Specialization
The idea of incorporating specialization in the undergraduate curriculum
in India is debatable. Developed countries have made much progress h
introducing specialization and the results are encouraging. For example, Royal
Veterinary College in UK has included an elective programme in the final year
and it imparts both specialization and the thrill of undertaking personal research.
Specialization will help the students to ~et a good specified professional goal.
However, there is a chance of losing the generalization, which is important to
our country's point of view. While doing so, experts in the field should be consulted
and this will give good opportunity for students to explore and develop sp~cialist
career interests during the undergraduate course.
Education for private practice
In the past, state government jobs were readily available for the veterinary
students through-outthEf India~ At present, the jobs-in~government sector are
meagerly ayailable. Many veterinary assistant surgeons working in the animal
husbandry depa.rtments show frustration due to the decreasing ,budgetary·.
allocations to their services. In this situation, sizeable numbers' of vets are
depending on the private practice for their sustenance. There is a increasing
pressure to import veterinary education with due importance to the nuaDces of
,private practice. Food animal practice and companfon animal practice are the
.two areas of private practice that have Significant relevance to our-country. Equine
and piggery practice, which are at the forefront
I
in developed countries, are not
uncommon in India. Private veterinary servicesare"growing rapidly and students
should be prepared to adapt to this rising challenge.
'\
Continuous education \ '
Continuous up gradation of professionai knowledge' and skills are critic~1
for a flourishing carrier. Thl3 chief sources of information available a're
experiel1ces, discussions, seminars, symposiums and professional jourriai~'.'
Somehow, we are lagging behiQd\in the judicious planning and execution '9f,
continuing education with our counterparts of developed countries. TWo main
~easons stres~ed in the support o{pontinuing veterinary educatio~ are: wetfare
9tpatients/animals and welfare oJ tre professioI1Jr0iQ_Q~", 1~,~Q). W~.p_eli.~v~
~hat application of latest knowledge will increase the quality of the treatme~t,
which in tu~n b~lstert~e reputation ofth~ profession. This unarguablywill·ensuret,
44

•
- he right of treatment of animals to qualified veterinarians keeping the quacks at
;ay. This involves huge funding and government support alone is insufficient.
\n action plan applicable for the whole country i$ the urgent need to safe guard
he interest of the profession before it enters the dark. At the same time integration
!mong the teaching. research and practicing vets is of immense significance
ind the rift existing among the above can be erased through this kind of education
ind interaction forums. This is vital for the profession as well as for the nation in
i longer run.
;onclusion
. Veterinarians must have a solid general college level education to handle
)resent and upcoming challenges. A broad and scrupulous universal education
'lith a scope for a specialization in an area of student's choice coupled with
~xhaust\ve practlcal tratntng 'NUl adequately P,rovtde the e~sentlal requtstte of
he veterinary education. Besides, students should gain an integrated view of
he world and their placl3 in it to enhance their ability in the future to adjI,Jst to
;ocial and personal changes. Individuals with broadly diverse inter,ests are.
nore flexible, more creative, more adaptable, more active in community affairs,
md better able to overcome personal crises. Students should have a solid and
ntegrated _grounding jn addition to the veterinary_education., This includes:
anguages and communication skills, art or aesthetics, history, human institutions,
latural science, mathematics and quantitative problem solving, psychology and
;ocial studies. It is essential that recruits to the profession be broadly and liberally
~ducated and have varied interests, backgrounds, and experiences so that the
)roper fit between veterinary activity and veterinary graduates will more likely
)e achieved. We wish the future curriculum should include all these factors in
jeveloping energetic veterinarians. This is the right time for the profession to formulate
i curriculum that meets all the expectations of the nation and the budding vets.

~eferences

~rmour.J.1990.Wooldrige Memorial Lecture: The role of vets in 'society. Veterina.ry

Record. 127(1.0),249.
:hadWick, D.J., Duce, P.P., Margerison 0 and Walker, S.M.1998. Computer
assisted learning in chemistry. Chemistry in Britairi,24 (3); 249-252.
3athy.P, Denef, J.F and Haumont, S.1991.Computer-assisted self-assessment
(CASA) in histology. Computers and education. 17,109-116.
v1ichell, AR.1990.Perspectives in veterinary education.(Weipers commemorative
lecture ).Veterinary Record.127;78-82.
,ex, M.A.E.1998.Teaching communication. skills to veter.inar.y students.
·-rAustralian Advances in Veterinary Science.151-153.

45
 A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF MADRAS VETERINARY
COLLEGE UNDER TRIMESTER AND SEMESTER SYSTEM OF
EDUCATION
RAJINI, R.A., SRIDHAR, R., LEELA, V., MADHURI, S*., MAHENDRAN, M*
AND I.ALFRED JAYAPRASAD
Educa.tion Cell, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600 007
Bertrand Rusell stated that what each man knows is, in an important
sense depended upon his own individual experience: he knows what he has
seen and heard, what he has read and what he has been told, and also what
from these data, he has been able to infer. These results we have inferred are
based on data collected for three batches both underthe trimester system and
the semester system. The trimester system had three terms comprising of 90
working days each in one academic year, while the semester system comprised
two. terms in an academic year comprising 105 working days per term.
Materials and methods
The data collected was based on the OGPA (Ov~rall grade point average)
of each' student on completing 14' trimesters and 6 months of internship or 9
semesters and 6 months of internship throughout his I her years of study'
comprising bf 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89 batches in the trimester system and
1993-94,1994-95 and 1995-96 batches under the semester·system. Underthe
trimester system'the number of students obtailj1ing OGPA of below 2.4, 2.4 to
2.79, 2.8 to 3.19, 3.2to 3.59.and above 3.6 were tabulafed and this was equated
to 6 to 6.9, 7 - 7.9, 8 - 8.9 and 9 and above under the 'semester system. The
.OGPA of below 2.4 under the trimester system cQuld not be equavated with the
.semester system OGPA as an OGPA of 2.2S· was considered a pass under
'trimester system while ill the semester system thiswould be equated to only 5.6
OGPA and it indicates a'failure. The result of the study is presented in table I. I
Results and discussion',\
The per cent of pass\was almost equal between the various OGPA levels
in the trimester system, with a highest percentage of students (29.3%) obtainin'g'
3.2 to 3.59 OGPA, while under the semester system there were vast variations
within the groups, 7.0 - 7.9 group had the highest percentage .of 20.12. When (
the minimum pass of 2.25 OGPA group percentage was added to the grot,Jp
f~lIing between 2.4 to 2.79 the s"t~m:tot~1 was 30.13 % this when compare,d to
the percentage of students falling u~derthe lowest OGPA under semester system
~orks out to 1~.72% higher. Under the semester system orily O.~% stud~nts
I .~_,~_ _, _... ". _. ., J., . . ._ -;. ~ ~_.\~ ~
* fourth BVSc students, MVC., Chennai. \\
\
\ .
I

Ii

~.got OGPA higher than 9, while. in the trimester system 16.23% students obtained
~ OGPA above 3.6, again this trimester system gave the highest number of lowest
LOGPA of 30.13 per cent.
~ Out of 419 students under the trimester system the total number of girls
~,were 78 (18.62%) of which 33.4% of the girls obtained an OGPA ·above 3.6
~compared to 12.3% of boys. Only 12.78% of the girls obtained. the minimum
. OGPA of below 2.4 and 2.4 to '2.79 on the 'other hand 33.98% boys fell under
~ this category. Out of 333 students the total number of girls under the semester
. system for 3 batches was 149, which worked outto 44.74% of the total, 25.50%
of the girls under the semester system obtained an OGPA of 8.0 to 8.9 as
I compared to 16.28% of the boys, only 4.69% of the girls got the lowest OGPA

6.0 to 6.9 while the boys out numbered them with a 16.83%. The girls under
.·.both the systems had,scored higher marks then the boys, but underthe semester
system the highest OGPA of above 9 was reached by boys alone although it
was just 0.3%. • . .
The trimester system could have made even a studious student to
become lazy, as not much hard work was needed to gain a higher OGPA, thus
slackening his study hours and concentration.
The semester system on the other hand is definitely more orgariizeo
than the trimester system. The period of study is extended and common
examination -is coff"di.fctea Wnere "the pa-pe{is 'set by som'eone otner than ·the.
course teacher. Further, the syllabus was covered, adequately. The system made
the student to work hard for marks and this is proved by only 0.3% of this students
were able to reach above 9.0 OGPA, in other words out of 333 students only 2
had an OGPA of above 9.0. Also it was noticed that the percentage of students
getting the lowest OGPA was comparatively lower to the trimester system, this
could be due to more stress on time and studying. Every where even in school
girls seem to do better than boys it is no different here, may be the girl student~
have less distraction when compared to ~he boys.
Comparative 'performance of students under the trime.ster and .semester system
System Trim'ester Semester
Grade Range <2.4 2.4-2.79 2.11- .19 3.2·3.59 >3.6 6.0·6.9 7.0 -7.9 8.0 - 8.9 9.0>
Total No. of students 55 72 99 125 68 38 227' 67 1
Total %of students 13.12 17.18 23.62 29.83 16.22 11.41 68.17 20.12 0:30
Total No. of girls 3 7 10 . 32 26 7 105 37
Girls %among total No. of students 0.71 1.67 2.38 . 7.63 6.20 '2.10 31.53 '11.41
Girls %among total No. of girls 3.84 8.97 12.82 41.02 33.33 4.67 70.00 24.67
Total No. of boys 52 65 89 93 42 31 122 30
Boy's %among total No. of students 12.14 15.51 21.24 22.19 10.02 9.30 36.64 9.00 0.30
Boy's % among total No. of boys .15.24 19.06 26.09 27.27 12.31 16.94 66.67 16.39 0.55

. Acknowledgement
_., - 'The authors would like to thank the Dean, 'Madrai Veteri'naiy-College
and 'staff for their help in providing us the data .regarding the grades.

47
 HIGHER EDUCATION IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
V.RAMKRISHNA
Professor and Head ,Dept.of Anatomy and Histology
Veterinary College Bidar (Karnataka) ,
Education is the n:tost potential instrument for the social change. No matter
what institution you chqose, the quality of educati'on should be good. Higher
education has become a talk recently in all spheres of education. Human
resource development is more concerned in the primary education, where as
educationists feel higher education is essential for the overall development of
nation, The basic task of higher education at alltevels should be to generate in
the young generation a sense of purposefulness and mission, dedication,
confidence in themselves and faith in the countrys future.
The application of Veterinary Science to a predominantly ,Agarian society
is beyond description as animal husbandry contributes a major share of GDP
in the national economy. The undergraquate programme in Veterinary Science
fOJ the B.V.Sc. course have become unified with the effort of Veterinary council
of India; But very little" interaction ~nd ,debate 9n the, system and content of
post graduate education has been made, which needs a' Change: Are we s'atisfied
with the present level of postgraduate education .or needs changes? Are these
higher study courses are rigid and irrelevant to contemporary as well as emerging,
needs?
Society Related Curriculum
...
The profession should learn to tolerate experimentation with curriculums,
educational programm~s and methods of instructions. The over all goal for the
higher education should focus different Iprogrqmmes. Diversity will contribute
rouch towqrds a strong National Veterinary education and will increase the
profession ability to respbr;1d to the needs of a changing society.
. \
Higher education and Veterinary Research
. \
A Unique opportunity exists today because of spectacular recent
developments in biotechnology and information management to strikingly
improve the health, productivity and u~ility of the many animal species which
contribute to human welfare. Rese~rch on animal health in Veterinary Colleges
should be expanded to take advantage of this opportunity, Veterinary research
~hould focus primarily on the improvement of care; productivity, health of var;ious
~nimal species and protection of human beings from food borne dise.ases~
chemical residues and environmental causes. \
• I - ,
. .
- \\
48 .
Thrust areas
• Integrating collaborative research and extension.
• Responding to professional environment
• Addressing the local needs.
several latest technologies, research and developmental activities increasing
the production have been neglected which can be met by upgrading the skills
end providing higher education. This is a serious and difficult issue but can not
be neglected. In my view effectiv~ use of man power, financial resources and
participation -of private sector will definitely influence -the improvement in
Veterinary Education.
Bgsidential requirement and core subjects
Veterinary Council ot:Jndia in their post graduate education draft indentified
the need for man poWer with
Higher professional qualification in four frontline areas.
a} Ma n power needed to man specialist service
b) Man power for th~ professional administration with orientation OJ:
development programmes and training to monitor various spheres of
activity.
c) Man power needed to handle the UG education at various teaching
institutes as per vel norms
d) Man power needed to handle various Higher Education and Research
programmes
To meet out the above front line areas Veterinary council of India has
i)uggested Short courses, Refresher courses, Diploma ~nd Post graduation
courses aimed at professional efficiency development.
As stated UG education is neither meant nor capable of providing specialist
education to cater to such needs as may arise. For this purpose post graduate
education is envisaged.
Tq provide :more objective"oriented curricular training Post Graduate
Degree shall ensure that an incumbent· becomes complete in the followin:
1. Capable of providing a better professional service in the subject of
speCiality by acquiring better skill and communication
2. Kn?wledgeable to the extent that he is abreast wit~ glob~1 developments
I

3. Competent enough to identify, choose, plan and ex cute experiments or

scientific investigations and interpret the results.
4. A P.G. professional should be an efficient scholar with an overall
proficiency on all aspects of the subject without loosing its relevance to
Veterinary Science and service.
The minimum residential requirement for the M.V.Sc. and Ph.D degree
courses are 4-6 s,emesters respectively, Generally for M.V.Sc. courses 2/3 is
assigned as course work and 1/3 as research, while for Ph.D it is 1/3 rd course
work and 213rd research. However in many Universities at Master's level minimum
core courses have not been spelt out. Tl1is results very often in complete
exposure of the main subject. At master's level the student should not be
given option to leave out any area required for a comprehensive coverage of
the subject.
There is a lot of variation between institution to institution for post graduate
teaching varying in the credit hours, courses and their groups .. Dr.E.J.L. Soulsby
,the eminent parasitologist and educationist of U.K. remarked that" Postgraduate
teaching should"not aim at filling the pail, but to light the flame All of us know
II

this, but due to la'ck of staff,.PG teaching has not been efficient. If our teaching
is not efficient, evaluation will also be faulty. This may be one reason why
uniformly high grades 'are obtained by most of the post gra~uate students.
What about practicals? The post graduate teaching should provide an
opportunity to inject strategically new skills which are provided at UG levels .. A
cloie look is absolutely necessary to improve upon our PG practical training.
Regarding ~esearch,I do not want to jump into the fray to decide,whether
we should have basic, fundar;nental, applied or adaptive research. Nodoubt
research has improved the quality of faculty and that high quality original research
is the life blood of technological, progress, A master degree thesis should act
as a test of the capacity for undertaking research. But a Ph.D thesis should --"
have an originality and contribute tQ the science. An integrated multidisciplinary
post graduate courses for the societal needs has been supported by eminent
educationists in Veterinary Scien~e like Dr. R.S.F. Cambell, James Crook
University, Or.E.J.L. Soulsby - Cambriqge University, Dr. Hammond- University
of Edinburgh. \ . \ ' \
f Veterinaril:fns are lansing opportunities to other specialists bec~use dl1r\
system has not yet made changes to prepare Veterinarians for a broad range of \
specialized paths. IFood safety is onelarea. Dr.Lester Crawford Executive Vice \
Pr~sioent of International Food Processors Association made the Statement
that "ille food supply of tomorrow be safer than that of today". Other areas
I
, 50./
 could 'be :animal husbandry management, wild life disease manag~ment,
'biotechnology, stem cell prdpogation etc. Based on this Dr;·-Robert·Phemister
'remarked'during the 'symposium "Preparing"the Veterinarian for the 21 st Century
in U:S!A- we 'must :change ". If we limit' our thinking we are limiting our
opportunitie,s.
fAtiastdonot under·estimate higher:education in any discipline, 'the fact
.thalmanyipeopie lake'time'offfrom their careers to catch up With higher'education
is :evidenced :enough that there is more to it than a string of letters of after a
name.
 CHALLENGES TO VETERINARY EDUCATION-IN IND.IA
ANKITA KILtEDAR AND A.K. JAIN
Department of Physiology & Biochemistry .
College of Veterinary Science & A.H., SK Nagar, Gujarat 385 506

The vel has done a great job by bringing about uniformity in the. syllabi
of various veterinary colleges in India. The. challenge of producing competent
veterinary graduates capable of performing differentroles will be hopefully fulfilled.
by introduction of various new courses. Integration of agriculture, animal science
and environment has to be done for sustainable increase in quality of life of
rural masses dependent on livestock. The extension channels of veterinary
institutions still need a lot of ~ork at grass root level for dissemination of advanced
technologies. Further, the animal produce has to stand in global market both
quality and quantity· wise. With perennial drought situations in many states in
India, it becomes mandatory on the part of veterinarian to evolve the strategy
. for pulling the animals through scarc_ity. Thus disaster and calamity management
should also form ·apart of professional training. The outgoing students should
be trained in language and communication skills as well ~s in entrepreneurship
development because the chances of employment in government sector are
declining: There should be placement and counseling cells which would help
the students to procure jobs. The feedback from old students is a. must to have
the knowledge offield co.nditions. For this purpose alumuns associations should
be formed to keep in touch with the old Istudents. There should be regulatory
bodies in restricting the role and duties of paraveterinarians.

\
\
•

CHANGES IN VETERINARY EDUCATION IN INDIA: ROAD TO

I' THE FUTURE
.. P. S.MOHANKUMAR*, SHEBA M. J. MOHANKUMAR*, R. SRIDHAR# AND
V.LEELA
*Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, M148824, USA, The Education Cell, Madras
Veterinary College, TamiiNadu Veterinary and Animal Scie,nces, Chennai - 600 007, India.
# Presenting ~uthor ' .
. The celebration ofthe centenary year at the Madras Veterinary College
gives us all immense pride ~nd pleasure in the grdWth and development of our
profession over the last ten decades. This pro.,{ides us a glimpse of the long
tradition of excellence in education and training of veterinary medicine in India.
This occasion also brings us together to discuss the current status of veterinary
education in India and suggest proactive measures that might be required to
bring u.s up to speed with the times of change and need.
\

Importance of Basic Veterinary Education

Veterinary profession is in the forefront of development in science and
technology in terms of health and medicine in the world. By receiving a well-
rounded basic education, veterinarians arrive ready with the much-required broad
understanding of how a living organism works and impart their skills in many
areas. Apart from the well-recognized' role in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases in animals, a veterinarian plays a critical role in a number
of areas induding human health, research and development. Veterinarians also play
important roles in drug development and pharmaceutical industry, food industry,
governmental and regulatory affairs, teaching and research, eMl services, etc.
The current veterinary curriculum recognizes some of these aspects and
provides for the most part a solid foundation for veterinary students during the
9-semester stint in various veterinary colleges in the country. In the following
paragraphs we explore some of the possible modifiCations to the veterinary
Curriculum to suit the individual needs of veterinary students. .
Sorp.e schools iri North America, specifically in the USA, follow a pattern
of tra~king much early during the course of veterinary program. Students are
" encouraged to choose their specific areas of interest and are given opportunities
I to hone their skills in that area by offering courses a"nd extemship training in
special centers. While there may be advantages and disadvantages to such an
'I :~rly trackir;1g of students, Y"e coulcj opt ~ome of the po~itive aspects of this
-

(if" Research
Students, in general, don't get enough opportunities to familiarize themselves
with research opportunities during their veterinary program. It is known that
at least, 10% of the students in a given class will be interested in pursuing a
research career. It is important t6 encourage these students to pursue their
interest, since these are the students who will probably. choose to work in
the academic environment and get involved in teaching.
There could be a research wing under the leadership of the Dean or an
a~sociate dean in charge of research in the college who could oversee the
process. A list consisting of faculty members in the college who. are interested
in research arid are willing to train students could be compiled. Then, during
the second semester of each year the students could be contacted to find
out whether they would be interested in participating in ·this experience. An
institution sOC(h as Madras Veterinary College cim support at least 20 students
a year to partiCipate in this program. Generally, students from the first three
years are encouraged to participate in this program, as advanced students
in the curriculum might have more clinical load and 1118Y not have enough
time to participate in the program. .
It is imperative that the participating faculty members and stlJdents who
'participate in this program and the students who are willing to work in the
program are recognized for their hard work. This could be accomplished in
a number of ways. A fi~ed budget should be allotted (approximately Rs
2,00,000 each for Madras Veterinary College and Veterinary College and
Research Institute, Namakkal - a total budget of Rs 4,00,000 for both the
colleges). This will provide\~s 10,OOO/student for 20 students. Out of this
Rs 10,000, half (Rs 5,000) of it could be used for providing a small stipend or
Rs. 1,OOO/month for three mOllths and Rs 2,000 could be used for stUdents'
travel to present the finding of their research in a symposium or a meeting ..
The other half (Rs 5,000) will bk, diven to the mentor for research suppl~s
and other research-related expenses.
!, \ •
f>uring the summer research experience, regular meetings between mef!tors
and participating students should be. organized to monitor their progress~"At
the end of, the l training programme, t~e stUdents will be required to pr~senf\
" their findings in a college-wide annual research day. These presentations, \
could be in aposter format as well as slide presentations. Students in each
I

, category s~q~ld be given prizes for best performance. The 'abstracts of the.
presentations.can be compiled in the.form of a booklet. Also, at the end of
the program the mentors should be recognized for their time and effort bv a.
 luncheon. The research day could be organized· by the students with the
help of a faculty advisor. This will give them an opportunity to obtain
experience in organizing scientific events. A programme such as the one
described above will give students' ample opportunities to, get acquainted
with research process and will give them a' feel for a research career. '
r:7 Clinical Training
Along the same lines as the research program, those students who are
interested in specific areas of clinics should be given opportunities to get
additional training. A list of faculty who are interested in mentorfng students
in the various clinical areas should be compiled and interested students
should be given opportunities to work with them on a competitive basis. It is
understood that the clinical programme probably will attract more students.
Students will be selected on a competjtjv~ basis based on merit. As in the
research. programme, Rs 10,000 should be allotted per student and the cost
could be subdivided as described in the research programme. At the end of
the programme, the students could present a single case that they were
involved ,with as part of the Research day celebrations under the session
"Clinical Case Presentation". It is also possible to involve students in clinical
research if there' is enough interest with funding for clinical projects.
Another programme that could be instituted for students is 'shadowing a vet'
programme. Students could be matched with prospective mentors in a
specific clinical area and could 'shadow' them during the summer. This will
give them ample opportunities to work with an expert in the field and gain
practical experience. -
r:7 hldustry Experi'ence
A simil~r programme could be instituted for those students who are interested
in gaining experience in pharmaceutical I biotech industries by setting up
collaborations with companies. Apart from providing opportunities for
stu~ents, this will create an environment, which will be conducive for the
college faculty to interact with the scientists in these industries. This will
also increase the funding for industry-based research in the college. These
.industries could then be persuaded to provide funding for training for
postgraduate education both in research and in clinical specialties.
, Regulatory & Goyernmental Affairs I Civil Services I Banks I Insurance
As suggested before, a list of veterinarians who are working in the regulatory
and_governmental. areas,. civil. services, banks .. and.. insurances could .be
contacted and enquired about their willingness to participate in the. mentoring

55
 programme. Then, these prospective mentors ~ould be paired with interested
students and could work with them for the summer.. This will provide valuable
experience for the students'. This will also give a sense of satisfaction for
those veterinari~n$ who are not cjirectly involved in veterinary medicine per
se by involving themselves in training "Vet~rinary stud~nts. ~
Conclusions
Thus, a formal training programme, which is tailored to the needs of
individual students in different areas is essential. This will provide the students
a glimpse of all the possible opportunities that ~wait them after graduation and
help them pick a field of their intere~t. If the participating faculty and mentors
and students are provided proper encouragement, th~ programme will flourish.
For this purpose, both the faculty, students and mentors haye to be recognized
for their time and effort. If the students ~nd mentors participat~ based on their
, OWn interest, they will take the ownership of the .prOgramme, which is important
. ~o! t~,e successful continuation of the programm~~

, \
56
 THOUGHTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALTIES IN
VETERINARY MEDICINE IN INDIA
I

SHEBA M. J. MOHANKUMAR*, P. S.MOHANKUMAR~ R. SR!DHAR AND V.

LEELA#
*Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, M148824, USA,
The Education Cell, Madras Veterinary College, TamiiNadu Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, Chennai - 600 007, India.
# Presenting author
The dawn of the centenary year for Madras, Veterinary College gives us
great pride and happiness. This institution has been a continental leader for
l
several decades and has generated iarge numbers of quality veterinarians. The
service provided by these veterinarians in various s.ectors ~uch as education,
animal and human health, administration, finance and politics is a valuableiasset
·to our nation. This is therefore an 'im'portant time to. recognize the' contributions
provided by the fa"cUlty, staff and administrators ofthis college. More importantly,
it is a time for reflection ?Uheveterinary curriculum at the TamiiNaQu veterinary
and Animal: Sciences University (TANUVAS}and debate the need for establJshill9
Specialties· in Veterinary Medicine. This 'WiII enable 'us. to take the, necessary
steps to meet the needs of a changing world in the neW century.
I . . . .
Rol~ of higher education in the Veterinary Profession
. Students who cOrl)plete their bachelors degree in Veterinary Medicine
receive abou,t 4 se.rne.ste~ oHntense clinical expos.ure. Although thery are tender
in years when they graduate, the broad based foundation that they receive in
Veterinary medicine during their undergraduate training, enables them to venture
into the field of veterinary practice. ~bout 10% of any graduating class returns
to obtain a Master's 'degree in Veterinary Science. This master's degree is
basically a research degree with either clinical' or baSIC scien'ce ori'entation. This
degree is essential for students who are planning on enterlng academia as
scientists or teaching faculty. In many cases this· degree does not make a
person a better clinician.
The. need for the development of specialties'
Considering the incre'a~e :jn pet animal practice, and the growing
population of sophisticated clientele, it ~ecomes critical for Us to rethi"nk our
treatment options. Clients in present day veterinary medicine are more informed
about treatment strategies', and a're
.~ . ,
ftjlly~cap-atile-of'affofdirig iidvanced vetennary
," r~ , ... _ , "
care for their pets. In order to provide this level of veterinary care, we should
have a curriculum that supports additional training in Surgical specialties such
as General surgery and Orthopedics, Pathology, and medical specialties suoh
as Cardiology, Neurology, Derm.atology, Oncology, Zoo animal medicine etc.
Producing qualified specialists in these' areas requires intense clinical training.
Clinical cases that require additional and specialized care can then be referred
to these specialists for treatment. This is not a new philosophy. .In fact, these
specialties have been in existence in human medicine for ages. This is also
being practiced in Veterinary Medicine In western countries. In the twenty first
century, when our clients consider their pets as family members and are williQg
to provide the utmost care for them, it is our responsibility to rise to the occasion
and provide the care that is needed.
How do we go about starting Specialty training in Veterinary Medicine?
Making changes in existing curricula is sometimes difficult, and time
consuming. But it nevertheless outweighs the benefits that. the Veterinary
profession will reap. Briefly, students who. show an interest in o_b_t~ining additiona,l
training in a specialty will have to enroll hi a 2 or 3 year program called a "resid~ncy
program". They will be required to take advanced clinical courses enc:::omp~s..sing .
all sub specialty subjects under experienced ,faculty.. Theywill also b~.requir~d
to spend a large portion of their time in treating animals that come to the teaching
hospital on a regular basis. They would also playa major .role in the c~~ualty
ward. At the end of the training program they will be required to pass a tough
Board exam after paying a fee. The examination will be compiled by faculty in
that area from one or two other colleges in the country. Once they pass the
board exam the candidates are "Board certified'~ and becomespecialists:- They
are eligible to practice veterinary medicine in their specialty. ',~
This program can be started locally
. , at the state
. . level and can then be
extended to the national level with a single National Board exam that is c<;>ml11on
for all veterinary colleges. '.~oard certified specialists then could act a~ mentors
to train future. residents in tneir area of expertise:
Benefits of establishing sp~cialty training
Training under an experienced faculty member or a specialist enables a
candidate to provide in depth examination of .an animal, evaluate ras.ults frorp
tests, describe lesions and the cQ(1d!tion adequately in a form that is acceptabie
a~d professional. This cannot be achieved with a Master's degre~ in veterinary
Medicine. Fo~ example, a board c,ertified pathologist is expected to describe
. gross and .. histopathological lesion~ .in .detail, prO\lid.~ _a" morp.hological',. t!nd
etiological diagnosis. In describing a, tumor, the specialist would indicate th_e \
" ! ~ \

58
location, the invasiveness, the cell composition, nuclear size, shape, mitotic
index and vascular invasion to deduce the nature of the tumor. Based on these
details, the pathologist would suggest that the tumor is either malignant or benign.
and what kind of treatment would probably be the best for the patient. Further
treatment can then be left·to a veterinary oncologist. This will help reduce·
treatment costs, time and benefit the patient as well as the patient owner. As a.
result, the popularity of our profession would improve.
Conclusions
Establishing specialties in veterinary medicine is an important step that
we need to take for bringing our profession in par with other advanced nations.
Madras Veterinary College has been a leader in Veterinary Education in India.
Jt js only natIJraJ that we continue to take the necessary steps to establish these
specialties and remain a regional leader for the profession.

59
 VETERINARIANS IN ARMY: RETROSPECtS AND
"
PROSPECTS
LT COLONEL K.,N.YADAV
COMMANDING OEFICER, .
"
1(TN)R&V SQN NCC
The Remount and Veterinary Corps of the Indian Army which constitutes
the Army Vets as officers has a glorious history of. more than two centuries. The
founder Principal of the Madras Veterinary College a century back from 1903 to
19.09 was Major W.D. Gunn; an Army officer of Royal Veterinary corps. Major
Rqbertson of elseWhere Royal Indi~n Veterinary Corps in' pre-independence
era is the'famous co-~uthor of Miller'sPractiqal Animal Husbandry (from 1934
to 1954). It is still one of the standard books for animal husbandry including
., equine. Dr. Hickman the renowned equine practitioner Of 'UK was part of RVe
during British India. There are many more to count and th.e list is exhaustive to
cr~dit their contribution to veterinary profession in India.

RVC, an intrinsic component of Army, has. ~n excellent track record of

performance in meeting the operational challenges under most trying and difficult
conditions including high altitude and sub-zero temperature. A very high standard
of physical fitness af th~ animals (Equine, Canine & Bovine) in the army is a
tribute to Vets of RVC. Their selfless devotion and dedication to the service is
always comm~n~able at all forums since inception of the corps.
The Ministiy of Agriculture, Govt. of India, has'identified the Corps as,
Nodal Agency fot Equine and Canine development'in the country.
The Vets have participated in various, pre and post independence,war &
:operations including World War I&H, 1965, 1971 operation & Kargil operation.
RVe is also the part of Goodwill Mission of United Nations Army of India in the
/
countries where required. ,
,

r:r Vets and outstanding p~rformance by Army Dogs

Rve officers are close.ly involved in training of Army dogs. We are inde~d
proud of the commendable performance of Army dogs and their trainer in RVC
in the. counter insurgency operations during the height of militancy in Northem &
Eastern border of the country, especially;in mine and explosive detection, trackJng
down the militant, detection o( Hidden' arms, ammunition and explosives,
accompanying the infantry patrols,and guarding the vital defense installations
in forward are~s. In many countrie~ the canines are part of inner most security
-6fWIP. The 'acts"of 'gallantry-&-declicated 'services 'of vets & their Kg 'forbes
have been recognized by decorating'various gallantry and meritorious servfc.e
- \
I 60 .

./
awards. The vets work in close co-operatiory with Engineers for detection of
mines and explosive in terrorist activities aiong with the dogs'. 'The dogs are '
force multiplier in army and are 8uthotised helicopter evacuation for their
treatment when ever .fallen sick. The avalanche rescue operation dog saves
at
many life in snow borne forward area by sniffing bodies a depth of incisive 30 '
ft. The cost of fully trained dog goes up 'to 60 td 76 thousand rupees because of '
sophisticated training and management rendered by vets.
c:r R&D
For more than a decape the Defense Research and Development
Organization (DROO) Laboratory of High Altitude which j5 conductihg research
and experiments in AnimaVAgriculture field is c;:ommanded: by' RVe Officers
I . ,

The C~ntr81 Military V~terinary Lab. is only unit of its kind ]'1 the Indjan
Army raised prior: to Second World War. It is recognized National iap for diagnosis
of equine and canine disease as well as referral lab with. contai.nment facility of
p3 type lab along with ,various other modern infrastructures. Variou~ OBT &
ICAR research projects are routinely taken up, It is alsoa reGognized in~titut~ by
local university for awarding Doctorate. .
1 I_J
c:r Veterinarians fo(FQod inspecti.on., .- : ... ' 1 .. ~-.. -- & _ ... ~ _.

RVe is also responsible for Meat Inspection duties. The troops ar~
issued mE3a~, fish and poultry as well as Tinned items after veterinary
inspection. Th~ veterinary microbiologist monitors the quality of preserved,
food. ' '
Qf"
. "
Disease control and Biological Warfare
.. "
Despite having divergent equine population, the di~ease control
measures for Glanpes (zoonotic disease) adopted qy Rye is a model for Asian
countries and for many decades we are free from this ~isease amongst the-
army animals. The Army Veterinarian has to play the pivotal role to safeguard
the country from emerging Biological. Weapons'like Anthrax and others. ' .
Qf" Livestock breeding
The RVe i~ performing the largest hybridization' experiment on equines
in Asia by'producing the quality Mount~in Artillery.and General Service mules
for various reqyirements. To 'produce quality horses for equestrian sports and
dogs for operational use the extensive breeding with parents of superior proven
pedigree and performance is carried out. The trained ~orses apart from army
utilization for President Body Guard and 61it cavalrY _
- .. .......-(one
.... of ...........
the few _-__.._
~- ..".
existing
- .

61
•

cavalry in the world ),are being sold to police, paramilitary forces and neighboring
countries. Similarly the trained Dogs are also given to National Security Guard
and other security organization including abroad. Notwithstanding with this many
vets of the corps has won medal in equitation sports in Asian games and achieved
merits in various International competition.
r;r Continued education & training
RVC centre and school the alma mater for RVC personnel where they
join, get trained and serve the nation till they retire from the service, conducts
various specialized training courses and recognized P.G Diplomas as per our
requirements of army. The NDEHMS course for equine specialization offered
by the institute is only of its kind in Asia is conducted by us and recognized by
IVRI. The same is also offered for state govt's nominees.. Coaching camps and
clinics for Asian Games probable by Equestrian Federation of India are also
conducted here. Many officers are the international judge for Asian and Olympic
equestrian games, course designer and event veterinarians of international
games . Foreign officers of friendly countries are regularly trained by RVC. The
Dog Training wing is the sole pioneer of its kind ,in country and recognized
nodal institute of canine breeding & tr~inging. Most of the outstanding dog
Trainers fo~ star performer dogs including "Zanzeer" whcfhelped to recover high
explosive in ~ombay blast - case were trained at Rve.
The farriery wing of the Corps is the oldest institution in Asia and in our
country and is cOnsidered to be the best - training establishment in farriery.lt
imparts basic specialized tr~ining on surgical .shoes and farrier tools.
r;r Army as a career
. ~

The army affords a choice of a career that any veterinary graduate can
hope for. Apart from leadership and managerial skills that are inculcated by one
/ in army, it also offers the unusual attraction of excitement, adventure and social.
status that other professions can not possibly offer. We have diverse field to:
offer with full professional ~atjsfaction.The health & physical fitness regarded
as greatest wealth of mankind is being cared and monitored only in Army. /
The army has its own rules and regulations which may appear strict but
are necessary to maintain discipline & healthy atmosphere. We lay tremendou~
stress on loyalty, integrity and co~rage. Army career is open and straight forwarq
and there are no cut throats. It,is free from political pressure. Ours is an
organization w.here merit alone counts for promotion .While commissioning due
-'¢reditis.given.tothose.having.higher;qualifiq~!ion_a..rlQ;..o.neJoJw.Q.YEt~r§ §l~le~ate.
seniority is given to MVSclPhD _.- -- -- .~\
\

62
\
 The vefs life in anny is full of adventure. We work in deserts, jungles, mountains
and plains. The officer is required to be posted anywhere in the country which gives him
opportunity to see our great country, and to know the people.
RVC is the first to offer Non practice Allowance (NPA) in the country.
Apart from handsome salary, subsidized house, free ration & school transport,
concessional railway/Air traveling and many other benefits are provided to the
officer. The short service co~mission officer are given preference in job in other
organization after discharged from RVC .They are also absorbed as Permanent
Commission Officers. To acquire the higher qualification the officers are sent
on study leave with full pay and benefits.
r:r Conclusion
The RVC is a fascination field for the young veterinary graduates. To
face the challenges offuture and fast changing military milieu, we have to strive
hard to keep ourselves abreast with the latest development in the field of
veterinary science and also to reorient ourselves to the changing military
requirements. At the graduation level more emphasis is required to given for
practical training in the field of equines. A course of farrier and surgical shoeing
will go in long way to face challenge by young,veterinarian in field'.
To give more emphasis on dogs, there is requirement of the special
courses of canine breeding & management as well as the course on canine
psychology and training. The trained vet can prove a better dog trainer than
anybody else. , '
A practical course on equine breeding management, physiotherapy in
sport$ horses, equine sports medicine should be introduced. Equine Dentistry'
and :cardiovascular m~mitoring, sport performance evaluation are the
upcoming fields.
H&V NCC units in veterinary Colleges of India are peculiar of its kind
having quality spo~s Army Horses of high pedigree. The units are with out
standing talented farrierry & equitation instructors. RVC officers command them.
Presently only half the colleges have these ,units and some more are in pipeline
. NCC 'cadet are sent to RVC centre & school on attachment to give exposure of
the corps. They routinely participate in Republic Day Camp and National
Integ'ration Camp every year at nationallavel. Certain problem area unfolded in
hormal education are taken care by these units. R&V Nee should be introduced
as O+1·credit course of three years duration for under graduate in VCI syllabus.
_This, 'I(~II:c_ontribu.te; to mOl!(d:oyol!ng_~pe_qia/~secf-'I(arriers"t9Jf!.~d ,adventurec;)Us
multifarious highly professional life and serve for the nation.

63.
 TELE'VET'MEDICINE - THE CHANGING PHASE OF
VETERINARY EDUCATION

G.KATHIRAVAN AND M.THIRUNAVUKKARASU

Dept of Animai 'Husbandry Statistics and Computer Applications
Madras Veterinary College, CMnnai - 600 007
I
Teleme~icrne
Telemedicine is generally defined as the use of telecommunications and
computer technologies with medical expertise to facilitate remote health care
delivery. Telemedicine literally means, "distance healing" being derived from the
combination of the Greek word "tele" meaning "distance" and the Latin word
IImederi" meaning 'fo heal': Telemedicine is not one specific technology but a
means for providing health services at a distance using telecommunication
technology, 'medical expertise and computer science.
, Telemedicine facilitates the best possible health care at any point oftime,.
taking the advantages of emerging information and telecommunication
technologie,s .. Tel,el1ledicine 'uses electronic signals ~to transfer'medlcal data in
real time from·one site to another ov'erComfhg ge(jgraphicall5arriers~- The medical
d~ta transmitted, may be in the form of high resolution ph.otograph~, picto-
micrographs, radiological images and scans, sounds, 'real-time' video pictures,
patient records, video conferencing, etc .
'The past
Telemedicine has been in use in one form or the oth~r for more than -six
, dec;ades. Telemedicine was practiced for quarantined ships and ships having'i11
sailors/passengers on them. who needed medical assistance but far away from
medical expertise. These communications (wen:;) sent through wireless mode.
I Then came the age of the ~adio and telephone that allowed voices to be

transmitted back and forth. However, the mission of man to go around the space .
had contributed immensely to t~e development of telemedicine~, The efforts of
various space administrations in telemedicine began in late. 1950s. The s,cie.ntjsts
at the space agencies devised ways and means, to 'see~listen-hear' in such a
fashion that would make it ap'pear that the, mission controllers are not actually
thousands of miles away but as if tftey\were Sitting inside the spacecraft along
with the astronauts. Thus came all tHe innovations, inventions and discoveries
that have made telemedicine a reality today. These ,early efforts and subsequen~
enh~mcements in communications s~tellites ,fostered, the developmenLpf\
telemedicine. \
\
\

64

/
1iJiO.
(,:;
.,<
~
of" Benefits
,';.

~.: Telemedicine, alike ordinary doctor, also allows the expert to see, to hear,
.::' -to talk, to review and to judge the patient except actually touching, though the
'.~'.: .emerging technology may one day allow the doctor to get a "virtual" feel of
+ touch. Telemedicine not only allows for easier and better patient management,
but also better supervision. Besides, telemedicine is a technology that permits
'. medical data to be stored, retrieved, exchanged and analysed anytime anywhere.
potential benefits of telemedicine are:
. . Enhanced access: Telemedicine can afford access to health care to
the unreached.
Economy: The travel expenses for availinglextending specialty
health care, the personnel! equipment cost for not
having to keep specialty care facility in rural hospitals,
and other costs can be minimised.
Diminished seclusion: Telemedicine provides a peer and specialist contact
for patient consultations and continuing education
Improved quality: Telemedicine permits the consultation among the
referring phYSician, the speciaiist and the patient
. . l-" through interactive ~video_ on-line..
Requi~ements

Although the expert may be present away, a nurse or a caretaker is still needed
to be physically present by the side of the patient to actually deliver the care (for nursing,
taking samples for investigation, recording the vital parameters, etc.).
Besides above, the followfng facilities are required at the end-user level
to provide as well as receive telemedicine. The list is neither exhaustive nor
exclusive. -
~ Desktop or Laptop PC, having multimedia capabilities, a suitable pointing
device (Le., mouse/trackballnoystick) and a colour (inkjet or laser) printer,
or an Information Kiosk which is touch screen enabled, and a video":
camera attached (plus, for the person who puts in data, a Suitable
camera and/or scanner);
)i;> A modem of 28.8 Kbps speeds or higher';
~ Atelephone line connectioh;
~ Internet connection with e-mailing(more.preferablyvideoe..mail) facility;
The computer is used not only for the front-end for inpuUoutput of
information but also for connecting to·the computer at the other end.-The video
camerii captures "live" video data and transmits in 'real time, which, is displayed

65
on monitor screen. The audio is captured with suitably placed microphones and
the output by the speakers. Modem connects computers to each other via a
valid telephoneconn~ction (land-based, satellite-based, and mobile). This gadget
converts the signals into a suitable form, which can be transmitted. The modulator
part converts the signals into a form that'can be transmitted; the demodulator
part reconverts them back into a form that the computer can "comprehend".
TeleVet Medicine
Already telemedicine is peing increasingly utilised by health care providers
in areas like dermatology, oncology, radiology, surgery, cardiology, psychiatry,
etc., in human medicine. As this will also permit veterinary professionals
conducting clinical research can be linked together despite geographical
separation by sharing patient records and diagnostic images, a better and instant
diagnosis' of diseases is possible, while exchanging information online on a
video/teleconferencing basis. Improvement of veterinary education in the form
of continuing veterinary education can also be made possible by linking several
veterinary clinical centres together with the veterinary institution. Some other
possible applications of the TeleVetMedicine could be:
Te/eguiding: Teleeducation of -veterinary physicians, residents and
", internship-trainees, teletraining and telesupport of clinical
."" equipment operation and maintenance. .
Te/econsultation:Consulting with specialists and among veterinarians in diverse
locations for time-alarming outbreaks of diseases, critical
trauma and also cases requiring a second opinion.
Te/ediagnosis: Extending expertise diagnostic servic~s to isolc;ited locations,
which lack skill and proficiency.
Summary /

Developments an<;I sophistication occurring around us emphasize that

veteri.narians too need to be realistic enough to face the challenges and use all
the available opportunities provided by emerging technologies for the betterment
of livestock and poultry. .
Designing and implementing TeleVetMedicine would be really challenging.
Its accompanying drawback~ are c,ertainly inevi~able, by any stretch of
imagination. If we veterinarian di~c(aims this advent of information technqlogy,
because of the stumbling blocks in fiscal and technical hurdles, we are sure to
{ose a golde~\ chance of being abie to provide the best of possible care to our
iivestock wealth'atleast in the near future. In conclusion, TeleVetMedicine'can
certainly be the futu~e of veteri"a~ e~ucation, research an~ practice. \
I \ -

66
 t: , ~ , '"'

THE INI=VITAB~E CHANG,E~. fOR VETERINARY CLINICAL

~ TEACHING IN INDIA
I ~ . ~

T.N.GANESH
Associate Professor of Veterin~rY SUrgery a'nd Radiology and
Resident Veterin~rY Officer, Madras ,Veterinary Coilege, Chennai 600 007
For couple of decades after independence of the nation the primary
concern for the government was to control and prevent diseases of livestock.
Hence, the poliGies and programme were evolved on the basis of the above
needs. However, the mandate shifted towards improvement in the genetic quality
of Iiv~stock ,and animal husbandry practices, apart frolT! health care. The
veterinary graduates were produced to fulfil the above requirements. During
the Jast roupJe of decades the tremendous growthobseNed in animaJ husbandry
sector in terms of leaps in the production of milk and meat resulted in
diversification of animal husbandry and veterinary service activities. These
included biotechnological methods to improve the genetic qualities of livestock,
newer trends in nutrition and managem.ent, production of quality based animal
products and 'effective control and treatment'of-diseases by adopting modem
equipment and techniques. .' -~'" '-'.. _- -.- . , '
- .
To meet the challenges ~of the present and future demands of farmers-
rearing livestock, entrepreneurs of livestock industry, companion animal owners
and public who are.in gr~at need of milk~ egg ~nd meat the approach towards
providing m,odern education tothe veterinary graduates has to be reconsidered.
Due to the manifold increase of livestock and pet population, the
improvemen,t in the genetic quality and production capacity of the animals and the need
for fulfilling the expectations'of the people in'the receiving end, certain changes are
neces~arily to be implemented. So the following inevitable changes in the degree
,programme Curriculum and "infrastruelure facilities of
academic institutions, teaching
methods and "training of veterinary students are put forth for consideration.
I. DEGREE PROGRAMME
1. Bifurc~tion Of pr,ese,nt B.V.Sc and A.H. degree programme into two different
degrees pr~grammes viz. "
a. Bachelor of Animal Sciences (B.A.S) to deal with improvement in the
genetic quality at livesto~k_, h4sbandry and management and production.
, J

b. Bachelor bf. Veterinary· MedjcineJB.V.M) to d~aLwith effectiv~ prevention

pnd treatmenlbfexiSting-and,emergiiig dis-eases. -
 2. Other option. would be to modify ,B.V.Sc d~gree course in introducing
specialisation in third year as Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Animal
Husbandry) I B.V.Sc (A.H) and Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Veterinary
Medicine) I B.V.Sc (V.M.).
3. Starting a degree or diploma course in Veterinary Nursing (B.V.N or D.V.N)to
produce qualified veterinary paramedical staff and to support the veterinary
professionals.
II. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING
1. To incorporate subjects only related to Veterinary Medicine viz., Anatomy,
Physiology, Parasitology, Microbiology, Basic Nutrition and Management,
including Pet Nutrition, Pathology, Clinical Medicine, Preventive Medicine
and Public Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Surgery and Radiology
in the proposed degree programme;
2. Conversion of system wise Anatomy teaching into Regional Anatomy and
strengthening Applied Anatomy.
3. Strengthening Clinical Biochemistry Clinical Parasitolo_gy, Clinic~1
Microbiology. GUnical NutritiQn, Clinical, Pharmacology, Clinical Pathology
syllabus, by increasing credit hours suitably.
_
.
4. Reducing,theory and increasing'laboratory and hospital hours by readjusting
credit hours of, clinical subjects.
5. To make interactive teaching and learning, introduction of mandatory
seminars, assignments, case study and clinical case presentation and grading
the stUdents.
,
6. Clinical problem solVing through group approach by formation of groups and
final evaluation of groups. '
7. Periodical farm visits along with staff during tne curriculum to get exposure
to clinical problems of farms
\
and to learn health care skills for group of animais
or stock.
8. Introduction of unit system to receive and perform preliminary examination I
investigation, admission and a detailed investigation, treatment or surgery
and discharge of cases by a $ingle t~am or unit (Associate Professor anc;t l'
or 2 Assistant Professors). • \
9! Learning basic surgical skills in models, carcass, observing surgery, trollying,
f' a~si~t~ng_pi,i_n_i~~1 ~~~rgery~~R~rfq_~irg "su~~,ry in, ~xperim~r;ltal ~nimal~ ~nd
I shelter animals (SPCA, Blue CrQss and N.G.O's) onder staff supervisi~n
and follow up of operated animals~," - \
S8

-
 10.'lncreasing Clinical Internship tr~ining duration to two semesters.,
11. Instead of grading only by final examination sparing 10-15 % of marks for
grading based on the students input in the. hospital (No.of hours spent, no.of
cases bandied etc.).
Ill. INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES
, '

1. To create n~cessary facilities in the. veterinary teaching hospitals to increase

the number' of hospitalization of cases. To attract more hospitalization
providing more number of large animal and sITla!1 animal ambulances. Making
final year/internship students to take additional responsibilities in caring the
inpatient animals round the clock.
, 2. Conversion of outpatient treatment halls into cubicles or consulting rooms
for more personal attention and also for better
, learning.
3. Creation ,of speciality units in the VTH's viz: Gastroenterology Cardiology,
Dermatology, Neurology, Ophthalmic surgery, Orthopaedic surgery,
Anaesthesiology, Oncology, Vaccination clinic, Infectious disease ward etc.
.i 4. Strengthening Veterinary Medical Record section with comput~ri~ation aDd
I ' incorporating VMR maintenance in P.G.syliabus"
5. Creating Blood banks in every VTH's along with facilities for keeping donor
animals (cattle and dogs).
; 6. Making availaple library facilities round the clock especially for P.G.students.
, 7. Strengthening leCture halls with LCD proje.ctor.and otherlban the usual audio
visual aids. -
~< ' '"

8. Providing facilities for interactive clinical teaching through computer software.

9. Tie up with developed institutions for better learning and solving clinical
problems through on line (Telemedicine).
10. Provision of Emergency, and Intensive Care Unit and incorporation of
Veterinary. Emergency and Intensive Care in the curriculum..
,

69
 DEMOGRAPHY OF THE VETERINARY GRADUATES
(1978 -2002)
FROM THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND
ANIMAL SCIENCE,UNIVERSITI PUTRA ( PERTANIAN )
MALAYSIA
S.VELLAYAN
Acting Director, National Zoo, Malaysia

Between 1978-2002, the faculty of veterinary medicine and animal science,

. Universiti putra Malaysia (Formerly universiti Pertanian Malaysia)produced 704
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates. there were 418 males and 28q females
and the cla~s size ranged from 12 to 60 students. The male to female ratio 0.5:1
to 6:1 with and overall ratio of 1.7:1. Across-sectional ~tudy revealed that the
'veterianry alumni were between 25 and 52 years old, of which 58.2%were under
35 year~ old. The study also showed that 457 (89.3%) were .employed, 25 (4.9%)
were pursuing graduate studies. 14 (2.7%) were' not employed and 16 (3.1 %)
were not t~itceable. those emplyoed were in civil service (43.8%), the private
sector (39.8%) and self-employed (5.7%). The main jobs in civil service were
"-
with the Department of Veterinary Services (11:2), tertiary
, institutions (65) and
research institutions (65) and research institutions (25)while those/in the private
'sector were with farm management (~2), small animal practice_ (43),
pharmaceutical-technical services (40)and animal feed-mills (28). There were
twice as many as male compared to female in ,all job categories except
educationand small animal practice were the number about the same. Slightly
higer proportion of female (89/160) was in civil service whereas a higher
proportion of the male 9164/295) Was in private sector. this trend indicates tbat
employment in private sector is increasing for both males and females.

70

/
 · SESSION - II
Revitalisation of Veterinary and Animal Science
curriculum for sustainable rural development
;--. = _Me_
.....-
t...

CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE

ANIMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
V. RAMA KUMAR
Ex-Secretary, Veterinary Council of India
Veteri:nary education has to be in line ,with the professional service
requirement in general and in line with the perspective of ,animal resource
development in India. Sustainability is an issu.e of the millennium and if
professionals are not trained to handle sustainable animal resource development
or pursue research which support or sustainability. The issues of sustainability
that concern the western world and India being different they are di.scussed in
that order ',
Sustenance is a state of harmony among Man, Animal and Environment
who are the major components of the biosphere. Civilization has grown through
a dY!l~rlli9 J)roces~_ !b.a! ~h_as ci1ang.ed Jif~. style, generated domestiG & feral
animals, agriculture (hi-tech and otherwise), communication, infrastructure etc.
To cope with these, corresponding changes take place in animals and
nature.There is constant interaction among man, animal and nature (M.A.N.) in
order to meet the needs of each. Resources keep qn changing hands in bringing
changes on the face of the earth including e~piution, biodiversity and even
extinction of species. The total diversity among animal genetic resources
contributes in many ways to human survival and development. Our effort
to protect or support anyone of the aforemen~ioned component or species of
animal or plant is balanced by changes or depletion of the others. In the "south"
the primary cause of environmental degradation is poverty and under-
development whilst in the "North" it is unsustainable life-style and over- ,
development. Perhaps the best way to study the harmony among the man,
animal and nature is the study of the needs of each component. Each
component of the life system has its role
If man takes an ivory tower attitude assuming animal or environment to
be less important an unba'ianced system will develop. Similar situation arises if
animal or environment j~ assumed to be more important
To assess the potential for animal resource development, one has to make a
holistic evaluation ·of the :requirements~for' animal-husbandry' (their·isoLirce,
availability, ~egularity" cost at site (if any) etc.). The primary inputs needed'for
animal rearing are land,' water, energy. Marketing and economics reflect
community need. .

71
 . High input-high out system of Animal prod~ction of the west may not be
adaptable, for-India for two reasons. It has,cause deterioration. It has resulted in
desertification 'aNtie lariq, sprea_d of exotic plants nitrogen rich patches created
as a result of the animal wastes, Green house effect., in large quantity is another
, point brought up against the animal protluctkm system of the west. Their residues
spread through animal waste like Growth hormones and antibiotics been
identified in causing en masse pollution of drinking water and death of fish. Soil
change, displacement of wild life', and cruelty 'issues are also' being raised
against beef, pork, chickens production. It is also reported that animal farms
have ,now replaced factories as the biggest polluters of America's water ways.
Si!,)ce as part ofgreen revolution (grain production) most favourable factors
of growth like Water, land ,'energy had be,en over used they can no more be'
tapped for animal husbandry- The economics of hi-tech animal production is
unfavourable due adverse factor productivity and marketing constraints. Animal
Husb~nd,ry system in India is essentially a vocation of millions of small holders
whoJaise animals on crop residUes (CR) and common property resources (CPR).,
the time tested conventional animal r~aring ,$~~tem needs to be
considered as the system,is not grain based, or iand' based. It does nofpu~
. animals to COlTlpete with man for food. The main stay of the system is a large
array of indig~nous breeds of domestic and semi-dontestic animals living
i'n' an absolute harmony' with man and nature. (Dr. C.M.Singh) "
,~
,,
Uniiatera'i developm~nt (without equity) have in, the we'st has started Showing,
symptoms in economic decay due to fast falling investment opportunities-in the, '
\;Vest. To avoid its spr~ad to India, there is an urgent need to, improv~ t~e
purchasing power of rurfll masses, which for~ a vast array of consumers 'f9r,
products manufactured in industrial! processing sector:
I . . . . .-" ' .'1
It is understood that comm4_nities have varying ,needs and different characteristics'
which makes any attempt 'to manipulate human activity, both dangerou$, and
often frUitless. ' ,. :,
,'I 'W~ should not discu\s the exp~rt policy, without ~onsidering H~man'
•

development within the country and without considering the current and future'
world market trend and market pull. Animal husbandry has a signific;ant role to
play in both sustai'nability 'and' human development. The role of a low input low,
out put system may have to be examined in' an unbiased manner giving due'
consideration to a holistic veterinarY"service involving, animal health, husbandry,
ahi!J1~lt r~l~te\LJechJ1.Ql.qgy;~ .cJLn!p.al veterimuy. 'servi,ce and -comm~nitYI
d~vetopment. For this it is ,essential, to review the vast'untapped-;poteri~ia),,\oft
animal resources of India. Information technology based on a national Anim~l,
Production and health Information $ysfem originating from the animql, its-ownet,~
the family, the community, 9istrict region and country in that order would be in)
order. \ \
7/2
 , . '_ 11 h , .' ,I' , _ .~ .! ' ,

THE TRENDS IN MODERN EDUCATION: A SPECIAL : ' .. I', ' '

REFEReNCE TO VETERINARY EDUCATION

A.P.BHOKRE* AND S.SJ(ULKARNI**
COLLEGE OF V~TERINARY ANP ANIMAL SCIENCES
UDGIR, DIST. LATUR. MAHARASHTRA STATE
li1- the history lof ,education, Indian tradition of pre-modern education is
pronou,nced with honour., However, despite its heritage ~no potential, modem
education is, b,lamed always f9r imitation of the non-relevant and n~m-concemed
values or for ·we~temisation'. This i$ ,also stated as one of the reasons of its
divergence fr,om real objectives. One major probable reason behind this is the
failurE} or ,confusion in)dentifying the true, n~eds <?f Indian way of social life,
economy and culture. The technical education iri agriculture ahd its allied
occupations CQuid have been its real policy as is opined by the intellectuals in
the field of education. The veterinary education began its pursuit of goais in
India as late as in 1886: However, its contribution ,in progress in the sector of
animal products and production has not been recognized in true sense by any
of the, sections of society, including technocrats, bureaucrats, planners, politicians
and'veteri,narians_a~ well. in the near past onlycPu,ld itgain some base with the
establishment of Veterinary 'Universities: A"great responsibility of 'these new
UniverSities is now to put the:end to divergence from goals of veterinary education
from its achievements, which should inClude an activism to boost up the
understanding of indispensability of:this noble l field. A review of the existing
situation and recommendations to activate the standardization of veterinary
education, are intended to be made. .... ,

It is recommended to - strengthen the Veterinary Universities more

with not only funds but faith and responsibility, - inculcate special drive for
more enthusiastic and vocational approach, - encourage privatization and
'urbanization' of the veterinary education, - understand the (risk) factors of
future food market and trading policies, - streamline curricula to yield a crop
of veteririarianswith modem attitude vis-a-vis the commercial opportunities, in
globalisation and understanding of the economic', ecological and 'social
aware n.ess , - expand,the arena of coverage of rural area youth for seeking
admissions in urban veterinary institutes. A policy should be thought over by
veterinary educationists to attract the attention and mentor of the society to
create career oppo_rtunities to veterinary stUdents so that, the admissions in
'veterinary education institutes'should not be sought-as an alternative to medical
education. In additiol1, vet~rinary education should b~ capable offac;iJlt~ting the
expansion of services to the door-step of th~ f~rmer.
....::-:-'_---..... ::"-_
~ .. '__'. . . . _'_ .. _~. _':"" ....... _. . _-_~__ ___'" - - - ----_0-. __ _

• Dean, ** Associate Professor '

73
•
VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM •
AN INTROSpeCTION
Dr.S. ABDUL BASITH
Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology &
"Technical Officer (Education). TANUVAS, Chennai .

.Education is a dynamic process and" it should be relevant to changing

heeds of "the society. Veterinary educatipn should: be aimed at improving
animal health and production and thereby uplifting tlie rural economy. The
~ducatron imparted should .be relevant to tne needs of rural farming commun"ity.
"Further the education should inculcate skill and knowledge to m~et the challenges
pf providing increasing employment opportunities to veterinary graduates' in
departments" academic institutions, industries, financial institutions and service
sector. Moreover, they should have enough entrepreneurial skill and confidence
to be a job provider than a job ~eeker.
Curriculum is the first and very important component oteducation. It is the
basic requirement and must be' understood welt so that the student to gain
knowl~dgi and develop'skilL-lt should "equip.,students with in~depth knowledge
in theory anq practicals to meet the challenges for coming decades. To ~eep it
relevant the curricula should be periodically reviewed and modified to suit the'
ever~changing requirement of the livestock farmers. A judicious bt~nd of basic
sciences with pre.;productiori/pre-clinical and clinical Gourses is considered a
prime requirement.
. .
: Veterinary Council of India has formulated a uniform curricula for UG
"education throughout india, so that the students can acquire knowiedge and
skill for better animal health care and inc~eased productivity. Though tbe syllabus
has been formulated for uniformity in vet~rjnaiy education so as to increase
overall proficiency of veterinary graduates in the field of health, production and
technology, there are certai~ lacunae which ne~ds attention of the academicians.
1. Provision of additional courses for Animal Husbandry courses like Poultry
Science
Poultry production il'llndia,.has witl'less~d seven-fold growth in the pa~t 1."5
years with. 15-20% annual growth rate. It contributed around
~ \ .
11,000 crones"
to
national GOP. There is great potential for Poultry industry in international market.
Veterinarianswith comprehensive knowledge imparted by individual department
-contributed towards modernization·a.nd technological upgradation~ Though\~tJe
subject is being taught in VCI syllabus,under
.'
various
.
departments it is imperative
,
I '
7·4
•

that additional courses be offered on poultry production and hatchery

management aptly by creating a separate poultry science department. It will
cater to the needs of the rural farm:ng community. Ministry of Agriculture has
placed poultry production ar c. ~ajor mandate to improve rural ~oultr:/.Production
to uplift people from poverty Ime. Further the knowledge gamed WIll enhance
the employment opportuniteR.
2. Heorganization in credit load of some courses
VBC 121 - Physiolo]ical Chemistry (Animal Metabolism, Systemic
functions and Enzymes) 2+1 credit - II semester
The cour.se content is/exhaustive. The following chapters may be deleted
a. Vitamins: structure and metabolic rate.
b. Bio-chemi~t(iY of Blood and other body fluids (being taught in
Physiolo~y)

c. Bio-chemistry of tissues
Reduction in course content into 1+ 1 credit may be explored so as to suit
the m~eds of Vetei 'nary graduates.
3. Rep~tition of courses:
VEP 511 - Preventive Veterinary Medicine 11- 2+0 credits -IX semester
Definition, incidence, etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission,
clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of Amphistomiasis,
,Gastrointestinal nematvdiasis, schistosomiasis, verminous bronchitis,
echinccoccosis, coenurosis, tapeworm infections.
The course contents are repetition of courses being taught in Veterinary
Helminthol09j.
4. DeletJcn of courses:
VBC 122 -Introduction to molecular biology and biotechnology - 1+1 credit
- II semester.
Application,o.fmpleculartechnological tools in animal sciences and disease
diagnosis cari be taught in the respec :ive diSCiplines. The course has got limited
field applications and the student can learn it separately while persuing post
graduation. ,A separate course in undergraduate level on this subject will burden
the student and hence the feasibility of deleting this course may be explored.
!III

ANIMAL HEALTH ECONOMICS - THE EMERGING FIELD FOR

~ THE FUTURE
M. THIRUNAVUKKARASlJ
Professor and Head
Dept. of Animal Husbandry Statistics and Computer Applications
Madras Veterinary College
Chennai - 600 007

With the increasing intensification and commercialisation of livestock and

poultry industries, the economic implications of livestock! poultry diseases are
becoming more important both at farm and national levels (Mcinerney, 1988),
as animal diseases1 symbolize avoidable waste of scarce resources. From an
economic point of view, a disease destroys the basic i'esources, reduces the
attainable output and or dwindles the resource use efficiency (Mcinerney, 1995).
As a result, a disease is considered to be a "negative resource" in animal
production,
In response to the increasing concern over the enormous economic losses
associated with the animal diseases, eslimation of diseases losses and
assessmentof the relationship between the disease and the animal en'lironment
were considered to be important so as fo draw atlention to 1he adverse effects
of the diseases on livestock farm and to determine livestock research priorities,
In recognition of this, there arose a need for an interaction of the disciplines
such as veterinary epidemiology and livestock economics, which could help
veterinarians on the econ.omic importance of animal diseases. This interaction
gave birth to a new discipline viz. Animal Health Economics to assess the
econqmic implications of anjmal dise~ses;
What is animal health economics?
Animal healt~ economi~ is described a~ the discipline that aims to provide'
a framework of concepts, proce~ures and data to support the decision making
process in optimising animai health \
management (Dijkhuizen, 1992) and in turn
farm management. In fact, the scientific foundation for this new discipline was
laid by Morris (1969) in Australia abqut 3 decades back by introducing economic
principles for making v~terinary decisions. The Netherlands is one of the first
few countries to adopt a'newer approaph in this fiuld being initiated by Rankema
and Stetwagan (1979). Since then, lots o\f conceptual refinements were made .
and now the I discipline has Gome to.remain
.
as a multidisciplinary field
encomp,assing the\fields of animal SCie. nee, epidemi,ology, statisti<t~ an,d \
econorrllCS, Through there have been a n~mber of studies undertaken In thiS,
76 ' \
field in the UK(University of Reading), the Netherlands (Wageningan Agricultural
University), the New Zealand (Massey University) and Australia, this field is yet
to be amply exploited in qeveloping countries like India. In fact, TANUVAS stands
ahead in the country by having initiated researGh in this emerging field in the
form of postgraduate research. Studies had be'en conducted to analyse the
economic'~consequences of mastitis '(Thirunavukkarasu, 1996), diseases in layer
farms (Selvam, ;2000) and' post partum reproductive disorders in bovines
(Jeyakumari, 2000). '-
Measuring the economic impact of a disease
: One reaSon for not being able to fully exploit this discipline by us is that
measuring the economic impact of an animal disease is not a simple task,
because the efforts of disease (Ngatagize and Kaneene, 1985):
o are not always obvious and well pronounced;
o are influenced by other factors such as management and environment;
o have a temporal dimension which adds to the complexity of evaluating
their impacts at different stages of time; and
o often manifest themselves in a complex condition with other diseases.
Disease loss estimation is not just a problem of measurement by itself; it
is a problem of disease making. Conversely, quantification of economic losses
due to"diseases is not very important in itself, but it can help to provide a better
overall view of the impact of disease and can contribute in estimating the extent
of the losses to b-e avoided. Disease loss data are required as information to
guide decisions about allocating resources to disease control. Quantification of
disease losses is not only important for describing the actual situation but also
to answer two inter-related'questions:
1. . How to limit the loss by veterinary intervention?
2. What efforts are required to avoid the losses and at what costs?
The defects introduced by the presence of a disease to livestock prodl!ction
system are manifested by the extra resource uses (expenditures) incurred in
offsetting the effects of the disease and the output losses represented by lowered
production (Mcinerney, 1987).
Economic framework of a livestock disea'se
Figures 1 and 2 show the economic implications of diseases on livestock
production. The, effect of animal .9iseases in a given production system is to
reduce the efficiency with, which 'inputs are -'convEiited rnto outputs, le~-they
11,1

decrease productivity. The effects of disease can be classified as direct or indirect.

Direct :effects inclu<;te:
1) Destruction of the basic resource of the livestock production process
through mortality of productive stock;
. 2) Lowering the .efficiency of the production process and the prod!Jctivity of
resources employed (for e.g. reduced feed conversion); and
3) Reduction in the quantity and or the quality of output.
Indirect effects include:
4) Additional costs incurred to avoid or reduGe the incidence of disease
(e.g. vaccination, quarantine) or to treat .sick cases, etc.; and

I
Fig 1 : Animal diseases in the livestock production system

,I Resources I \ I Outputs I 7 1Human benefit I

\ I / I
Land \ milk, meat, egg I / I
labour, \ manure I / I
capital \ etc. I // I
-feed \ I I / I
animals \ I I // I
etc. \ I I / I
---~ ~/ I
---~-------_j
I

/ Fig 2 : Effect (cost) of disease on a production system

1.

\.--~--...,
, Cost of disease

Vis.ibile losses \ \ Revenue Additional costs

• d~ath • reduced ferility \ foregone -vaccines
• stunting '. changed herd structure\. • poor marketability . • drugs
: .,&op.in- .. '::::.·:posUeed.cdnversion' • sub-optimal • labour \
I roduction ! \. oduction method \
~_.~~~---------------------------------------------~~~~~~------------------------------~ \
\
 5) Posing a threat to human health through spreading zoonotic diseases.
I

)istribution benefits of disease control

Control of animal diseases increases the efficiency of resource use in
he affected population: and consequently shifts the supply curve of. livestock
)roducts to the right. That is, farmers would b~ willing to produce more at the
;urrent price and a nOew equilibrium is 'reached (Otte and Chilonda, 2000), as
lIustrated in Figure 3. As a result of the new'equilibrium, both the consumer and
)roducer surpluses change. More of the product is being soold at a lower price.
[he consumer, who pays less, benefits and the producer, who sells more, also
)enefits. The areas band doin the figure represent the net"benefit to society as
:i whole. The distribution of the benefits of a given shift in the supply curve
jepends on the elasticity of demand. The more .the inelastic demand is, the
)reater will be the consumer surplus, while producers benefit (although little)
from the increase in production efficiency. Incre!3ses in supply and consequent
price shifts will have to be considered when theocontrol ofa particular disease is
ensured on a large proportion of farms, through national disease control or
eradication programmes.

Price

SuPP~ after control

p.

p.

Q. Quantity

Consumerbenefits: a+b Net benefit: b+d

Producer benefits : d-a

Fig. - 3

Use of economics in animal disease control programmes

Project appraisal, the economic analysis of projects before they are
undertaken (ex-ante anqlysis), and project evaluation, the assessment of projects
after they have been undertaken (ex-post analysis) are the two practical
applications of econqmic principles applied to decision-making in-animal.
-.~ - disease
-

79
 control. This consists of setting out costs and benefits over a number,of years
and comparing them according to certain prescribed conventions to determine
whether the disease control project would be profitable.
For an animal health project, economic theory can help to provide a
framework for ranking different disease control .alternatives and. to make a
decision whether to implement the disease control project or not, depending on '
the profitability of the project to the sector or the society. Obviously, decisions
cannot be taken on the basis economic considerations alone. First, the technical
feasibility of any proposed project must be examined by the relevant specialists
(veterinarians, animal husbandry experts, sociologists, management experts
etc.). Second, its overall compatibility with the poli,cies and goals of the sector
must be ensured, and, third, its feasibility from an organisational and social
point of view needs to be verified. ,~
Estimating the cost of disease
Quantification of losses due to animal diseases usually follows the disease
investigation work undertaken. Once the disease prevalence or incidence and
the nature and magnitude of the losses experienced have been defined, the
economic portion of the analysis proceeds to:
o Classify,and present the information on disease losses;
o Quantify losses in monetary terms;
o Identify and quantify the indirect losses attributable ,to a disease.
The majority of th,e effects are most conveniently calculated in terrn§ of
lowered output. In some cases (delays in reaching maturity or slaughter weight),
the loss may be more easily evaluated in terms of wasted inputs. A more
sophisticated e~timate would include the trme value of the delay in reaching
maturity calculated by discounting to obtain the present value of the costs and
receipts involved. Losses in, the fin'al output can be evaluated On an annual
basis and then adjusted for cnanges in animal numbers. Quantifying indirect
effects of a disease can be complex, but it is possible.
Other losses due to animal diseases
Zoonoses. While the effects of 200110Ses on human production or output
in terms of lost income and the costs of tre,atments can be quantified, the costs
of mortality and human suffering ate difficult to evaluate. Apart from these
direct IC,)sses~ indirect.losses may exist where the fear of contracting a disease
_--,m~y.Jimi! hUJp.c~n.~ctivity. . '\ . - '\
~. Trade effects. Outbreak~ of som~ diseases, particularly foot and-mou;h \
disease, will have p majqr effect on th~ avaJlabllity of export markets to a country.
, , ,

, 80
 An estimate of costs can be'made by assuming that after an initial loss of
exports, an alternative market offering lower prices >can be found.
SecQndary effects,_externalities and intangible effects
Secondary effects are effects ari~ing upstream (e.g. in the feed industry)
or downstream (e.g. in processing and marketing), of the affected production
process, as the dependent industries also suffer. These effects are seldom
evaluated. Externalities occur when the production or consumption activities of
one group of individuals affect another without the results being reflected in the
market, in costs or in receipts. For example, pollution of a river by effluent from
a tannery causes damage which is not paid for by that firm. The shade given by
a tree planted and owned by one individual is shared by others free of cost.
One farmer's failure to vaccinate his livestock may put at risk the livestock of
the whole community; Externalities are said.to be "internalised" when the costs
or benefits involved are paid for in some way. For ·example, the firm could be
required by law to install a plant for treating its effluent and rendering it harmless.
The owner of the tree could charge people for sitting under it. Failure to vaccinate
livestock 'could be subject to fines imposed by the community. In an economic
analysis 'some estimate of their effect should be attempted where possible. For
example, the cost of pollution of a river can be measured in terms of its effect on
fish mortality or on human health. . "'
D,i~ease losses estimated -·a giimpse
The following table presents estimates of annual losses in livestock and
poultry due to certain diseases in Tamil Nadu:
Livestock! poultry .Disease(s) Estimat~dI expected Source
annual loss due to
diseases
Dairy cattle and Clinical mastitis Rs. 43.26 million - Thirunavokkarasu
buffaloes Rs. 71.16 million (1996)
. (whole population Metntis Rs. 977'.56 mlllIon.-
in the State) Rs. 143Q.70 million Jeyakumari (2000)
Retained placenta Rs. 52.21 million
Rs. 76:17 million
Poultry layers (per Ranikh~t disease, Rs.16,228, Selvam (2009)
.1000 layers) Infectious
.
Concl'-lslon
__ .~-- -______ Rough_es_timate~PJJt.tQ~ ~nru.taJ lQ~~ QO _~ccp_~nt of epidemic and. endemic
diseases, parasites and other pests at Rs.70 billion -hi livestock 'ant:rpoultry
81
ontrol. This consists of setting out costs and benefits over a number of years
nd comparing them according to certain prescribed conventions to determine
Ihether the disease control project would be profitable.
For an animal health project, econornic theory can help to provide a
·amework for ranking different disease control alternatives and, to make a
ecision whether to implement the disease control project or not, depending on '
1e profitability of the project to the sector or the society. Obviously, decisions
annot be taken on the basis economic considerations alone. First, the technical
aasibility of any proposed project must be examined by the relevant specialists
veterinarians, animal husbandry experts, sociologists, management experts
~tc.). Second, its overall compatibility with the policies and goals of the sector
nust be' ensured, and, third, its feasibility from an organisational and soCial
)oint of view needs to be verified. ~
:stimating the cost of disease
Quantification of losses due to animal diseases usually follows the disease
nvestigation work undertaken. Once the disease prevalence or incidence and
he nature and magnitude of the losses experienced have been defined, the
~conomic portion of the analysis proceeds to:

o Classify and present the information on disease losses;

o QuantitY losses in monetary terms;
o Identify and quantify the indirect losses attributable to a disease.
The majority of the effects are most conveniently calculated in terlJ1s of
owered output. In some cases (delays in reaching maturity or slaughter weight),
:he loss may be more easily evaluated .in terms of wasted inputs. A more
:;ophisticated e~timate wbuld include the trme value of the delay in reaching
llaturity calculated by discounting to obtain the present value of the costs and
~eceipts involved. Losses ir the fin'al output can be evaluated 6n an annual
basis and then adjusted for\changes in animal numbers. Quantifying indirect
affects of a disease can be cbmplex, but it is possible.
Other losses due to animal diseases
Zoonoses. While the effec~s of zoonoses on human production or output
in terms of lost income and the cos,ts of treatments can be quantified, the costs
of mortality and human suffering arJ\difflcult to evaluate. Apart from these
direct losses', .indirect.losses may eXist where the fear of contracting a disease
may limit human activity. /' - ~. \
! Trade effec:ts. Outbreaks of so;ne diseases, particularly foot and-m~uth..
disease, will have a major effect on the availability of export markets to a country.\
, " \ - ' I \
'
'
'
80
--~

An estimate of costs can be' made by assuming that after an initial loss of
exports, an alternative market offering lower prices 'can be found.
Secondary effect$, externalities and intangible effects
Secondary effects are effects ari~ing upstream (e.g. in the feed industry)
or downstream (e.g. in processing and marketing) of the affected product.ion
process, as the dependent industries also suffer. These effects are seldom
evaluated. Externalities occur when the production or consumption activities of
one group of individuals affect another without the results being reflected in the
market, in costs or in receipts. For example, pollution of a river by effluent from
a tannery causes damage which is not paid for by that firm. The shade given by
a tree planted and owned by one individual is shared by others free of cost.
One farmer's failure to vaccinate his livestock may put at risk the livestock of
the whole community. Externalities are said.to be "internalised" when the costs
or benefits involved are paid for in some way. For example, the firm could be
required t;>y law to install a plant for treating its :effluent and rendering it harmles~ ..
The owner of the tree could charge people for sitting under it. Failure to vaccinate
livestock could be subject'to fines imposed by the community. In an' economic
analysis some estimate of their effect 'should be attempted where possible. For
example, the cost of pollutiqn of a riv!3r can be m~~sured in terms of its effect on
fish mortality or on human health. _~. , . _. _ . -
Disease losses estimated - a glimpse
The following table presents estimates of annual losses in livestock and
pou,ltry due to certain disease~ in Tamil Nadl,J:
Livestock! poultry Disease($) Estlm~tedl ~_xpected S(n.m:e
annual loss due to
diseases
Dairy cattle and Clinical mastitis Rs. 43.26 million - Thirunavukkarasu
buffaloes Rs.71.16 million (1996)
(whole population Metntis Rs. 977.56 million -
in the State) Rs. 1430.70 million Jeyakumari (2000)
Retained placenta Rs. 52.21 million
Rs. 76.17 mil!ion'
Poultry layers (per Ranikhet disease, Rs.16,228, Selvam (2009)
,1000 layers) Infectious
Conclusion
~_.__ R,Ol.lgh_e_s_tirnates_ put tb_~ .ann_u~aUo_ss Qo_acc.o_uot of epj~j_~OJlc~and. endemic
di~eases, parasites and other p'ests at Rs.70 billion in livestock and poultry

81
sectors, a significant loss to the grOwing industries. Though these estimates are
not based on any systematic studies, the health of Indian livestock continues to
be a matter of greater concern. Epidemic and endemic animal health problems
seriously reduce production of animals especially those of crossbreds and exotic
purebredS, as' they stand more susceptible to the hardships and contingencies
peculiar to the Indian climate.
In spite of this, quantification of losses due to diseases in livestock sector
has not been attempted in a big way, except a very few, which would adequately
support the decision making process in .optimizing animal health management.
For example" losses More such studies ~re the need of the hour to provide
information on the extent of animal disease 'Iosses so that we can prioritize
research so as to devise suitable and cost effective dl~ease control programmes
in the context of losses estimated.
Reference
DijkhuiZen, AA.(1992), Modelling animal health economics, Inaugural speech delivered
upon entering the post of professor in animal health economics in the Dept of
Farm Management at Wageningen Agrt. University on Feb. 27, 1992. .
Jeyakumary, M (2001), Economic consequences of post partum reproductive
.Q.i~orders.in bovines, Unpublished MV$c thesis submitted to Tamil Nadu
Veterinary and Animal Sciences.lJniver"$ity, Channa;' - -.
McInerney, J.P. (1987), An economist's approach to estimating dIsease losses,
Proceedings of CEe Symposium on Disease in farm livestock:. economics
and policy, ,Exeter.
Mcinerney, J.P. (1988), The economic analysis of'livesto,¢kdisease: developing
of framework, Proceedings of 5th International Symposium on Veterinary
Epidemiology and Economics, Copenhegan. -
Mcinerney, J.P. (1995), Economic aspects 'of disease in poultry production,
Poultry Adviser, 28(9): 65-71.
Morris, RS. (1969), Assessing the economic value of veterinary services to
primary industries, Australian Veterinary Journal, 45: 295-300.
Ngategize, P.K., J. B. Kanneene. (1985). Evaluation of the economic impact of animal
diseases on production:.a review. Veterinary Bulletin. 55: 153-161.
Otte,M.J. and P. Chilonda (2000), Animal Health Economics: an introduction,
Livestock Information~ Sector Analysis and Policy Branch, Animal
Production and Health Division (AGA), FAO .. Rome, Italy.
Selvam, S. (2000). A study on economic implications of diseases in layer farms.
Unpublished Ph.D. thesis subl1:1itted to Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal
Scjences University, Chennai. .
Thirunavukkarasu, M. (1996), Econo,mic Analysis of Mastitis in D~iry Farms,
.! ;. Unpublished Ph.D. thesiS submitted to Tamil.NaduVeterinary and Animal
Sciences University, .Chenn~i.
I 8~
 REV~TALISING FISHERIES SCIENCE CURRICULUM
FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
R.JAYARAMAN
< Assistant Professor (Senior scale)
Department of Fisheries Economics and Statistics
Fisheries College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Tuticorin 628008

'-, Abstract
. Fisheries plays a significant role in the Indian economy. With a strong
leducated and trained human resource, the benefits offered by the sector could
'be enhanced further.. Professional fisheries education commenced with the
'(establishment of the College of Fisheries, University of Agricultural Sciences,
~:Bangalore in 1969. The second Fisheries College at Tuticorin was founded in
':1975 by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.The Fisheries College and
~Hesearch Institute of tho Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
;:' adopted the ICAR common syllabus for the Bachelor of Fisheries Science
(B.F.Sc) program since 2000-01_ A comparison of the contents of the various
. courses currently offered snow that some important topics relevant to rural
development have been left and inclusion of the same would complement the
courses in addressing th~. needs of not only the B.F.Sc program but also for the
overail development of the fisheries sector
Fisheries in India
Fisheries plays a significant role in the !ndian"econoI'llY. It contributed about
i.5 % of national Gross Domestic Product (GOP) at current prices. Fish
production rose from a mere 0.75 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 5.7 mil:ion tonnes
in 2000-01 iwith earnings of foreign exchange to the tune of Rs.6,444 crores
through exports of Indian fish and fishery products. Fisheries sector provides
employment to 6.7 ",iIlion people in fishing and to 10.34 million people in allied
activities: With a strong educated and trained human resource, the benefits
offered by the sector could be enhanced further
Genesis of Fisheries Education in India
Fisheries education in India at the university level started with the traditional
universities offering variouf, rost-graduate courses in certain specialised areas
of fisheries, especially fisheries biology and marine sciences. The Central Institute
of Fisheries Educativn (CIFE), was also established the same year in Mumbai
to offer diploma courses in fisheries for the staff of fisheries departments in the
83
 various states. Tile second Fisheries College at Tuticorin was founded in 197
by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The college became a constituent lJr
oftheTamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University which was forme
in 1989. Subsequently fish~ries colleges were established in the various COast
and marine states and at present there are 11 Fisheries Colleges under Sta'
Agricultural 'Universities (SAUs).
The veterinary education leading to B.V.Sc degree in all the veterina
colleges of the country has uniform curriculum which is prescribed by U
Veterinary Council of India. In order to ensure such an uniformity in fisheriE
education, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted
Deans' Committee of various fisheries colleges in the country in 1991 and it
recommendations were endorsed by the Vice-Chancellors' of the SAL
concerned in 1996. Faculty-wise meetings of the D~ans' were held in 1997 ar
the academic ruJes and reguJaijons besides the curricuJum were approved)
the Accreditation Board of the ICAR on 28 September 1998. The SAUs we
requested to adopt the common curriculum as early as possible to ~inimh
disparity in the curriculum.
The Fisheries College and Research Institute ofthe Tamil Nadu Veterina
and Animal Sciences University adopted the· ICAR common syllabus for tt
Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) program since 2000-01. A comparis(
of the contents of the var~ous courses cUTently offered show that the followh
important topics relevant to rural development have been left and inclusion
the same would complement the courses in laddres~ing the needs of not or
the B.F.Sc program but also for the overall development of the fisheri~s secte
New areas for inclusion in the B.F.Sc curriculum for rural d~vel9pme
1. Aquaculture
n
}i> Integrated Aquaculture -Agriculture-Animal Husbandry farming systems (AJ.
systems) \
» Conjective use of w~ter and other inputs' - for employment and incon
. .
generation 'in rural areas.'
» Small scale edible fish farming
» Sustainable fin fish and sh~1I fish farming
.'}> Recycling of biogas slurry i~ a~uaculture
I \
,» Backyarq fish hatcheries \ .
,I ». "Awareness on the use-of probi~tics on aquauclture

'84
);> Awareness on prevention of use of antibiotics in aquaculture
};> Concept of Nutraceuticals .in fisheries
);> Small scale coastal aquaculture of edible oysters, mussels, clams, sea-
weeds, etc
);> Organic farming
);> Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) I3roodstock Ma,nagement System
);> Biosecure Fish/shrimp farming systems
);> Production enhancement through genetic selection and species upgradation
with hybridisation in aquacultute systems .
2. Fisheries Biology
~ Conservation of biodiversity of fish and fishery resources in <;Iifferent eco-
systems ,
',*. ~
);> Prevention of juvenile fishing for food purposes
);> Prevention
, .
of unsustainable fishing
.
methods like
"I<
dynamiting
..
corals and fishes,
fish poisoning " .
);> Pr~vention or minimisation of by-catch
);> Prevention of fishing in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for sustainable fishing
);> Utilisation and conservation of endemic fishery. resources, particularly
. ornamental fishes ,for commercial productioh a~d export
);> Conservation and management of endgangered and protected species -
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972- recent·amendments.
3. Fishing Technology
);> Adoption of appropriate fishing technol9gy
);> Popularising the widespread use of Global Positioning System (GPS) among
coastal rural fishermen for safe and efficient fishing .
>. _Maintenance of hygiene in-'fish-Ianding'-centres to ensure· better prices 'for
fish
);> FAO Code of Responsible ,Fishing

4. Fish Processing Technology

);> A9 0 ptio.n of hygienic fish handling techniques t
);> Generating wealth frorn wastes, ego Development ot products' from cuttlefish
r
various states. Tile second Fisheries College at Tuticorin was founded in 197'5
by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The college became a constituent Unit
of the Tamil Nadu Veterinarv and Animal Sciences Univer~itv which w~s fnrml:lrj

5. Fisheries Economics
~ Rapid Rural Appraisal for Rural Development
~ , Micro-level (District/Block-level) planning
~ Traditional Knowledge in Fisheries -lessons learnt and applications
~ Co-management of fishery resources - Rapid Rural Appraissal (RRA) and
stake-holder approach in fishery resource management
~ Advanced fish preservation techniques
~ SelfHelp Groups (SHGs) for rural developmenta~d fisherfolk empowerment
~ Entrepreneurship skills. need to be developed so as to generate self
employment.
~, -Application of Business management principles for establishment and
operation of fishery enterprises in rural areas
~ Concepts of regional development.
~, Rural development technologies need to b~ identified~ communic~ted,
popularized and transferred to our rural clientele
~. Concept of rural development - role of sustainable farming - rural food
security - characteristiys of ruraJ populace an~ society.
~ 'Concept of Technology OeveloPfTJenl - choice of technQlogy - appropriate
technology - Up-sc!3ling \down-s~!ing - transJer of technology
~ Rural fish marketing
\ -

~ Govt. schemes' for rural development {

:> Rural Gredit and Micro finance (Mfi)
. \ I

:> Bankable Aquaculture projects f~r\rural development

:> Bankable prQ~ects in fish product ~evelopment
.=.~..... -:;lnvestmentanalysis -.;,budgeting tSyhniques
I

:> Fisheries Planning and d~velopment,policy \

~ Fish Farm Management - "Fisheries Processing Plant Ma!1agement - Fish

Farm Planning.
~ Rurallnsurance ,
_~;~_I:_R_-:_W.:..:..:T...::O:....·_:_:re~\g,:::u=la=ti::o~ns~-~l~m~p.:a.:ct:.;o:.:n,;./,;.;;fis:.:h,;.;;e~ri;.;e;.s.;e_n_te..rpliin.·siiieiis.-_vi.S-lIia.-viilisiliiruiirilal~
 }' Institutional support available for rural development - Ole, SF)ICOT, TIIC,
TANS ITA, NABARO, BANKS, IDBI, SIOBI, etc.
);> Acts and regulations applicable to rural enterprisss - sales Tax - registration
- excise duty -Income tax - Property tax - Octroi - etc.
};> Rural info kiosks for trained rural people to enable multi-level info data base
for regional planning
Incorporating the key issues
An analysis of the current fisheries science curriculum reveals that several
issues which are directly relevant to rural development need to be incorporated
since our clientele mostly live in the rural areas. Serving the farming community
is the single most important mandate of the SAUs and hence the need for
revitalising the graduate curriculum for catalysing rural development becomes
paramount importance. The issues could' be incorporated in the courses
concerned. Alternatively. they could be appropriately organised into an optional
non-credit course.
Anticipated benefits
In the event of inclusion of the identified new areas as a measure of
revitalising the B.F.Sc curriculum towards rural development the following
benefits could be envisaged for the rural region ar Id the farming community:
1. Income generation for farmers and for the country (GOP)
2. Creation of employment opportunities
....
3. Enhanced fish prodllction in rural areas where cheap protein food ·is very
much required for protecting the nutritional status of the· rural people
4. Optimal utilisation ofthe rural fishery resources
•
5. Prevention of migration of labour force f'-om the rural to urban areas
6. Women emp:>werment through enhanced income/employment opportunities
through Self Help Groups (SHGs)
7. Low risk sustainable and ece-friendly farming practices
8. Augmented credit flow for development of fisheries and allied enterprises
9. Increased savings leading to new investments and consequent expansion
in fisheries business opportunities
,
10. Strengthening of rural economy
.-1.1. Creation of awareness arftong the rural coastal people...:for conserving and
p~otecting the biodiversity and precious fishery resources.

87
 Also, the B.F.Sc graduates would be able to gain an insight into the need
for and opportunities available in r Jral development. When fisheries
entrepreneurship activities take strong roots in the rural areas the fisheries
-graduatef, will have to playa key role in catalying fisheries development for
which the identified new areas wciuld be immensely useful. Presence of such
graduates at the panchayat level would then become a reality, like the case of
agricultural and veterinary graduates.
Last but not the least, the role of the FishGr~es College and Research
Institute in serving the farming community in rural areas would become more
perceptible and strong.
Acknowledgement
The author would like to record his gratitude to the Dean, Fishel;es College
and Pesearch Institute, Thoothukudy for his thought-provoking suggestions in
finalising the paper.

88
 REVITALISATlON OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
CURRICULUM FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
SYED SAJJAD HUSSAIN* AND l.A.S. GANAI**
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar 190 006, J & K
{'Agriculture is defi,!,ed as a science for cultivating the soil and rearing of animals"
Modulation or revitalization of any curriculum refers to the treatment at
micro level towards achieving the goals of the program. A veterinary graduate is
expected to perform a variety of skills associated' with the profession, Which
need a v~ry broad understanding of the subject.
Hence the need for planning the curricula of a professional versatility
needs to be developed on the various inputs, such that the goals are transferred
into the specific objectives of the program.
Since the goals in veterinary sciences program are mainly
entrepreneurship oriented and market driven, therefore any change in its curricula~
snoUld De reflected in its skills:This warrahts ttiat the curricula in veterinary
scienc~s should be dynamic, which can be achieved by the revitalization. The
V.Crl. has already laid down the minimum standards for the B.V.Sc. & A.H.
degree program, which cannot be like a water tight compartment and is always
ame,nable to get modified/improved according to 1he requ'ired behavior to be
inculcated in the student~. With regard to the stat4s of the veterinary profession/
education in India, there IS a gener~1 feeling that our Universities remain isolated
from society land these instjtutions do not appear to contribute to the development
of the respective region. The perception that our educational institutions have
rigid/archaic/irrelevant/ill equipped curricula for the emerging needs and
challenges of the society suffers from ambiguity, multiplicity and incompatibility
of objectives.
The members of third Dean's committee Report (1995) are of the opinion
that a veterinary graduate needs to acquire education under-lying principles to
develop the, intellectual and technical skills necessary to build on these principles
and to use them to solve practical problems. The available environment/socio-
economic conditions of our livestock owners in which livestock is raised must
be taken_ in to account while 'formulating the curricula and the syllabi for the
*:DE.I1NIFVSC'&AH'(SKUAST-K),SHllHAMA:SRINA.GAR--;;.. _. c-'';- -_- . . _--=- _~-_-'_"-'=:;­
**ASSO.CIATE PROFESSOR & HEAD DIVISION OF ANIMAL BREEDING & GENETICS

89
 'veterinary colleges of our cQuntry. While striving for uniformity the peculiarities
and the local needs existing in each agro-clima:tic zone should not be sighted
off.
Furthermore, keeping in view the explod,ing growth in population there is
need to enhance animal production in order to ensure food security for the
country with the growing industrialization, developing te'chnology, liberalization
of economy, environment~1 awareness, literacy among rural masses and
intensified competition, the need for producing competent and professionally
well trained vet graduates is fast emerging in the country. Thus veterinary
education can not be regarded as just imparting the existing technigal.
Knowledge, rather it has assumed greater relevance in order'to lead to
the era of new revolutions for human as well· as animal sustainability. Since 80
% of the population is in rural areas and livestock sector being either principal or
sub-spidery occupations, the improvement in this sector shall get crystallized in
rural enlistment.
Unfortunately no cognizance has been given t6 the veterinary institutes
to review the curricl,Jlum by taking note of the existing scen~rio at state and
national-level. It. is, tn,Je that the produ_c~s ,Qf QUJ _!.JI1,iv~rsities though good ,in
conceptual and analytic skilUack the ability to tackle unforeseen challenge~ in
,their jobs.
Certainly, there is need to give new shape,'and dimensions, pattern and
direction to veterrnary and Animal science educ~tion in the country to make it
more meani'ngful; vibrant and responsive to the changfng scenario~ For such
needs following changes are proposed for revitalizing the veterinary'and animal
'to • ~.

science curriculum for sustainable . livestock development:

.

a) Linkage should be deyeloped among crop husoandry, animal husbandry,

fisheries and forestry. T~is is essentia!,because in our country mostly farmers
adopt mixed farming, th~refore, farm research should be on farming system
/

basis; \
b) Veterinary Services involv~s animal health care and treatment of disease~
, Efforts should be, made to have in-depth knowledge, planning animal
development through cons~rvation, organization and co-oJdination 01
livestock and avian units (through the micro and macro-management),
, protection of public from disea~e~, spread through animals, animal products
'and animal\wastes. There are~'8dditional responsibUities like Gommunicy
I d~ve.lop~ent, Zoo and wild .I~~ ~~~~I.~_~!_~_a~~Ill_~1 re_~ource conse~~~i~['1
BiodiverSity and conservation of environment to the benefit of 'man- and
, animal; , . : \,
I I 90
, 1
c:) Prevention rather than therapy should be the focus in livestock during 21 sl
century. Apart from chemoprophylaxis and ;mmunoprophylaxis, to control
the important infectious diseases due emphasis should be accorded to the
development of disease resistant strains/animals, vector control against
particular diseas~. Metabolic profile testing should be popularized with an
ultimate objectivb of disease forecasting. This is essential, as with future, '
market of those animal products shall be high, which are residue and
pathogen free. At present there is only limited data regarding the incidence
of animal diseases. The hu man resource in veterinary sector needs to be
orga~ized, for surv3illance, which shall be provide the much needed basic
inforrnatio'1 to lay down scientific norms for the :control of animal disease in
the country;
d) The ,livestock management technology generated and transferred should
keep in view landless, agricultural labourers, small farmers, and those under
organized dairy cooperatives. This is essential because, most of the animal
rearers in the country fall under these categories and for instance 60% to
70% of the milk comes from livestock of landless agricultural labor and small
farmers. Therefore, curriculum for veterinary graduates should envisage the
problems faced by them, their solution and way and means to organize the
producers for maximinzing the benefits to them. Therefore, planning and
specialization should be farmer focused and planned while keeping in view -,
the ecology and viable economics of husbandry practice.
e) Curriculum should inculate the vision among the graduates to harvest the
maximum by exploiting the full production genetic potential, rather than
improving the productivity with accompanying growth in the livestock
population. This is ,essential ir view of the shrinking per capita land and
irrigation 'available. The horizantal growth of livestock production is not
sustainable, under changing environment. To achieve vertical growth in
production the productivity and efficiency of production have to be improved,
under oiven condition. The sustain,ability of livestock production could be
achieved only by stretching or modifying the physiological limits of our livestock.
f) . Curriculum should include topics and practicals on biodiversity because
diversity is the basis of sustainable animal production and it gets destroyed
by monoculture. The veterinary graduate should be well oriented with the
knowledgl3 and decision making in exploiting the biodiversity gainfully and
also conserve it for future use.'Therefore, the element of conservation, rational
utilization of re~;ources and environmental protection must form an integral
component of curriculum and research development process.
g) In poultry science curriculum is only intensive industrialized for large scale
farming, which needs to be taken care of, forthe small farmers also. Farming

91
 under the organized sector is delta but the need of production syste",
improvement in the extensive, traditional & minimum input system of back~
yard has been ignored, therefore, this fact of poultry production requires
justice for nutritional security of rural and other backward populations.
h) Curriculum s~ould be designed in a way that the veterinarian should be job
,provider, not the job seeker; therefore some new cou rses should be designed
in such manner that the behavior of the vets is oriented for taking livestock!
agri business.
i) The demand for feed & fodder is ever increasing & it. is not difficult to fulfill
the demands, therefore, curriculum should cover the utilization of locally
available non conventional feed resources and crop residues/agricultural
by-products. The veterinary should be in a position to advise the farmer for
, improvemellt in production system rather than adopting new one, to maximize
the production from existing livestock population. This is possible only by
changing and improving the present veterinary practices. Prasently more
stress by veterinary and practitioners is on prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases and least in the field of production & therefore
curriculum should be modirled in such a way that production practices also
get desired place.
D In order to introduce low cost treatment in animal husbandry, sector use of
herbal veterinary medicine well established for a n'umber of clinical conditions
needs to be incorporated. Therefore inclusion of this fact of veterinary
medicine should find plaGe in curriculum of veterinary colleges.
k) One of the objectives of UG training program is to prepare graduates who
should set up farms Le., adapting farming' as a vocation. At present it is not
being thoroughly attained because of two reasons:

~,
(i) , Student corning for graduating in veterih,ary sciences seek_outside
employment. '
(ii) Our degree 'program does ,riot prepare: them by practical training and
project the ~ducation towards adopting it, which needs to be
strengt~ened ~rd made training oriented rather than teaching oriented.
Each one of the graduates in veterinary sciences must be trained
enough at least in one vocation: ready to adopt the vocation of his
, interest. Some of the vocations are: Pharmaceuticals, commercial
dairy farming, poultry farming, commercial breeding (hatcheries), etc.
, • J .

(iii). .Crop agriculture has'~t1pWi1 the signs of fatigue; it did not exce,ed the
qrowth rate as againstgrowth rate of3.68% as against 6.6% in animal
sector. \\
'. \
\
\ 92
\
 __ ~JERGING DISCIPLINES OF INTEREST TO VETERINARY
EDUCATION: VETERINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND
-ANIMAL WELFARE ETHICS
B. SURESHSUBRAMONIAN
Department of Dairy Science
Madras Veterinary College, 'Chennai - 600 007

Education is an ongoing process from birth. Veterinary education in India

las seen an incredible and tremendous growth. The profession has also
Indergone metamorphic changes in accordance with the society's requirement.
"hus, it is mandatory to review the present needs of the society as well as to the
)rofessional ethics. Veterinary education ultimately ends with rendering service
o foster the needs of ailing animals as well as to the animals that are put to
neet the human needs such as food and compassion. socio-economic
)bligations,
leterinary Profession to Business
The professipn is proselytizing to corporal form. The diversified fields of
mimal production has emerged· as well-defined Industrial structure~ ·Individual
)r organization doing business need the most vital tool 'Management" for the
letter performance. The six Ms of management viz Men, Material, Money,
v1achine, Market and the Methods are no exception to veterinary profession
md they' have to be optimally utilized. The only change whh our industry is,
liere instead of the routine raw materials which.'are normally are inanimate
object is replaced with animate livestock and thefr output like milk and meat and
by products and input like feed. The functional areas of management like Human
resource, finance, production and process, purchase and marketing,
ERP(enterprise resource planning) need to be addressed or attended to with
vital care for they determine the success and development of t~e company. The
present veterinary education takes care of the professional and technical acumen
of human resource requirement, production and process where as the other
areas are untapped. Especially the livestock product industry which is contributing
to the major portion of GOP need more and specialized people in the area of
both technical expertise and business management.
In the era of modernization, globalisation and quality conscientious
consumer movements, computerization and automation have become inevitable.
Maaten (2002) has reported that new subjects' such as quality management will
become,increasingly., important.The veterinary~practitionercis~a·linkoin--the~fobd -
chain t() achieve safe products. Let it be 8'small practicing Glinic to a multi crore
93
•

industry., the technical knowledge and the insight in these emerging fields of
veterinary importance are hot and bothered.
Veterinary Management need in the concept of marketing
Management though is not only a science but also art needs. It needs
formal education in the present context as the role of diversified micro and
macro economic factors have become multifarious and intricate. Stoner and
Walker has defined management is the process 6f planning organizing, leading
and controlling the efforts of organizatioriaf'members and using all other
"organizational resources optimally to achieve organizational goals. The goals
-are normally to maximize consumer satisfaction leading to better growth of
organization. Thus every business is for marketing their service or produce.
Marketing concept is different selling by orienting towards consumer needs only.
The resources in veterinary field like the animal, its germplasm , the input to the
animal like food and water, the output like milk, meat, byproducts and dung are the rare
resources. These resources have to be optimized for consumer (clients) satisfaction.
Heath and Mills(1999) reported that new graduates needed logical
thinking and problem-solving generally; dealing with common conditions and
procedures including surgery; with financial and business aspects of veterinary
practice, and their own self-confidence and time management.
Troutman (1988) described veterinary practice as 'Veterinary Services
Market". Though the main services were vaccinations, physical examination,
drugs/medicines and laboratory tests, the mos~ important factor in choosing a
veterinarian by a client was convenient locatio~. Thus, the intricacies of business
needs' are to be assessed.
" Management education syst~m in India was made availabie in late·fifties
at four leading universities at Delhi, Cliennai, Bombay and Calcutta after the
visit of a team of expert~ to leading business schools C;lt USA and submitted
their recommendation to ,AICTE. The growth was explosive in" all fields a'nd
resulted in formation of government of India Management Institutes and others
totaling more than 143. In 1956 All India Institute of Medical Sciences offered
(MHA) fV!aster of Health Administration for doctors for the first time. In 197'1
TNAU started MBA programme was offered specialized for agri- b~sineSs.
In the present environment as per Shasi MOhan(1995)customer either
for livestock products or services, dictates the terms of business. He is m6re
worried about the value gains or ben~fits associated with it. His perceptions and
e~pectations a[e more important. iThe functional va,lue such as _technOlogy,
r~tlapJIJtYI,s_er:v.ice"ability_attltudes,_c(j"1municatiQn;cd~liverance, responsivEm~ss ::
pl,ay a vital role in meeting ,his expectations. \
• •
9~
 Approaches like value addition and TOM need more attention. Quality is
the mantra of the century. The latest addition to the process includes
computerization and automation. They minimizes the error and monitor HACCCP.
Thus the requirement of the profession Is expanding an specific.
conclusion
The mangers of today's animal industries must be capable of operating
in a complex and dynamic environment, increasing competition consolidation,
changing government policy and regulations, social advocacy and technological
innovations are major factors. Technical proficiency and competency alone will
not cater to the successful career. Every professional or leader has to be skilled
at problem solving and decision making. Thus to act as the CEO or head of
office, managerial skills of efficiency (doing things Qght) and effectiveness (doing
the right thing) are mandatory and inevitable. The managerial skill for veterinary
and livestock sector is different and unique. The irrepressible macroeconomic
factors predominate rather than the easily manageable microeconomic factors .
.Areas such as system analysis in livestock, research methods in veterinary
and livestock Market research, financing to veterinary and AH sector, Livestock
input environment .and marketing, livesto'ck eutput marketing, inventory
management, process and production management, Management of animal
husbandry and dairy industi'jat projects n'eed t9 be appraised through
management education. Most of the time our industry succumbs to turmoil of
market surplus, disease outbreaks and monopolies. These can be averted by
creation of databases at village level, district, state and national level finally
leading to national grids. Use of computerized,DBMS and forecast systems
have become the need of the hour. Specialisation in these areas are a must to
the generations to come. Interdisciplinary'knoWledge can pay way or solutions
to the problems. Concepts of social auditing and accountability will bring new
era to the profession.
In the Cont~xt of Anlmai Welfare
Animal welfare is human welfare. If the Earth summit, at Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil between 3rd and 14th June 1992 has rung the alarm bell to the bio-
diversity of ecosystem and the environment, 24th World Veterinary Congress
on "The need for conservation of animal resources", and the proceedings of the
Animal 'Welfare Sessions, , Rio de Janeiro, 1991 has already warned of animal
welfare. The World Veterinary Association's Animal Welfare Committee has
published its conference proceedings for the first time. The papers cover the
topic from most angles: ethology, legislation, laboratory animal welfare, transport
of-aQimals, public'pollcy, huma'n"and anlmal~reJ'ation'shlps;-cultural~attitad9's-to-
I
 animals and stress evaluation. Most presentations offer a review of the subject
but some topics are covered in the light of new findings, including alternatives to
animal testing, sedation and analgesics (Seamer-and Quimby 1992).
3Rs of Animal Welfare Ethics
Veterinary profession, is different from other sectors as here both welfare
at the same time exploitation for human need~ to be rationalised. Thus more
knowledge on Animal welfare is required especially on 3Rs viz Refinement,
Reduction and Replacement (coined by Russel ~nd Burch 1959) are to be
taken care of. All procedures which can completely replace the need for animal
experiments, reduce the number of animal required or diminish the amount of
pain or disdress suffered by animals in meeting the essential need of man and
other animals. Reduction alternatives, replacement alternatives refinement
alternatives was the modification given to 3Rs by Davi.d Smith in 1970.
A veterinarian should be capable of assessing the 5 freedoms of from
''Thirst, hunger and malnutrition", "discomfort, pain and disease", "express normal
behaviour" and fear and distress". We view both food of animal origin and animals
that provide food as commodities. Though, consumers prefer "Freedom Foods"
(promuigated by RSPCA). This shows a radical shift in consumer choice towards
high welfare products; The concepts of metabolic hunger, boredom, oral satisfaction, 'ill
effects of machine milking are welfare oriented. Denial of behavioural needs, forced
sexual continence, leads to neurotic aggressiveness or shyness.
~, Broom (1993) and Lund (1997) surveyed postgraduate education in
,.; animal welfare and ethics. There was an increasing trend in the establishment
of centers for the study of animal welfare issues. Ethics w~s a minor component
ot'most courses when compared with science and anim~1 welfare components.
Teaching the ethical aspects of animal welfar~ to veterinary students
presents problems of how'the principles .can be',implemented by practising
veterinarians and by scienti~ts involved in experiments using animals. More,
I discussion workshop are warJ·~nted in the present day situation. One method is
the analysis of discussions to d-etermine if statements on specific circumstances
are true. This enables students t6pompare and evaluate the different perceptions
of animal health and animal welfare by a critical analysis (Sundrum and
Haselhaus 1994)
.. , '
I
,

Special Requirements as a Vet in Animal Welfare

" \.

Animal welfare legislation powers of the veterinarian, in many cases thel

enfor,cing authority is merely cited as,th'~ 'responsible authority'. While"vets are\
consldered'compefenlto-deal-witli-the' physical;health of ~fnimals-they m-ay hot \
, i

96
I

/
be the best judges of psychological stresses induced by unnatural types of
keeping or of judging the environmental conditions necessary for promoting
welfare further education is needed (Sojka,1989). To declare the responsible
authority, the academic part should be take care. Ethical dilemmas encountered
daily by veterinarians engaged in large-animal and small-animal practice. A survey
on Do domestic animals have minds and the ability to think? At Department-of
Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. Revealed
most of the respondents believed that the possession of minds, thought, and
intelligence were relevant factors in how animals should be treated and the
prevalent concept was that we should not be cruel to animals, but should treat
them humanely. Veterinary knowledge is also required forthecertification of the
transport of animals.
The Europ~an Community Council Directive 91/628 requires that
personnel involved in commercial transport of animals have a specific knowledge
w~ich guarantees the cafe of such animals. It is emphasized that the mediation
of this specific knowiedge, and its control, should be the responsibility of the
official veterinarian. Topics to be included in a teaching programme of special
courses are discussed and related veterinary legislation cited. Similar studies on sporting
animals horses, rodents have been made as recent issues of animal welfare. These
throw enough light for the need in-depth knowledge on animal welfare and ethics.
Because the agricultural community is actively seeking advances in
livestock production to create a caring image in an animal welfare concerned
industry, it is considered essential that the food ;animal veterinarian takes a
leadership role as"an advocate for animal well-being. Tannenbaun (1989) in his
preface the author introduces us to the challenges facing the veterinary
profession today and inqicates that there is little literature on the subject and
very little serious work on' ethics in veterinary schools.
.
Conclusion
Considering all the above facts, there is an increasing demand for the
professionals to pay attention to discipline of animal welfare. Only by considering
the welfare of animals, the ecosystem will be preserved. For the generation to
come any little effort put in at this time of crises, will allow to reap laudable
benefits to the society. The first and fore most step will be incorporate courses
exclusively for the disciple of veterinary management and animal welfare ethics.
To maximise the objectives of business in veterinary profession both animal
welfare, ethics and application of business management principles are highly
r~quited. Offering of P.G Courses will help to bring out specialLst.
r-
97
References
Maaten-TS-van-der; Knapen-F-van; der-Maaten-TS-van; van-der-Maaten-TS
van-Knapen-F (2002) From veterinarian to quaUty control manager. 80175
3508 TO Utrecht, Netherlands. Tijdschrift-voor-Oiergeneeskunde ..200.2
127: 6,184-187; 2 ref. .
Heath-T; Mills'-JN (1999) Starting work in veterinary practice: an employers
viewpoint. Australian-Veterinary-Practitioner. 1999,29: 4,146-1.52; 20 re1
Troutman-eM (1988) Veterinary services market for companion animals
Summary report. Joumal-of-the~American-Veterinary-Medical..AssoCiation
.1988, 193: 8, 920-922; 2 ref.
Sojka-K (1989)Veterinarians and protection of animals (in relation to Germal
legislation) Oeutsche-Tierarztliche~Wochenschrift. 1989,96: 6, 298-301.
Tannenbaun-J 1989 Veterinary ethics. Tufts University School of Veterinar
Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 1989, 358 pp.; many

ss
MODIFICATION IN THE VETERINARY DEGREE 'CURRICULUM
FOR THE SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
D.KATHIRESAN*, R.UMA RANI** AND S.SIVASEELAN**
Veterinary University Training and Research Center,
No.9, A-Main Street, KKNagar, Madurai - 625 020, TamiiNadu

Animal husbandry has been recognized as an important activity for rural

development in India and the field Veterinarians are playing major role in that.
By using a questionnaire 50 field veterinarians were interviewed to know their
opinion regarding revitalization of the existing veterinary and animal science
curriculum for'sustainable rural development. All the 50 veterinarians (100%)
were of the opinion that a new course exclusively on "animal husbandry and
Rural Development" should be introduced in the B.V.Sc curriculum without
increasing the duration oHhe'cours~ for effective Animal Husbandryextension
work {or rural development. Forty nine (98%) veterinarians were of the opinion
that 15 days village stay programme along with a small project work should be
introduced in the internship training. Sixty six percent were of the opinion that
':- -

25% of the seats in the veterinary colleges should be reserved for the rural
students. Regarding proposal for farm animal/pet animal specialization in the
B.V.Sc course 44% agreed with the proposal and only 12% agreed with the
propo~al for the separate B.V.Sc (AH) degree for animal husbandry work and
DVM degree for veterinary medical practice. The study revealed that there is an
urgent heed for the revitalization of veterinary and animal science curriculum to
corroborate rural development.

- I

* Professor & Head ** Assistant Professors

99
 NON-FORMAL VETERINARY EDUCATION, LIVESTOCK
FARMING, TRAINING, TRAINEE
K. KANIMOZHI* AND D. THYAGARAJAN**
Farmers Training Centre
Enathur, Kancheepuram - 631 56J

Farmers Training Centre lecated at EnathUr caters to. the demands ef

,
the livesteck farming in the Kancheepuram District. Using the training and trainee
data available, the analysis has been made fer the training and trainee prefile
and interest. Tetal ef 154 training with participant strength ef 2960 were conducted
fer the peried ef two. YE3ars. Training demand was there fer alilivesteck farming
system except breiler and layer farming. Demand fer dairy farming was mere
fellewed by sheep and geat farming. Majer technelegy transfer was achieved in
dairy farming due to. trainee strength ef 1'381'(46.66%}~ ·Farmers were interested
to. have advanced technelegy.as evidenced in 2·1 special training pregrammes
with trainee strength ef477. Ameng these 133 training w~re under farming and
21 en need based ~pecial training. Mere number ef en campu~ trainiDg ef
59.40% than eff campus was conducted. However, participant strength was in
faveur ef eff campus. Gender classificatie!1 faveurs female due to. tetal ef 2038
participants in the training. JV1ale participants had mpre ef literacy level ef scheel
1 .

eduGatien fellewed by hi~h s6heol and c;tegree level. Female participants shewed
literacy level tewards no. educatien fellewed by scheeleducatien. Secial status
analysis accerding to. cemmunity .basis
.
concluded
I
that mere ef mest b_ackw~rd
class in male gender and scheduled baste in female gender.

,
* Assistant Professor , \
** ~rofessor & Head '-
 REVITALISATION OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE
CURRICULUM FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
M.R. MURALlDHARAN
Associate Professor
Department of Livestock Production and Management
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600 007
The livestock sector become a major source of employment and income
generation area due to high demand of its products in .India. Under limited
resources and unfavourable environmental conditions, scientific management
of animal production is a challenging job. The Veterinarian is the important key
person for farm operations. He must have the ability to identify the problems
accurately, for evaluating and making correct decisions.
Indian Population Type
About 80% of Indian Population live in rural areas and nearly 69 percent
of population is engaged in Agriculture. Out of these 43% are cultivators and
26% are landless agricultural labourers.
1.. CURRICULUM IMPROVEME~T
In olden days the curriculum of veterinary colleges were prepared only
on the basis of health needs and this is an erroneous conception. Nowadays,
the veterinary profession is a challenging job to meet out both the clinical and
production aspects of the animal. Hence curriculum should be modified to suit
the need ofthe hour; ,
2. INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
Latest chemicals, equipments should be procured and its number also
should be increased so that the students can handle it individually.
3. IMPROVEMENT OF' GENETIC MAKEUP
, .
The genetic research scheme should be conducted periodically to evolve
n'ewer varieties not only boost the production but also environmentally adopted
and acclimatized one. We have to create certain other departments related to
Genetics such as gene mapping, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, transgenic
animal'production, immunogene~ics, cryobank for gametes and embryos to bring
about genomic mOdulation in domestic livestock in synergy with environmental
factor to tap maximum productiorl.
4. BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING FACILITIES
,
._' ,. ·Environmental acts. directly upon animals, solar, heat" humidity and
dryness of the air, its temperature and the intensity of winds upset or facilitate

101
 the physiological processes that contribute to temperature regulation and affect
hunger, thi'rst, reproduction etc. climatic factor. Control the vegetative cycles of
forage crops, the choice and production methods of forage species, harvesting
dates and particularly the resources and accessibility of drinking water. Climate
therefore determines the system of exploitation of pasture lands and herd
management.
Since considerations physio.logy will allow undertaking of the response
mechanisms of the animal to the extrefl)9 condition of the environment and the
animals adaptation to such climatic factors. '
5. INCREASING FEED RESOURCES
Technologies have to, be developed for strategic utilization of
unconventional feed including tree leaves to sustain high production control
measures should be initiated to avoid micronutrient deficient feed which
predisposes 'reproductive disorder.
Feeding standards need to be developed based on metabolisable energy,
run over degradable and non-degradable protein. We have to establish centre
of Excellence in Animal Nutrition. ' ,
6. MIXED FARMING MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
In the present scenario, the income through crop production alone i~
diminishing day-by-day underscoring the need for integration of livestock
component, which is inevitable for sustained returns.
7. NEWER TECHNOLOGIES IN CONTROLLING OF ANIMAL DISEASES
Efforts should-be tak~n to develop co,mprehensive data base on diseases
of National, State and re,gional importance. 'Strengthening of existing
I infrastructure like diagnostic laboratories and development of specific and
sensitive diagnostics, potent "I;>iologicals and vaccines covering all serotypes
must figure at the top of the agenda.
8. FUND MOBILISATION FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
To evolve more ecoflomically viqble and vibrant R&D, integration
of institutes with various facets \of liyestock industry is essential.
Impqrtance may be given to applied and industrial research for generating
significant proPQrtion of funds frorn potential consumers of indust~ial
I

tech:nologies. This in turn will expand the base for'R- & Din-stead
dep~nding exclusively on State fundillgs ..
Of\
\ 102'

/
9. ~XPLOITATION OF BIO-TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT

Important lacunae in animal research to be filled utilizing this technology

are development of disease resistant and high producing transgenic animals,
development of animal growth promoters, specific bio-chemical and health
products through manipulation by 'genetic engineering, recombinant DNA
technology and other modern bio-chemical techniques and development of value
added products through molecular biology and recent bio-chemical techniques.
10. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

It is envisaged to create this center for improving animal production by

cost effective housing, feeding etc. Facilities to be created to learn more about
farm waste recycling and management. Greater importance for manure handling
and disposal to be given for generating income'in rural areas. .
11. TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL MANPOWER. SHOULD BE
IMPROVED

Curriculum has to be given for the students by improving t~chnical

manpowerto enhance/level of knowledge and giving in depth information.
12. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Emphasis should be given on information technology in curriculum for

accessing various international and scientific journals. The information
technology in addition provide us with recent and,modern techniques adopted
in veterinary and animal sciences field. By gathering the above information, we
can convey the new technique and methods to be implemented in the field for
farmer to improve their economic status.

103
 ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE lIVESTOCK PRACTICES FOR
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
C.SOUNDARARAJAN*, A.ASHOK"', R.PALANIDORAI**, M. SEKAR** AND
T. SIVAKUMAR***
Livestock Research Station, Kattupakkam - 603 203

Animal husbandry is a major livelihood for the people of rural India and
the future Indian economy will be based on livestock production, particularly in
sheep and goat rearing. Income of rural people will be augmented through rearing
of sheep and goats. However, lack of proper livestock practices result in poor
production and hence lesser the profit. Low cos! alternate management and
feeding practices will provide improved technical inputs to the farmers which in
turn will enhance the development of rural society.
Adoption of the following techniques will improve the livestock productivity
and income of rural people.
1) Managemental practices
2) Feeding practices
3) Health cover
a) Integrated parasite management, b) Strategic deworming c)Timely
vaccination
4) Revamped extension training

I ,

* ASSistant Professor ** Associate Professor f** Profe~sor and Head

l'
104

./.
 REVITALI~ATION OF VETERINARY CURRICULUM FOR
SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVEI,..OPMENT
P.THANGARAJU
,
Dean,
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai
lilt is not man's knowledge alone
But what he does with it
Is of trarfscendent importance"
- J.P.Leagans
Preamble
Rural development in its broadest sense is major threat area in bringing
about sOGio-economic transformation, raise production and prod!Jctivity hereby
enhancing, the income of the rural masses and improving their quality of life.
Over 70 percent of the, people in-rural area depend on agriculture and allied
activities like Animal Husbandry, Fisheries etc., The overall picture of rural
development in the present scenario is that in spite of 5 decades of
experimentation with various programmes, it is still in a state of stalemate. The
programmes are started, with much fanfare and publicity; side tracking in mid
way and finally could not make much impact on the society. Some of the major
impec;iiments are the farmers / beneficiaries, are not aware of the various
programmes implemented, poor integration of inputs and supportive service,
poor monitoring and evaluation, lacunae in ;iCfentification of appropriate
technology for resource poor farmers, rural women and youth, lack of integrated
approach in farming systems to which a farmer is entitled to and a lack of rural
base knowledge for the graduating students on various facets of rural
development.
The knowledge base of various farming operations/activities possesse:d
by the students needs to be focused by giving an in depth analysis for achieving
overall rural development.
Present Scenario
The curriculum of the study for the under-graduate students of Veterinary
Science concentrate on basic sciences, health coverage, managemental
practices of various livestock activities, clinical and diagnostic procedures etc.,
The students are also imparted knowledge and stills to a highly standardized
molecular levels in- areas of Biotechnology, Microbiology,-Pathology,
Pharmacodynamics & kinetics etc., The current system of education followed

105
for the under-graduate students of Veterinary Science in India adopt the
Veterinary Council of India norms. The degree course for under graduates
comprises of curriculum and syllabus spread over five academic years, including
a compulsory internship of six months duration. With respect of the credit load
for the· under graduate veterinary curriculum, the health oriented courses had
been allotted 42 credits, production oriented courses has 40 credits, livestock
products technology has 7 credits, while clinics oriented courses has been allotted
46 credits. It is quite evident that much, emphasis is given for the health oriented
and clinical oriented courses, but there is. limited credit allotment for products
technology and value addition, rural economy and rural development. There
are lacunae in the curriculum prepared for graduate of Veterinary Science to
face the challenges and needs of the rural base with a grant leap for surging
ahead.
Improvement strategies fot the farming community have been developed
by various' governmental and non-governmental research organizations by
formulating various livestock development programmes. Adoption of strategies
over the 'last 3 decades had resulted ih 2.5 fold increase in milk production, 3
fold Increase in meat production and 20 fold increase in egg production. These
has been !3~QstC3n!i~1 ~bnime[clal ven_tures in dairy, poultry, meat and wool
production both in urban and rural areas, but the standards of production and
products from~tbese ventures' are of subsistence in qnality and hence there is
no renown.ed claim in the globell market.
Focus
The Veterinary Gur'riclJlum should be structured in such a way that.. the
ouf-coming graduates should be in a position to tackle'the field problems pot
on.iy pertaining to diagnosis and treatmeht of animals, but also in changing the
mental attitude offarmers :r.egarding quality of their produce.
In dairying, there has been a steady progress during the last few decades
and India has reached the pinnacle in milk production with 84.5 million tones.
Nevertheless, we should accept that we have stiil'a long way to travel in terms
of achieving true potential in milRproduction. Likewise, in 'product manufacturing,
there is a wide scope for ~xport potential, as only 2% of the milk is converted
into milk products. ~.

The mitk products are.pr~p~red by adopting trpditional tech.nology with

less, scientific iDPlJt" Which low~r th~\quality and shelf-life. In this situation, the
.gra~uates shoul~. be'compet~flt in offering Cost-effective technology that VYi~1
suitithe"quality~prQouctioll-line, ·to.. th'e',farmers. and.the..entrepreneurs. Rd\
estimated that around 20 per cent Qf. the total milk, produced in the CQuntry is'
!

t106'
 consumed at producer-household level and the remaining is marketed through
varioy,s Cp-pperatives private dairies and vendors. A survey published in "The
~co~~omi~ ti,mes" recently reveals that Indian consumers are moving towards
yaluE?~;?dqeq richer diets. In another two decades, cereal based consumption
,\yiII swi~qh over to milk and milk products followed by vegetables, fruits, meat,
f~sh, R!JI~es, ~ice wheat cereal and pod grains. It is estimated that the present
,<:;on~UI:m~!iqn, of ti4.1 MT of milk and milk products may witness a growth of
J, ~9% r~9~hing a levl31 of 165.8 MT in 2020.
, India has the potential to becqme one of the leading players ir milk and
';milk'products exports. There is a vast market for the export of traditional milk
products such 'a ghee, paneer, shrikand, rasagollas and other ethnic sweets to
.al?fge number of Indians scattered all over the world.
'Quality Assurance'
':,) "I' HAC'CP is the science that prevents'a problem before it occurs. The use
'qf'Hazard Analysis critical and control point (HACCr) system is not new to the
dairy:foop, industry.,' It, is" a system designed to identify hazards and critical
'situations. The hazard components that must be controlled are microbiological,
che'mical and phys,ical~. The microbiological hazards include Brucella, Clostridium,
Listeria, Salmonel/a, Shigella etc., The physical hazards that could potentially
of
occur are entrY metal, glass, insect parts, dist, wood fragments, plastic material
'by way ,of entry into the food, rendering it unsafe, while the chemical hazards
that may occur are natural toxins, drug residue's, sanitizer residues, pesticides,
food' additives and' inad';ertent chemicals. M'a,riy units in the organizing sector
are 'adopting .ISO a'nd HACCP 'system to improve quality and safety of their
p'rodilcts. ' Here comes the need for edUcating/training our graduates for
development of ISO/~ACCP plan for the dairy, poultry and meat processing
industry. Further the students must be educated/emphasized in the control of
antibiotics in milk (clean milk production), so that they in turn can make the
farmers8ware
" ',if'." '-L· '; _,
~ j- l -
of tlie
.
hazards caused.
:". " ,Likewise meat and ~oultry products are ,highly perishable and hence
adequate attention 'needs to be provided during handling, processing, storage
,and transport., In orderto conform to quality standards stipulated by importing
,countries..., maintenance of abattoirs to produce quality meat should be given
.emphq~isJor the under..:graduates: ; ", ,.;,
.' :.,' 't l ''''' .~ 'I ~; \ , " i .:. • ..'

It is s'ssential that· HACCP should be applied to meat and poultry

proc.essing,also. The production-of meat in India is less than 1% of world's total
-prpd~ction ofA50.million tones. '

107
.
,\

Value addition
The role of value addition in meat industry is indeed a pivotal path in
attracting the consumers and processors world OV8r. The lalue addition to
,meat starts right from the butchers shop and further continues up to consumer's
kitchen. In recent years, the concept offast food, industry has creeped in, and
it caters the needs of the people in places where it is very fast, highly mechanized
and industrialized and here comes the importance of value G dded, products like
mutton pattis, mutton kababs meat balls sausages, tandoori chicken etc., The
pre-requisites for value addition on commercial scale al'e procurements of quality
raw materials, total quality management (TOM) and good manufacturing practice
(GMP), minimum handling by human hands and effective packaging.
The world meat industry demands that animal by-products shall be utilized
efficiently so that the livestock industry can stay economically competitive and
viable. If animal by products are not effectively utilized, a valuable source of
potential revenue is lost. The by-products like blood, hair bristles and wool,
hide and skin, bones, fat and intestines need to be value added for profitability.
Once an animal is slaughtered, be if at the village le\lel or at the industrial level,
but unfortunately this seems to be happening only to a little extend. It is estimated
that the loss in terms of value is about RS.1 0,0001- million,
The students attention should be oriented, towards quality management,
utilization of by produyts, importance of value addition so that they can lend a
helping hand in developing enterprising farmers and entrepreneurs. This can
be formulated by means of socio-economic develo,Jmental scheme or as
employment generation scheme or under integrated rural development' schemE!.
which would result in a source of employment generation and uplifiment of
farming community. ' (

·Marketing \
/ \
Marketing of animal produce
\
assumes significant importance similar to
that of production, and value addition. Marketing stimulates growth, coordinates
economic integration, fasters inn6yation, creates wants and satisfies human
needs. The role of marketing channels in satisfying the customers' demands is
imperative. The channel involves the producers middlemen, merchants and
the final customer. There are various 'fac~ors Ithat affect the marketing channel, ,
such as production pattern, mnrketing t~~nnology, changes in the management,
changes in the polic~es of government a~d consumers distribution. _ \
I f ~

----:-:-- ;_-;1fhe efforts for streamlining of marketing channels for meat has to be" ,
taken Qn par with that of the milk and for this tq happen, co"operatives playa
vital role. The livestoqk and meat marketing co-operatives have to be developed
108
for bringing about positive implications on the rural income, thereby avoiding
middle men transactio!), and also to provide employment to rural youth and
women.
For this, the under-graduate students should be emphasized on the role
of co-operatives in their study so as to bring about socio-economic transformation.
The advent of dairy and other animal husbandry co-operatives have been a
boon for farmers, especially, those who are traditionally weak. In most of the
central aid schemes main emphasis are given for production of animal products
but with less emphasis on processing anq marketing. In fact, hygienic processing
of food products are the basis of feed safety expected by the consumers, and
hence more emphasis should be laid on public health significance, to avoid
chemical and microbial hazards, for example one of the methods of hygienic
processing ofij1eat products is canning, a process ofapp(ication of neat on tne
food products and it promotes the shelf life of food by preventing oxidation and
the growth of microbes.
The curriculum for undergradu~tes of Veterinary Science should be
restructured on the lines of Animal Welfare. The students should be trained in
such a way that they are capable of enforcing various prevention of cruelty to
animals and also to educate the public in the preservation, protection and
improvement of stock.
The graduating students are in a piquant situation in dealing with the
numerous practical -problems encountered in the rural set up. In a survey
of
conducted in Australia has revealed that majority Veterinary graduates do not
believe that there they are well equipped to practice immediately after graduation.
They expressed that valuable training for independent practice would be to
work with another experienced veterinarian in a type of apprentionship. The
farmers and entrepreneurs approach the Veterinarians for chalking out projects
on various livestock farming enterprises, like dairy, sheep, goat, piggery, poultry
and allied enterprises, establishment of product manufacturing units, for milk,
meat and eggs and by products.
A careful project preparation in advance of expenditure is essential.
Moreover, the lending agencies such as banks (corporate and rural development
banks) require project reports in advance for dispensing credit. The project
preparation involves analysis of six different aspects namely.
•:. Technical - inputs and outputs
-=- ~:. Institutional, organizational and managerial

1{)9
 ·:. Social analysis - framed in such a way that they benefit lower incOIll
groups
.:. Commercial aspects - Arrangements for marketing of outPI
arrangements for supply of inputs .
•:. Financial aspects - Dealing with financial efficiency, incentive:
quality, cost benefit, etc .
•:. Economic aspects - Whether the project will contribute Significant
and the development of the economy.
Conclusion
The present curriculum adopted for imparting education to the undl
graduate students is not well balanced to meet the future challenges. But in tt
. context of ever changing, scenario right from the rural to the global (I ntemation c
level, the curriculum for the students has to be reinforced with the focus
making the Veterinary graduates empowered by way of creating self-employme
opportunities. The graduating students should not relay solely on Governme
oriented jobs but should explore avenues for making themselves self-sustainabl

110

/
 'S_ESSION - III
Impact of IPR-WTO-on Veterinary
Education and Servic~s' in India
11
 'EXPORTOF ANIMAL ·PRODUCTS . - PRESENT
INDIAN SCENARIO
A.T.VENUGOPALAN (Retd.)
Director
Centre for Animal Health Studies, Chennai - 600 051
The Metamorphosis of the poultry industry in India is a remarkable' one.
Poultry is the only means of intensive production of animal origin.
The growth and development of poultry industry is phenomenal.
The s~stainability of this development.
. Entirely depends on export potentials,
Since the purchasing power of the local population is limited."
There is vast potential for export to Middle East and European Union.
The export market entirely depends on quality of the products and
fullfillments of several criteria/guidelines prescribed by European Union and
other importing countries.
0.1 . WTO and SPS Agreement.
- The liberalised economic policies of government of India requires
Fullfjllment of international norms in export/import trade regulations.
1.1 India is member of WTO and SPS Agreement.
1.2 In all we·stern countries food and feed I.aws are made or amended as and
when needed. To cite an example, the European Union regulation
pertaining to antibiotic residues in foods of animal origin was amended
96 times ·during the period 1990 to 2003 (up to 4.6.03).
1.3 The European Union and other countries are implementirlg stringent
regulations for food safety. To attain this level of standard it is necessary
to implement monitoring programmes. The programme demands
powerful, discriminatory and sensitive analytical tools and methodology·
for the production of accurate, precise, assured data.
1.4 In 1986, the Europen Union promulgated a directive 86/469 which required
each member: state to produce a surveillance programme to investigate
the occurrence of veterinary drug residues in the National meat supply.
:~ .5 The directive 86/469 has been superceded by directive 96/23, which
--r - incorporates many of the lessons learnt over the intervening period. There
111
..II

has been a switching emphasis from finished product to on farm sampling.

The other features of 96/23 are that encompass many other meat
producing including poultry, farmed fish, milk, eggs, farmed game, rabbits
and honey.
1.6 The guidelines of directive 96/23 part vi covers the third countries who
export to European Union.
,1.7 The European Union Directives, Decisions arid Regulations are updated
regularly. The amendments pertaining to antibiotic residues done is 96
from 1990 to 2003 ( up to 4.6.03). The last amendment for veterinary
drug residues is on 29.4.03.
1.8 The presence of residues of animal origin is a matter of concem of public
health. It is necessary to provide for the. progressive establishment of
minimum required performance limits (MRPL) of analytical methods for
substances for which no MRPL has been established and in particulars
for those substances whose use is not authorized or specifically prohibited
in the community in. order to ensure h~rmonised implementation of
Directive 96/23/EC. .
1.9 ., features of Directive 96/23 and its amendments are
The salient
.:. . Competent authorities for implementation of the programme .
•:. Setting\up field, regional and reference
.
laboratories
,
for analysis.
.:.. The approved laboratories should be accredited as per ISO 17025.
.,
.:. Official sampling as per EC Decision 98/179 .
•:. . The approved h:iboratories must prove that compete'nce byregular
and successful partiCipation inadequate proficiency testing
; schemes recognised· or organsied by National or Reference
laboratories. . \
.:. The concept of routine methods and reference methods has been
, supported by criteria approach in which performance criteria and
procedure forthe validation of screening and confirmatory methods
ate establishec;1. . . \" ; .: .. . .
1.10 The perfonnance charactenstic m~ans the functIonal qUalIty that can be attributed
: to precision, repeatability, reproduceability, recovery, detection capability and
I ruggedness.\ A
I ..
-
"
\

1.111 Analytical methods or combination of methods other than those described

belqw '1lay ?nly b~ used for screeriing'or confirmatory purposed if it can

112
 be proven that they fulfull the essential requirements. Methods based
obly on chromat<?graphic analysis without the use of spectrometric
detection are not suitable for confirmatory purpose.
1.12 To sum up the basics of analytical methodology, sampling, collection of
official samples, transport shipment of samples should be as per EU/EC
guidelines amended from time to time, '
1.13 The entire surveillance programme is are integrated approach. The field
Laboratories attached to the plant .shall collect on farm sampling like
feed, water, excreta, eggs and tissues as per EU guidelines. The
screening tests should by evaluated for its accuracy, precision,
repeatability and reporducibility. It the screening test is negative no further
action is necessary. If it is positive then the materials to be referred to
approved laboratory for examination by a regulatory method. If the level
of residue is below MRL no further action is necessary. If the sample
results is more than MRL then the samples is referred to Reference .
I.aboratory for confirmation. This three tier system of integrated laboratory
examination is the critical point of the surveillance programme.
1.14 The number of samples, number of residue are in thousands and its
quite impossible to undertake examination- all·these··samples-as
. quantitative essay.
1.15 Under HACCP system of surveillance ie., farm to fork without analysis of
on farm samples and examination' of only product does not fulfill the
ba~ic requirement of EU guidelines.
~

1.16 The approval of residue monitoring programme of third countries Entirely

. ,depends on fulfillment of basic guidelines of Directive 96/23 and its
amendments there of.
1.17 The MRL , banned substances, MRPL and other features such as
analytical methods are revised and updates as and when needed. Under
these circumstances constant follow up of EU/EC Directives, DeGisions
and Regulations are necessary.
1.18 The International agencies associated with food safety are hereu nder.
•:. Codex alimentarius
.:. FAO
.:. WHO
.:. OlE

113
 .:. DEFRA
Last, since 2002 ,lthere is export crisis due to the prevalence of Nitrofurans
residues in food feed arid plant products exported from India.
The basic requisites to overcome these. International crisis are:
.:. Setting up residue laboratory as per ISO 17025, guidelines

'.
••• Implementation of residues monitoring programmes
Inclusion of WTO/SPS Agreements/EU laws under veterinary
educational programmes.
Updating of Indian food/feed laws.
The above' matter requires immediate attention of academic and administrative
authorities.
SUMMARY,
The growth ~nd sustainability of the poultry indu~try entirely depends on
the export .potential·.of eggsJmeat.s/products of poultry. .
The e~port of these products is governed by WTO/SPS Agreement, The
.European Union and other countries are insisting greater emphasis on food
safety.
, . I

The impact of veterinary drug residues on public health significance is

on increase. ~; .

I It is necessary to produce quality food/feed and it is subjected to continuos

HACCP programme as per EU guidelines.
I
Reference
/

1. Commission
. :.
Regulation ,EC
\
no 2377/90
o S. ~254, 18.8.90. "
2. Commission Decision 2002/6571 EC
1,221,17.8.02". '
3. Council Directive 96/23 EC \
;, H l , 125,23." QR \

114
i
IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
.RIGHTS ON ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEVELOPMENT AND
VETERINARY SERVICES
N. BALAAAMAN
Joint Director (Research). ·National Dairy Research Institute
Karnal-132001. Haryana
Introduction
India possesses the second largest human population in the world which
presently inhabits over 6000 million human beLngs. The agro-climatic conditions
of this country have favored the development and sustenance of a variety of
plant and animal resources not noticeable elsewhere. The livestock population
in India is also the largest in the world. Its production system has all along been
pT\m\t\\le, tTad\t\ona\ and \n tune w\th the way d \We d the commufJ\t\es dwe\\\ng
in these regions. It has been till recently, a mostly extensive and subsistence
type of enterprise with no commercial or scientific elements operating. However,
after independence; India has undergone a process of planned development
which has brought about a synthesis between agriculture and industry. Presently,
agriculture is pols~q "to be99me a ~igbJY_ C9!1Jm~[ci"~1 v~_n!ure_ \yit!1 bigb I~'{~I
inputs in terms of money, material and technic~1 know-how. The green revo-Iutlon
which commenced in late sixties and got intensified during the seventies has
brought in a sea change in the agricultural scenario. A silent but visible revolution
was ·also taking place concurrently in the form of white revolution through which
the production leveJs of milk have gone up by leaps and bounds during the past
thre~ decades. The meat industry, particularly the poultry industry has come of
age in our country entiJ-ely due to the organized efforts of poultry producers and
the poultry eggs and meat production has substantially increased. However,
the agricultural production including animal rearing system is faced with
constraints and limitations which need to be overcome by preparing ourselves
to the tasks of changi.ng n.eeds of time.
Globalization
With the opening up of our economy to the outside world the process of
liberalization has set in which calls for vast changes in thinking and approach to
production. In our earlier developmental approach, the economy was oriented
towards self-sufficiency and certain social obligations to take care of
nutritional and food security. With liberalization, market forces will come into
force in a large way. Alow level input - output system will be gradually replaced
by economically viable and technically feasibl~ models which require
--empowermenfof farm'ers Th a bIg wa~Y. CJreatloh of er{fr~preA-~urshiPrn apractical
farm situation "is difficult in the absence of adequate infra-structure and personnel
115
 development. Glpbalization has brought in new dimensions to our food production
strategies in qualitative and quantitative terms. India's participation in the global
economy is virtually negligible, accounting for about 0.6%. About 13% of the
world's economy is under global trade. What is required primarily is to prioritize
our production and marketing plans for the domestic market and for competing
in the global market with adequate preparedness in terms of infra-structure and
personnel needed to cater to the key areas where the presence of India can be
effectively felt.
Intellectual property rights and patenting
Patenting has been a relatively new concept in our country where the
research and academic institutions have been by and large run with governmental
assistance or aid. Intellectual output in the form of an idea, principle, hypothesis
or thesis 'is now considered as a property of the contributor and his/her rights
are sought to be protected for monetary benefits or commercialization. It.is a
moot question whethedt is morally or ethically right to patent intellectual exercise
output to make it an exclusive property not accessible to the common use by
one and all. However, it provides credit to. the original thinker and contributor
and checks its misuse by enacting relevant laws. With the development of
science and technology, it is known that 'knowledge' is 'power' and it is a great
weapon whict"! needs appropriate regulations to be used with care and caution.
The patenting can be for a process or for a product and for a period. Its registration
a
and documentation in database helps the entrepreneurs to access the know-
how effectively for competitive use based on mark~t demand.
I

Animal husbandry dev,elopment and globalization

India is unique in its livestock production systems -and biodiversity_ of
livestock wealth. The variation in agro-climate and .socio-economicand cultural
diversity has led to considerable variety a'ld richness. of the bio-wealth which
has been evolved through centuries of selection and adaptation. The production
~ systems in our country are integrated to overall land use where livestock playa
subsidiary and supplemental \(ole to the crop production system which takes
priority over animal production qecause of prioritized human needs. However,
the age-old . system is time test~d, most secure, least risky and highly cost-
effective. The variants in livestock production such as migratory maintenance
sheep and cattle or peri-urban system of farming are features which haVe
developed depending upon local cd'1ditions, not replicable under general rurai
farming situations. The hardiness of.o'ur livestock, ability to resist. diseases,
surviVe
I
under scarce
\
feed resources a\nd tolerance to extremes of weather are,
~

"cer;t~in genetic merits which can .be bio~f~chnologically exploited for commercial \
ben~fits. In the newly awakened consC?iou,sness regarding 'organic farming' the
, , ,

;116
~ role of Indian livestock as an integral part of' farm economy is is socially,
~ economically and ecologically most vital. However, it is needless to mention
~' that our livestock are too large in numbers to tne detriment of our scarce
resources of soil, water and vegetation and it is worth critically examining the
-numbers and quality of livestock to be kept for targeted production to meet the
, domestic and global demands. Our productivity levels are quite low and
, tremendous scope ,exists to exploit the changing farming scenario to make it
'" more diversified and commercial through switching over to modern methods of
~ livestock rearing.
~, Employment and empowerment
r The greatest challenge that is faced by the country after obtaining food
~ and nutritional security is to go in for socio-~,conomic empowerment of the large
~ .sections of our society who are yet to derive the fruits' of development.
,': Employment is the key to human development since i achieves the twin goal of
~ economic empowerment of an individual and his useful utihity to the society.
t'. Commercial agriculture with high scientific and technological \nputs will enable
~. an educated youth to take t6 farming' as an enterprise. Intrastructural and
t'institutional support such as credit, training, transport, mari<eting, storage,
~. processing and pricing' and policy .support will go a long way for; participation of
,t the people of the country in a large way for socio-economic mconstruction of
:B the country in the context of challenges thrown by the WT Agrehment and IPR
}i: issues. The time may not be long before the gap between rural aL\ld urban divide
~ may become narrowed and more professionalism injected to liv\~stock farming
;;. as an economic enterprise.
~,:..
"/ Veterinary services
~
.',' The veterinary profession is possibly one of the most well-knit and
:~< compactly organized professions in the country. The over-all res,ponsibilityof
'\ animal husbandry development and veterinary services as well ~1S veterinary
~' research, education and extension are in the safe hands of compet~nt veterinary
.. professionals. The Indian Veterinary Association has stood as a Inonumental
.i example of organizing and guiding the destiny of the profession. ThE~ constitution
';' of Indian Veterinary Council and its affiliate councils at the State le~ el has been
'. a step in the right direction' to professionalize the animal prod:~ction al~d protection
. systems in our country. The profession tak~s care of the hlsalth and well-being
. ~: 0 the livestock in our country 'and disease prevention, measui'es through
. vaccinations, surveillance. the sanitary and phyto-sanitary responsibilities have
increased owing to the 'WT Agreement. Monitoring of food' chain f~ r toxicants,
.. po!lH!9.!lts, _e~raneous~ conta~i.nan~s_ s~ch a~ h~ayy.. rn~;t.$I~,~a.!Jt~bjotj~s~a.!ld"
.~ pesticides in milk, meat, eggs and other food products ct animal IJrigin have

117
•

. become the professional re!sponsibility of veterinqrians. Designing and upkeep

off.veterinary :hospitals, dispensaries, first-aid centres, slaughter houses, meat!
,milk' processing :units, animal waste disposal units, animal housing systems
and ,animal rearing systems come well within the purview of veterinary
professionals. Nation-Wide n'stwork of quality control and reference laboratory
.infra.,.structure and personnel development need to be created keeping in mind
the animal population and animal products produced and handled in our country.
~ Such a network should have al multi-tier structure at district, state and national
levels for effective control, supervision and monHoring. Animarfood packaging
is an emerging area where veterinary professional expertisE;l wil! ;be most.sought
after. Zoonosis prevention and preventive veterinary medicine are gaining more
,prominence 'in the l context of globalized economy of an.imal production,
'Ve,teri'ria..y jurisprudence
r)~_)l!li~ .... ~~,.. _

i~ The; W,T A.greement anc~ I,ntellectual property rights callJor effective law
'i -' !
~ractmem~ ~nd pr~atiplJ Of mechanism for practic~1 implementation to ensure
,quality pf prodl,lGt~ de\f~loped and ,se,frv,iGe.s rendered. The role of e,conomists,'
tl~q~~!~ a._!1d, ye,~~rinary p(pfessio,Dal~ is to e.ng5=lge th~mselves i~ 8' joint venture
to examine ,the ~eY Jss~esJ9r~yolving ,suita,QIe. (!.IIe.~ ~H)d regulations which take
'Jnto~~qqount.thEf'interests;9fth·~ producer~"consumers and Indian.entrepreneurs
~n~:oxehill iQt€!,rt3st of 'th~ n~tio.n. to guid~). ~he' policy ,m~kers to move in the right
.direction, ~ '.li"
(
/' ,.
~., , .I

Possible ,impacts, I'

" ~,. The imT:>act-of " IPR and globalization on the Indian, scenario Will be felt on
animal produ'ction systems in the country, quality control' mechanisms~ and
pe'rsonnel development, infra-structure in terms of transport, processing, storage,
value. additio~" institu,tional support systems including, credit, pricing etc.,
,eXtension machinerY
) j !: . I'. ",
. j. ",
for training
-1 , • .'
and
_
education,
...
empowerment,
. ,,.,, .
employment
gene'ration ~31d enJrepreneur 'oevelopment. It will also contribute towqrds
cQmmerCiali!!ation 'of .farm'efforts, higher inputs of ~cience and technology in.
ahiriiarp(od4Ictio,n1, ii~prove~'.use of information technology and biotechnological
tooi~,,;'creati()n o(v~·~t Ii~erature on transfer of technology .in food production
th·r2iugh ani~ljals, suosta~t[al Ciwareness on veterinary services rendered, strict
§anitafy 'ari~ll.phytq-~Cinttaiy' mon,itoring. ,Possibl,e the great divid,e between the
rich ~nd thE!. poor may be bridged and agriculture -- industry linkage will be
~\~rlr).g~q~~~~?~~ltJ~ IJhtqww~~$ ;o,! ~~i'11~1 P~g~uc.t!q~ ~y~t~ms ~s ~yailable in t~~1
?,~B~trt, ~,np, ~~~.~:?:tI~~!~~.9.f _.Jnq!~fbFa~'!lJn~.sqrnr:nu.~itYo~.ay .b~;,~,ha(eq w~!h,
cg~'1~!~Rt ~bfR~~I,~lrl~ar1~q~I:9(_~9qnpll1l,9~ a,~_9_;~,Qro~ql~m?t,l.c·,,qc:odltl~ns. ~~~~I
4~{rlc~~!~~ng~~ ,IP;tW!~.s\T<af,.~lt.eg~I~al1.~SJ3{~~.~~~PJlp.aJ?.I~, .th~.;QRR9J:t.YD_.w.~~ =
prd!yjaed~Q~I~gIQDallia'tion'and IPR guia~lines,ma;{;. be ~xp~cteoAq, be.nefit the,.
cdMm~W ~i3fn 'ir;'it'Re'lbng 'iJrl". "I " ' " \ ' '- ;A •• _'--.Iv" p.o." .• ' .' .. , ,,.. 'l

, \ \-
 IMPACT OF WTO ON VETERINARY EDUCATION IN INDIA
M.V. SUB.BA RAO 1, MADHAVA RAO 2, Ch. PURUSHOTHAM 3

Acharya N.G. Ranga Agril. University

Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030
Information on Veterinary medicine in India was documented in the ancient
literature and,archeological findings since 2000-3000 B.C. Animals were taken
care well in India since the ancient times to modern age. However, the history
of modern Veterinary education as it is practiced now can be traced back to the,
year 1862, wi'th the establishment of Army Veterin~ry School at Pune. Several '
Veterinary Schools were established between 1871 and 1883 to train manpower '
to safeguard ~he anima! health and in particular, to contain the cattle plague
(Rinderpest).
Veterinary Colleges at Lahore, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Patna were
started in the years 1884, 1886, 1893, 1903 and 1930 respectively to impart
training leading to a three year diploma course to matriculates, A four year
degree programme of B.V.Sc. with curriculum in livestock production was'
launched for Intermediate science passed students at Madras Veterinary
college affiliated to Madras University in 1936. Independent India has
'embarked upon ambitious expansion of Veterinary education with the
settin9 up, of ten more Veterinary Colleges by the year 1956, which include
Colleges of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (1946) and Tirupati (1955) in
Andhra Pradesh. During the next four decades the Veterinary education
in India grew rapidly with setting up of 16 more Veterinary Colleges in
different states. However, Andhra Pradesh did not expand its Veterinary
education till 1998, when a third Veterinary colleges was set up at
Gannavaram, Krishna district, keeping pace with the other states.
The first Agricultural University based on the pattern of US Land grant
universities was established in the year 1960 at Pantnagar in UP. Soon
, , afterwards Agricultural Universities came up in almost all the states of India
and the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University was established in the year 1964.
" With the advent of Agricultural Universities, the Veterinary Colleges were
transferred to the State Agricultural Universities and became their integral
components.

.
1
'3 Dean7Faguity of Veterinary Science 2 Assoc. Prot and Dy. Director (Vety)
Additionral Controller of Exams,

119
I. Pattern of Veterinary Education
Veterinary.Colieges in the country followed the British pattern of
conventional teaching and evaluation of the students based on annual
examinations like other degree programmes of traditional universities to which
they were affiliated. The State Agricultural Universities which were started with
trimester system of teaching have switched over to semester pattern.
In trimester I s~mester systems, the subject is divided into numberof courses
and each course carry certain prescribed credit hour load and the courses are completely
assessed by the course in charge teacher which is termed as Intemal evaluation system.
This course credit pattem has undergone certain changes with respect to evaluation of
students. The alphabetical grades awarded were changed to 4-point numerical grade
scale and subsequently to 1a-point scale.
II. Improvement in the Academic Programme
The University has offered a B.V.Sc. degree till 1978-79. Later the degree
was diversified into B.V.Sc. & A.H. reflecting qualitative change for a balanced
system of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary subjects in the five years degree
programme. During the year 1981-87; courses like feed technology, fish culture
and wild life,management were introduced to strengthen Veterinary educ~tio~.'
The pre'sent Veterinary curriculum for B.Y'.Sc. & A.H.· programme was
restructured and revised during the year 1994-95 as per the minimum standards
prescribed by Veterinary Council of India. To meet the requirement, the credit
load was increased from 173 to 192 credits by substantially strengthening the
basic courses, like Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology an~ Veterinary
Extension Education. The compulsory Inte'rnship programme was' also
introduced with duration of six calendar months. The'new departments such as
Vety. Biochemistry, Epidemiology & Preventive m'edicine and Vety. Public Health
were also established in twp Veterinary Colleges of the university. .
\
IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON VETY. EDUCATION:
Under WTO regime, the higher education is being commercialized and
the revolution that taking place in higher education slowly changing our basic
understanding of the role of university. The higher education should aim at
producing professionals and academicians who are self-confident, self-reliant
and self-competing individuals, and who are not merely white collar job seekers.
Thb higher education should conceQtrate 'on' the rapid changes that is taking
_Rlace in the areas of scientific, technological, economic and social due 'to
Glbbalizatio'n and effect of GAAT and need to be considered for inclusion in _.
cu~riculum of higher
, I I education.
_
1-20
 . At present, all fields of human activity including education have been
influenced by the process of globalization along with information technology.
The world is like·a 919bal village and the globalisation of economy has lead to
internationalization of higher education not merely for economic benefits but
also for promotion of international understanding. A stage has been reached
that higher education has become commercial product .and Will: be subjected to
free trade. This commercialization leads to devaluation of the social. benefits of
education and individual returns would acquire greater significance. Thereby
the universities, would function like business concerns looking for buyers of
their Rroducts in order, to increase profits due to globalisation. Hence, some of
the universities situated in advanced countries are looking at India as a potential
market for th~ir educational programmes and products.

The globalisation of market economy has compelled to calculate the

investment in terms of input and output ratio. It is estimated that.social returns
of primary education is 25 per cent while that of higher education is only 1 per
cent. Though the returns are less and purely personal/private.: the subsidy on
higher education get reduced In recent years that lead· financial crisis in many
universities. Now the universities have to' be self-supporting by searching' but
alternate means of finance, and. generating funds .from internal sources. If our
degree programmes have to survive global markets, we have to abandon
traditional mind-set of making compromises in curricular reforms, conduct of
examinations, admission of students and selectiqn of ,teachers.
_In' 8' WTO controlled regime, there is real danger of the universities in the
developing country like India, being swamped by overseas institutions intent on
earning a profit but not concerned 'about contribution to national development.
'lJniversities can 'make commitments to overcome the implications of WTO
as follows
. '. Itis necessary to improve'the infrastructure in Vety. colleges, create
facilities of high order
,. Adopt a more flexible academic structure, introduce academic
reforms to suit to international standards
• Constant interaction with industries
• to restructure curriculc;l in view ()f Glob.alisptipn and its impact on
livestock and on products of livestock and poultry
- _-:....:- _o
...
~

.• Placement o'fstudents in:inQustries to provide hands on training

'r

121
 • To strengthen the Internship programme towards intensive practical
training
• T01ie up with other universities in abroad for exchange of students
during Internship programme
• Extending services in education in developing countries also
• Allot seats for NRI's towards income generation and self sufficient
• To concentrate on human recourse development '
• Fixing up the maximum permissible fees to meet operational
expenses
• adopt all the measures that will make our UG and PG Veterinary
education, more attractive to match the standards of international
order.
FUTURE NEEDS IN VIEW OF WTO
1. 'Quality Vety. Education
The quality of education is influenced by th~ ,avaiiabJe infrastructure
facilities. -
• 'It is essential to have adequate farm facilities 'for teaching.
"

• Exclusive farm blocks should' be developec;f in every institution to

serve as, models on land use through proper livestock numb~r for
using advocated techl'lologies with a sharp focus on economics.
, -
• Farm recorqs. on these blocks should be open'to the stUdents to
study, review, analyze ~nd, comment as part of the qCagemic
, , I

requirement. , ' 0
,
•
• Laboratories s~ould be continuously upgraded and maintained to
aid skill development.
\.
• Group teaching must be minimized and adequate opportunities
must be provided to each student to handle equipment and acquire
skills. \ '
• Establishing computer I~boratories for students practice is a must.
Such laboratories shoJld' be accessible to stUdents 'even after class
_j_
,
hQW~:_ '~_ 0 ",'0 " _ _ J, . '_\
• With the developmer)ts"Jn information technology and Cyber
•
\
" 122
 system~, computer based library should receive continuous
attention and investment.
• Senior staff of the institute should be exposed to management.
• Introduction of chapters on Management Information Systems,
GIS to tackle the field situation and also to facilitate control and
eradicate diseases of livestock
2. Quality Institution of Higher Learning
Investment in higher education was not proportional despite country's
achievements in milk and egg production in this millennium. Sustaining
the global status in the next millennium is certainly challenging. The
scope for export of animal products is on the increase. Our attempts to
maintain quality in education should be competitive to remain NUMBER
ONE in the next millennium. The areas of biotechnology, environmental
sciences and information technology in veterinary education needs more
attention.
3. Computer Aided Instruction and Virtual Institutions
Computer Aided Instruction (CAl) is an advanced area of instructional
technology which can be applied to veterinary education also. With advent
of modern multimedia technology, various tutorial courseware including
3-D graphics, animation, audio/video effects, etc., may be developed in
all courses for self-guided learning by the~>novice students to understand
the concepts of a particular subject / course.
4. Data Analysis an'd Management Tools for Classroom Administration
The IT revolution can influence veterinary education in many fruitful w,ays
by providing technological tools for education delivery, such as CD-ROMs
on multimedia PCs, use of Internet, and networking of institutes sharing,
resou rces and information. Students and faculty may have to use various
sophisticated software tools for applications like computer aided design,
(CAD), protein structure display, semen analysis, etc. related to the areas
of ~urgery & radiology, structural biology, animal genetics and breeding,
disease diagnosis, vaccine production etc.
5. Skill oriented 'Education
_ _ Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University introduced ,number of ,'lEarn
while you Learn Projects" to provide work experience and "Hand on
Training to the students of C.V.Sc. & A.H. besides earning some money.
The First EWYL Project for Poultry and Piggerv was started in 1964 at '

1?~
I
College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati. During 1994-95, besides these
a programme in "Milk and Milk products" was started at College of
Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar and Tirupati. There is also a need to
train the students on economic production of livestock and value added
products from them. The training should also be directed towards understanding
of marketing strategies including export and import of these products including
implications of globalization and liberalization of world trade.
6. Human Resource Development
There is acute shortage of human resource in Veterinary Colleges all
over India. Out of 3500 teachers required for teaching in 33 Veterinary
Colleges of all over country only 1858 teachers were available for both
UG/PG teaching. Every year about 200-250 teaching posts are falling
vacant in Veterinary Colleges. Hence there is an urgent need for
development of human resources in faculty of Veterinary Science.
7. . Value Based Education "
No education is worth anything if it is not value oriented. By education
our,great thinkers have always meant drawing out the best in human's
body" mind and spirit, and to th~ society, "the best" has always been
synonymous with its cherished values. Therefore, one of the most
important,functions of our academic institutions is to help overall
developme'nt of student both mentally .and physically. Hence it is
necessary that the student is given opportunities by providing
infrastructure and facilities for proper phYSical education and yoga etc.
8., Vocationalisation
. ,
. \

In India, ,the percentage of students studying for professional degrees is

extremely low when 'we compare it with other developed countries. Hence,
/
we need, to focus for iife-making and need-based education, since without
education planning, there can not be social planning. It is only the
edl,lcational revolution, which can bring about social and economic
revolution in our country. The education system should empower rural
youth to be more job creators ratherthan job seekers. Educational system
focusing more on value ed'-lcatio~, which builds character as well.
\ \ . -
. I More and more avenues should be opened for rural youth so that they
can receive education and trai.nirig in agriculture and Veterinary subjec,ts.
.. f However, mere opening of a n'~mber of institutions will not be sufficient, _
built should be ensured that I1.!ral youths are properly motivated to hames~
the benefits.
. I

124
The reasons for school leaving generally mentioned by the youth are
that they are 'not interested' 'needed at home' 'cannot afford to go' etc.
To check and minimize the number of school dropouts the number of
schools dropouts, steps must be take~ by every educational institution to
provide the best possible guidance and counseling service for such youth
so that they can go for vocational training and make decision by
themselves for their future.
The land-grant colleges were becoming more and more concerned with
the development of training in vocational agricultureNeterinary in rural
high schools. By 1909 the association of land-grant colleges accepted
agricultural education as a permanent part of the public school system.
There were legislative efforts made in ,congress to provide funds for
vocational agriculture.
In India too, we have to think, plan and execute the educational strategies
for the developmental change particularly in agricultureNeterinary
subjects. In this context, the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural university
has introduced polytechnic education in Animal Husbandry for the first
time in India by starting two year Diploma in Animal Husbandry at
.Livestock Research Station, Palamaner, Chittoor district with main
objective of training the rural youth as gross root level workers i.e. Para
veterinarians in field of Animal Husbandry. There is a need for more
polytechnics in the field of Animal Husbandry, Poultry, Dairy and Fisheries.

Preparation of the students to self-employment

Removal of unemployment
National growth and development
Fulfillment of the national goals of manpower development
Enhancement of individual employability/prosperity
To meet the need of middle level manpower for growing sectors·of
economy
To impart education relevant to productivity
To prevent the high cost professional education at high level
To increase job opportunities
To understand the dignity of professional education
To face the problems of middlellow level manpower

125
 VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN
ECONOMIC TRANSITION - AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
S. SAMANTARAY1 and A. PRASAD2
1Associate Professor Parasitology & Academic In-c.harge 2Dean-cum-Principal
Bihar Veterinary College, Patna-800 014
Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar

Introduction
'India is the seventh largest and second most populous country in the
world. Since 1991, India has undergone major economic reform, consisting of
opening of the economy-to more foreign trade and investment, and dismantling
the industrial licensing system. The country has now passed through second
phase of economic reiorm. A series oi ambitious economic reiorm a\med at
deregulating the country and stimulating foreign investment has moved India
firmly into front ranks of the rapidly growing Asia Pacific region and unleashed
the latent strength of a complex and rapidly changing nation. All these led to a
world-wide interesting the Indian economy ,not witnessed since the time of Indian
indepengence. Toda.y India is one of the most exiting eme_rging market in the
world, which provide India a distinct cutting edge in global competition.
. ,

It is not as,tfthe scenario is without gloom. These are important questions

about what is happening to poverty and inequality in India. Even though several
anti poverty measures have been in operation for decades focusing on the poor
as the target group viz~ ~elfare of weaker sections, women and children, the
number of people living I.Inder Below Poverty Line (BPL) still are at large. The
government has relied mainly on three approaches for reduction of poverty and
unemployment viz., higher economic growth, anti-poverty and employment
programmes and priority to' .government expenditure on social sectors. The
poverty ratio declined from 56.4 per cent in'1973-74 to 37.3tn 1993-94 in rural
lareas and from 49.0 per cent.'in 1973-74 to 32.4 per. cent in 1993-94 in urban
areas. For the country as a who'le, the poverty ratio declined from 54.9 per cent
in 1973-74 to 36 per cent in 1993-94. Animal Husbandry because of its close
association to agriculture and rural'people has the largest potential of generating
rural employment opportunity in 'India and can playa major role in the
implementation of Government spol\sored poverty alleviation and employment
generation schemes like Swarna Jaya\ntl Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) and·
Pradh~n Mantri Rojgar Yojana (PMRY).

National
. j
Hig'her Education Context .} , . \
~ :....

"! Since independence in 1~47 ther~ have been considerable dev~lopments

in national educ~tionlal an~ training poli y at allieweis. When the National Policy
7
126

•
was formulated in 1968 it was envisaged that it would be followed by 'five year
review of progress and working out of new policies and programmes such
reviews have been undertaken to assess the shortcomings and achievements
of education and decided upon the programmes for the next five years. While
these reviews have served a useful purpose, it is now felt that mere reviews
and minor modifications of the present framework is not enough. The country
has now entered into the 21 st century and there has been a great technological
advancement and revolution world over particularly in the field of communication
and flow of information. The phenomenon of globalization provide students
options for higher education which is no longer constrained by national
boundaries. At present there are 226 university level institutions in India
including 39 'Deemed universities.' Out of these 155 are traditional universities,
34 Agricultural Universities, 3 Universities of Veterinary Animal Sciences and
fisheries, 17' are Engineering and Technology Universities including 6 Institutes
of Technology, 14 Universities of Medical Sciences and Technology, a National
University of Law, Institute for Population Sciences, Indian Statistical Institute,
Indian Institute of Science, 1 University for Journalism, 1 University for Ayurveda,
5 Universities for Women's Studies, 6 Sanskrit universities, 7 Open Universities,7
Universities ofFine Arts and Music and 1 University of History of Art, Conservation
and Museology Recently a few private Universities have been established
which has enriched the list of Higher Education Institutions in India. This long
li~t of Higher Education Institutions produce skilled managerial and technical
manpower that match the best available in the ;world help India becoming the
new "Asian Tiger" in technology. In order to march ahead it will require major
policy reform in the way Indian universities are structured, funded, governed
and regulated. It also requires close link between industries, technology based
centers and universities.' With support from new entrepreneurial type of
leadership of top level administrators India has the potentialities to capture the
up-side benefit of globalization, emerging with a strong, better, more globally
competitive higher education system.
National Veterinary Education Context
In India, the initiation of Veterinary Education was made during the British
Colonial rule by organizing a training course in Veterinary Science in 1821 by
the Veterinary Surgeons to the Governor General's bodyguard at Calcutta for
employment as skilled personnel in cops of British Indian Cavalry, but the first
Veterinary Educational Institution, an Army Veterinary School was established
= in "the year 1862 atPoona with the sole objective-to train persons,who-wQuld
assist Veterinary Surgeons in service delivery. However, it was in 1882 that the
first Veterinary College was established at Lahore, subsequently Veterinary

127
 Colleges w~re setup at Bombay{1886), Calcutta(1893), Madras(1903) and
Patna(1927). Since then, Veterinary Education in India has shown tremendous
progress and at present there are 36 Veterinary Colleges in India producing
around 3000 graduates per year. Most of the veterinary colleges in India are
under the control of Agricultural Universities, except only a few which are under
the Veterinary and Animal Science Universities. Though these colleges are under
the administrative control of various Universities they follow a common syllabus
prescribed by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI). Veterinary education at
present face a number of challenges in their attempt to prepare student to work
as Veterinary Surgeons. In spite of the facts that Veterinary Council of India was
formed under the Indian Veterinary Council Act (52 of 1984) by the Indian
Parliament to regulate veterinary education and practice in India, the veterinary
colleges find it hard to maintain the standard of education in the absence of
adequate resource as well as teaching staff. There is continued pressure on
University recourses and scarcity of teaching staff to maintain academic
environment. In spite of all these bottleneck a positive factor emerged in the
recent years is the entry of high quality student in to the basic veterinary degree
(B.V. Sc. &A. H.). cours~~ A v~teri!lary career is still perceived to be an attractive
proposition by the young pupil who continue to apply to veterinary colleges in
I?rge numbers~'This is because most of them are aware of the diversity of career
opportunities available to them as veterinary and animal science graduates both
in home and abroad.
Need to Encourage Greater Diversity in Applicants
-
Looking into the greater diversities of career opportunities viz. practice;
teaching research, public health, pharmaceuticals, banking, insurance,
marketing, management, civil administration, and defense we also need to
encourage greater diversity'in the type of applicants willing to pursue education
, in Veterinary and Animal Scit:;nces. At present the socio-economic background
of applicants in Veterinary ColI,eges are very much skewed towards those from
higher socio-economic groups and professions who do not prefer veterinary
practice to De their careers and h~sitantly accept rural posting. The recent practice
of introduCing paid -seat in some Agricultural Universities also goes in favour of
the wards of rich well to do families of urban background. Such students neither
have any emotional or cultural attachm~nt ~ith animal nor have desire for animal
welfare, they choose to obtain a veterinary degree just only to grab job. They
can ,never feel p'roud of their profession nor the Veterinary' profession can be
~maqe proud-of-them,StudenUromcrural,cbackground who~were traditionally-and
culturally associated with agriculture and animal husbandry and have an special
liking for the anim1als a~d can have better understanding of the behavior -and

'128
 habit of the animals can not withstand the high competition to get admission to
Veterinary College. Such students in spite of having a better aptitude for
undertaking veterinary practice as profession can not get an opportunity to
pursue studies of their choice.
Updating the 'Curricular Dynamics of Instruction
The courses curriculum of the basic veterinary degree programme,
Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B. V. Sc. & A. H.)
comprises of a minimum of 1,88 Gredit hours distributed logically between clinical,
production and other subjects spread over to nine semesters with six month
internship training at hospital anc~ atfarm. Though there is very little scope of
further addition of new courses to the exiting syllabus some modifications in the
syllabus can always' be made looking into the demand of the global job market.
•
Role of veterinary graduates have b~en widened in the recent past.
Veterinarians have to play significant role in Insurance, Banking, Marketing,
Administration, Food processing Industries, Pharmaceutical Units, Feed
compounding Industries and Disaster Management, but such aspects have not
been adequately covered in the curriculum of basic veterinary degree courses.
Similarly courses on Personal and occupational health needs to be introduced
for the benefit of' public in 'general and the veterinarians in particular. With
economic liberalization, a large crunch of Indian middle class has been
transformed in to elite classes. Their presence is likely to swell and spread from
the urban areas.io the semi-urban or rural areas. Hence in order to cater to
their need c9urses on Companion Animal Care need to be introduced in to the
basic veterinary degree course curriculum.,
Veterinary Public Health Needs More Emphasis
Veterinarians have a commitment for animal health, welfare, public health
and environment, still they have an increasingly important role to play in National
Health through production of safe, high quality food through meat inspection
and hygiene. We must ensure that we maintain a high level of veterinary expertise
in production animal medicine in the interest of public health. Apart from this
the widespread use of chemical compounds with pharmacological effect and
occurrence of environmental pollutants require new emphasis for veterinary
service in farm animal treatment. Protection of man, animal and envlronment
against harmful influences, protection of man and environment against influences
of livestock production including wastes and carcasses , inc'rease of efficient
~d_ quality-of food ~production andJinally.the case. ofcanimabwelfare-under. the
influence of man require other strategies than the treatment of diseased animal.
It is therefore felt that apart from the traditional courses, the courses on ecology,

129
 environmental hygiene should be incorporated at the undergraduate as well as
postgraduate level syllabus of Veterinary Public Health.
Introduction of Programme·Problem Based Learning Method
Since 'Veterinary' is less a science and more. a profession the context
should be. on professionalism, whereas most of us give stress on learning science
than on professional practice. Most of our Institutions are still adopting the
traditional method of teaching in which the students obtain instructions
supplemented from books and finally mug up. Knowledge acquired through this
method lasts short in the memory and most of the knowledge is lost soon after
examination. There is less or no opportunity for the students to develop thinking
skill. In the present system there is no way either to generate or assess the
critical, analytical, reflective and creative skill of a student. In the contrary the
Programme-Problem Based Learning (PPBL) provides full opportunity to a
student to think and analyse the problem through discussion among the fellow
students and senior professors thus they grow. Though many tel;ichers believe
that Role Based Learning (RBL) is more effective than PPBL we are yet to
follow either of these learning method. It is certain that PPBL and RBL both the
learning methods are definitely better than the traditional method of learning
that we are adopting. Extensive study conducted on instructional method
conducted by Fossum et al. (1993) shows that "learning by doing" was the
most reliable measure of teaching effectiveness. This method enables the
students to become the effective problem framer and solver. In this system the
students develop better understanding and retains the facts for much longer
period or even permanently without mugging up. Though the syllabus framed
by Veterinary Council of India gives sufficient emphasis on practical and
laboratory/clinical practice this is ineffectively put in to practice and theories are
being taught in practical clas.ses either due to poor infrastructural facility or due
• to rigid mindset of the teach~rs as a resuit there is a missing link between'the
science and methodology and bur graduates lack confidence and are unprepared
for professional practice. Henc~Jhe "case method learning through collaborative
learning group" may be incorporated into the traditional didactic courses of
veterinary curriculum.
Use of Computer and Informatio·n Technology in Instruction
\ I

In most of the Veterinary Colleges in India the instructions are being

given in a traditional way which is time consuming and comparatively less
~ff~~~ive. T~ere is'a growing consensuS-that a sound understanding of the ba~ic
-veterinary-science is ssS"erltiaf anatt19 maVEns from tea-chin·g to learning: We ; :
need to understand the philosophy of learning, how better pupils learn and the
I
130
~ircumstances in which good and effective learning takes place. Most of us
teach thG way we were taught, ignoring the vast technologiqal advancement
made in the communication skill. The age old practice of lecture and notes can
not generate adequate attention and interest of the student in the classroom.
The instructions in some of the subjects like Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Small ,
and Large Animal Surgery and Animal Reproduction can be made highly effective,
cost effective and easy to understand through multimedia and case simulation
computer programmes. Many such educational softwares have been developed
and is being used in several Veterinary Educational institutions all over the world.
Similar progr~mmes can be designed and developed within the country keeping,
in view of local condition and requirements for the, benefit of Indian students.
Apart from these the computer aided diagnosis system and computer
automation of the Veterinary Clinic would assist in collecting achieving and storing ,
of digitized information by the faculty and the students would make the Veterinary
iEducation more effective.
'structuring Animal Health Information System
Excellent progress have been made in the recent past on the use of
information technology in veterinary and animal science education and research
world over. At present informations on veterinary and animal sciences are being
made available through Information Network - DAINnet, MEDLAR, IndexVET,
~EIN, IVIS etc. All these together with many otherwebsites related to veterinary
~nd animal science et<;;. have made a worldwide v~H:(Jal library but these sites
:possess very little Qr no information on data and information related to Indian
~conditions. It is necessary that libraries of veterinary education and research
finstitutions should be linked to share their database of local information in
raddition to the already available global information. .
~~aintaining Standard of Postgraduate Veterinary Education
The future of Veterinary Profession lies on the shoulder of students
:pursuing their Post-Graduate Studies in various disciplines of Veterinary and
,~nimal Sciences at different Veterinary Educational Institutions. Almost all the
~eterinary colleges in India as well as national institutes like tndianVeterinary
[Research Institute (IVRI) and National Dairy Research Insttute ( NDRI) offer
[post-graduate education and research for veterinary graduates, though these
rstudents are being prepar:ed at the expence of the State, there is no provision
W-> assess the outcome of Post -graduate education. In the absence of any
[e"gulatQry mechanism for quality control behind the post-graduate education,
~~"e "institutions have virtually turned factories of super specialities. As the
~eterinary Council of India is regulating the Undergraduate Veterinary Education

131
•

and maintaining its uniformity all over the country similar measures needs to be
taken to regulate and maintain the minimum standard and uniformity of post-
graduate veterinary education.
References
Fossum, T. W~, Ruoff, W. W. Rushton, W. T., and Paprock, K. E. (1993). Pattern'
of and 'criteria for evaluating clinical teaching performance: perception of
a national
Krishnaraj, R. (1991). Training needs in veterinary science as perceived by
, veterinary assistant surgeon. Indian Veterinary Journal 68(3):260-264.
Marshak, R. R. (1993). Veterinary Medical Education-towards the twenty-first
century. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 20(1): 28-30.
, ,

Mould, K. L. (1994). Why streaming is a must in veterinary education. Canadian

Veterinafy Journal 35(3 ) : 140- 141. "
Pritchard, W. R. (1993). Some implications of structural changes in veterinary
medicine and its impact on veterinary education. Journal of veterinary
Medical Association. 203 (3) : 361-364.
sample of tea~hing veterinary dinicialls. Journal of Veterinary Medical Educa_tion
20 (1): 24:27.
Sashidhar,P. V. K. (2002). Revitalising veterinary and animal science education
for future f India - issues and approache~. Journal of Agricultural and
extention.8(3): 139-144.
Whither, K. G., Browning'" G. F., Brightling, P. and McNaught, C. (1994). Veterinary
: education in the era of informatio'n technology. Australian Veterinary
Journal. 71(4):106-108. / '
/
\

132
 and maintaining its uniformity all overthe country similar measures needs to be
taken to regulate and maintain the minimum standard and uniformity of post-
graduate veterinary education.
References
Fossum, T. W~, Ruoff, W. W. Rushton, W. T., and Paprock, K. E. (1993). Pattern'
of and 'criteria for evaluating clinical teaching performance: perception of
a national
Krishl"!araj, R. (1991). Training needs in veterinary science as perceived by
veterinary assistant surgeon. Indian Veterinary Journal 68(3):260-264.
Marshak, R. R. (1993). Veterinary Medical Education-towards the twenty-first
century. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 20(1): 28-30.
. .
Mould, K. L. (1994). Why streaming is a must in veterinary education. Canadian
Veterinary Journal 35(3) : 140- 141. ..
Pritchard, W. R. (1993). Some implications of structural changes in veterinary
medicine and its impact on veterinary education. Journal of veterinary
Medical Association. 203 (3) : 361-364.
sample oH~aching veterinary clinicians. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
20 (1) ':,~4-27. .
Sashidhar,P. V. K. (2002). Revitalising veterinary and animal science education
f
for future India - issues and approaches. Journal of Agricultural and
extention.8(3):, 139-144.
Whither, K. G., Browning, G. F., Brightling, P. and McNaught, C. (1994). Veterinary
education in the ·~ra of information technology. Australian Veterinary
Journal. . 71 (4): 106-108. / .

13
r WTO (World Trade Organization) AND THE INDIAN
,POULTRY INDUSTRY
RAJINI, R.A., SUNDARESAN, A.* and I. ALFRED JAYAPRASAD
Education Cell, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai. 600007
Introduction .
WTO (World Trade Organization) formerly GATT (General Agreement
on Tariffs and TradE~) was established on 1st January 1995 to make a smooth,
predictable and free trade between nations. As it is a big global trade
Organization, maximum world countries are now a member of it and as per the
OGL (Open General, License) the quantitative restrictions
,
were removed. On
first January 1995 the WORLD TRADE ORGANI~TION was established. India
accepted the WrO in the conferencial meeting held in Marrakesh (Morroco) in
1994 and becotne a member from 151 January 1995 ..
Effects of WTO
As per the agreement, the members of all developed countries have to
import 3% of their local trade and it should be gradually increased to 5% in the
next 6 years. For developing countries like India it should be 2% in the beginning
and after six years it should be 3.33%.
I

, As per the agreement the following orders should be followed by all

memqer countries.
....
a. Reduction of 20% subsidies for domestic products.
b. Reduction of 36% ,tariffs for import products
c. Reduction of 36% subsidies for exports products.
d. Reduction of 21 % subsidies for total export products ..
THE INDIAN POULTRY SECTOR
The Indian .poultry industry now has a turn over of 11,000 crores (1 %
GOP). The actual development in the broilers was started in the late 80's, but in
the last 12 years it took a giant leap. Growth in the Indian poultry sector will
accelerate in 2005 with a poultry meat production of 9,35,000 tones and egg
production of 43 billions pieces. While the south Indian broiler industry has
become highly integrated, operations in the north remains largely unorganized
sector. Periodic and cyclical glut in broiler supply leads to low market prices, the
nigh fe~p.cost a,nd more production of broilers leads to much pike fluctuation in
a year.

133
III

Consumption
Shanmugam (2001) opined that the eggs and poultry meat are marketed
in a fresh form. Practically 100 % of broiler meat is consumed by urban
population. The egg powder consumption is roughly 1% only. Egg prices in the
range between, Rs.1.00 to 1.30 per egg, but farm gate price of broiler remains at,
, 23-26 Rs/Kg. ($0.55). Retail Market prices for dressed meat has ranged between
Rs.40-65/Kg. Per capita consumption of eggs and meat in India is 38 eggs &
1008 gms meat respectively while the WHO recommendation of 180 eggs and
11.9kg meat per annum is far above the per capita consumption of India. The
National Egg Co-ordination committee (NECC) is the only marketing organization
that promotes egg sales in India.
Removal of Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) and Its Effect on the Indian
Poultry Sector,
In dev!3loped countries people prefer breast meat of chicken or the so
called WHITE MEAT which is sold at around 2.76 US dollars (Rs.128.62) per
pound. It is believed that the breast meat contains less amount of cholesterol
than the remaining portion of the meat. Leg meat is being considered as dark
meat, it is a throwaway by-product and, some times it is sold at a lowest price of
25 cent per pound i.e. Rs.25/kg. 111 May 2002 major chicken meat producer,s in
the US slaughtered about 50 lakhs broilers and the One lakh leg pieces were
keptin the cold storage for long periods due to less demand and this could be
sold in India 'at RS;25-28/kg. The cost of production of ~ggs in US is estimated
to be equivalent to Rs.2.40/egg, in EU it is Rs. 3.00/egg. The selling price of
eggs in local mar~~ets in Europe is Rs.4.00/egg. Yet the EU sells its eggs at Rs.1
to 1.40/egg in the Middle East market . -
I

Imports, I

Some of ,the US companies lik~. McDonald, Kentucky Fried Chicken

(KFC), Perdue farms, TySO~ foods, Pizza Hut, Wimperly etc. export the chicken
leg pieces to India \
\

Sihgh (1998) reported, that McDonald has invested 75 million dollars

'(Rs.350 crores) in India to cre~te 100-more Restaurants to sell its meat like
chicken, pork and mutton, '\ \ ;
Desai(2001) Chairman of\VHL group reported that the major. poultry
production; consumption and exporting countries like USA, China, EU and Brazil
targeted IndiaJtmarket to export th~ir products. .', \
According to WTO Agreement the developing countries should decreas'e
the tariff to 24%
, \
over 10-years and for developed
.
.counties 36% in 6-years.
134 I
 Sri Lanka broiler rate is Rs.1 OO/kg (Twice than ours), but due to low cost
of imported US leg prices, Sri Lanka imports these leg pieces converts them to
sausages and export's it to India at a very competitive price.
Disputes
The judgements seem to always support the US and the E'U. Some of
the following complaints are from developing nations but none have been
considered.
a. Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico - Banana import '
complaint
b. Japan, and South Korea - Health and safety inspection of
agriculture imports complaints. .'
c. Hungary - Export subsidy scheme
d. Philippines - Pork and poultry meat import control
e. Taiwan - Pork meat import
Developed countries rejected India's request to the balance of payment
(BOP) in a phased out manner. Sunderlal(2000) reported tflc;lt about 500 kg
of poultry and turkey meat was supplied by the PERDUE FARMS in New Delhi
on JI;me 2000.
Desai (2001 ) reported' that the OGL may cause a set back to local markets.
Developed cquntriE?s will soon dump legs an I<?_w rates .In India the dressed
chicken or wet chicken consumption is, less than 6%, it ,may go up to' 15% in
2004. She adds, that the export of chicken to India by developed countries are
for three reasons.
, .
a. Chicken leg' which is a by-product occupies more storage space
which is more expensive and also ,lowers the storage space for
bre~st meat.

b. They realize their entire profit from the sale of breast meat and
want to sell the unwanted portion to developing countries.
c. Th~y enjoy a good level of their Government support by way of
direct and indirect subsidies.
The WTO is insisting to scrap out the 10% subsidy offered to the faimers.
To the contrary the US farmers in developed countries get21% subsidy by their
Govemment. US. is read'y to import Rs. one million worth of:J nd ian- poultry products
·t)'tJtforwhich it is demanding to sell their two crore worth of products in India;~l:JS
firms are now selling only 15 lakh worth of their poultry products.
135·
Advantages
1. The WTO Agreement itself will be sufficient for trading between
countries.
.2. Other than' poultry .and other farm products, India may stand to
gain. through WTO.
3. We may get the latest technology for food production and
processing.
4. .. If we improve our production and export, then it will improve job
opportunities.
5. Once we gain a grip on the export means, then we will increase
our farm capacity and gains.
Disadvantages
1. ENS Economic Bureau (2001) reported that the Indian poultry
meat market prefers the fresh meat it is difficult for the developed
countries to sell its meat products like chicken legs in India, but.
th~y mCiY target ~I:l~ .hotels, restaurants anct fas~ food centers for
dumping their products.
2. Though our wet meat consumption (frozen or chilled meat) is 5%
now and the forecast shows an increase of 15 to 20% in the next
4 years: ..
3. The prospect of rejection of our export poultry products in the
developed countries due to stringent quality measures..
5. Countries like. Sri Lanka, Russia and Taiwan literally handed over
their poultry rnatket in the hands of the developed countries . .
6. Competition in '~gricultural products could bring down the feed
prices and in tur,,\pull down the price of chicken.
CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE FOR POULTRY SECTOR IN INDIA
" \ .
1. Classified neither as an agriculture nor industrial sector, the poultry sector
in India r~ceives far less support than its potential contribution. Over all
Govemment support for the poultry sector increased from Rs.55 million
(Rs.5.5 crores) in 1998/99 to R~.\62 million (6.2 crores) in 2000/01. .
2. Poor loan r,epayment from poultry farmers' lead to poor investment of
= =- t~~n~s_f9~ P9~.ltrY_ind lJ~try~. ~. 1_. ' . ' , \

3.: EU (European Union) is charging 70% and 60% import duties for Indian
egg pow~ersland ~addy and Broken, rice respectively. .
I

136
if

4. In EU the direct Income payments is based on out put (Land-a side

program)
5. USA have 20% Agricultural productions subsidies, besides their farmers
get more income from their "Green box" provision Le. exemption from
income tax for' agricultural goods. '
6. UNDP (United Nations Development Program) reported sub,sidies to favor
the US local market to $ 29,000 (Rs.13,00,000) per farmer in 1995. Ttl_is
is several times the per capita income of some develo'ping countries like
India.
,
7. "DefiCiency payments" in the US the farmers can get a predetermined
, rate in bad year against the low market rate but enjoy good income in
good year.
•
Developed countries are offering heavy subsidies on production as well
as export. For e.g. USA is subsidizing export of poultry meat to the extent of
Rs.18/k9: while EU is subsidizing Rs.13.5/kg and eggs to the extent of 30%
export price. '
CONDITIONS FAVOURABLE FOR POULTRY SECTOR
1. Expert Inspection Council of India (EIC) (2002) has been directed to
- undertake quality control and Inspection of fresh poultry meat and po~l\ry
meat products from January 1, 2003.
2. The agricuJtural and processed food products Export Development
Authority (Apeda) is planning to setup an export zone (E2) in East
Godava'ri - Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs.12-crores. By which
the export will increase to 60-lakh-table eggs/day from 15 table eggs/
d~' ~
3. Imports of Grand parents poultry breeding stock would now attract a basic
customs duty of 35% plus surcharge of 10%.
4. Though the import duty for feed additives has been reduced from 45% to
35% the 10% surcharge will restrict the import feed additives.
5. Vaccines will attract an export excise of 16% in 2000-01
6. As of 2000-01, poultry export from our country has touched Rs.1 ,051.4
million from R,s.950;00 million in 1999-2000. Expected export in 2002~
2003 will be Rs.1200 millions is helping .
. 7:. India exports larg~
quantities of table and hatching eggs to-the-Middle'
-1' - East, Poultry products valued at Rs.16 crores have been exported to gulf

137
 countries, B~ngladesh and Philippines. Table egg exports have increased
dramatically from 106 million in 1998 to an estimated 165 million in 1999
largely due to increased demand from the Middle East, Maldives and
Bangladesh. .
Conclusi"on
Mehta (2000) suggested to create National Poultry Development Board
(NPDB) for improvement in poultry sector like NDDB (National Dairy Development
Board).
National Committee in Human Nutrition (2002), reported that the eggs
and broilers meat requirement will be 180 billion and 9.1 billion kg by the end of
2010 A.D. The need must be met by our own goods.
Anuradha Desai (2001) suggested that the Indian poultry industry
generates employment for 2-million people and an increase in per capita
consumption of just one egg will increase employment opportunities for 26,000
people. An increase in 50 gms consumption of poultry meat will. do the same.
In China 76% of egg production is contributed by the rural farmers and
24% from I,Jrban side~ but in India, 75% pr99YQtio(l came from .Urban farms. So
there is a need to improve rural development in poultry production.
, . '

In developed countries the poultry ihdustry gets a financial support of 4

to 5 % interest rate with plenty of power supply, but in India it is 14% to 16%
Interest rate and the"power in scarcely available.
Kurien suggested that we are not against globalizqtion and not opposed
to competition. We have our production capabilities and productivity are ~econd
to none. In these low bio-security measures a) so we are getting 300 plus eggs
per year and 2 kg of broiler meat in 6 week~, So the competition should be fair
and healthy.
, ! '

I The growth of 3% and, 10% growth in. layer and broiler market give a
. harmonized future for India. \ .
\
\

... "If the devel?ped countries industry is more efficient"

... "If their cost of production, in real term is lower"
\ \ .

I
... "If they can compete without any subsidies"
\

thenqy all means;let them export and JJ~ will not p~otest ang we in tUrn export
·to·their·countries·.
I
I
I

138
References
Desai,A (2001 ).WTO a threat. VHL Silver Jubilee Celebrations meeting. Poultry
fortune. Jun-Jul.pp.14-16.
EIC, (2002), Mandatory Quality Certification and Inspection for poultry products
export, Export Inspection council of India gazette, Jan 2002.
ENS Economic Bureau. (2001). WTO may wipe our locals, but Industries fingers
are crossed. Indian Eypress. (Mumbai) Jan. 2001.
Mehta, R (2000) . Removal of Quantitative Restrictions and its Impact on Indian
Industries. Eco/'omic and political weekly VoJ.XXV. No.19, May 2000.
NECC (2002) India.n Egg Industry Market Report (2002), National Egg Co-
. ordination committee Report, Nov.2002
Selvakumar, K.N.,Prabakaran,R and Prabhu.M (2000). Commerce and
agreement on customs dutj. Kaalnadai Kathir, 20(3) 10-13.
I

Shamugam, V. (2001). Growth in Indian .Poultry Sector will accelerate in 2001.

Poultry Times of India, 12(4) 1-7.
Singh, S.S: (1998). Import of chicken from US. Poultry punch 8(i} 86-88.
Singh, RP. (200.2). Importancl3 of value added poultry products. Poultry Planner,
3(7) 7-9.
Sunderlal, K. (2000). India gets the first taste of US chicken. Poultry Times of
India. Apl-Jun pp.18-21.

1.39
 DYNAMIC CHANGES IN VETERINARY CURICULUM IN THE
. fS'CENARIO'dF'FREE: GLbBAL TRADING OF LIVESTOCK
PRODUCTS
,'.
.. ·V. VIVEKANANDAN, IRS
It: .
DC - I~come Tax, Dept. of Income Tax
;; ..' Pondicherry
As ,p~r the VvTO protocols, free global trading in livestock prdoucts comes
into play. r¥1ultinatfonal companies are, going to invade Indian market for livestock
products' trading. This wili throw up serious challenjes to the domestic concerns
and the cooperative set 'up in 'India. How are we going to face the competition
thrown up by the MNC's with their huge capital base and improved technology?
But at the sam~ time, it is an opportunity for Indian players to capture global
market for trading .ir;'l Iivesto,ck product. Due to the change in IPR regi~e,
availability of certain livestock medicines, genetic products etc at affordable
price will be tJifficult... . ' ' \
In I:he ba~kdrop of the above challenges, there is an urgent need to change
the veterinary curriculum accordingly. In the Iviestock marketing course, details
regar9ing WTO agreements, IPR regine and their impact onglobal trading of
livestock products h:ave to be included. So far, we have not bothered about
global competiticm in the trading of livestock products in domestic markets as
there was n6 'necessity. Aslo we have not seriously invested in the R&D of
pharmaceuticals as 'life saving drugs are available at affordable price.But with
the challenges thrown up , by MNC's and change in IPRI rules, our mind set has
to change. Inclusion of these portions in syllabus will help us to change ow
mind set. Selected marketing in the products in which India has traditional"-
__ advantage may be stressed. Collaboration in the form of Joint ventures with the
MNC's and their merits and demerits may be taught to the veterinary students.
, In Genetics, preservation of disease resistanceNarieti~s and establishment of
genetic banks for indigenous breeds are important. In PharmaCOlogy, R&D for'
developing superiod life saving dr;ugs, merits of alternate medicinal systems
and extraction of active principles from ,indigenous drugs are important. More
stress should be given to hygiene, sanitation
\
and quality in LPM and LPT. ISO
standards, TQM and live stock accounting should also be dealt in detail. Syllabus
has to be dynamic in par with the chanQes in the global scenario.

I ,

140
 IPR AND VETERINARY SECTOR
SUBHENDU CHAKRABARTI
Central Leather Research Institute,
Adyar, Chennai - 600 020

India has been a very rich source of animal wealth. Animal rearing has
traditionally beep an integral part of Indian economy. Animal husbandry sector
~? estimated to contribute about Rs. 500 crores per day to the National GOP.
warious industries are closely integrated to this sectoL Thus animal health care,
li'n-depth study on outbreak of newer pathogens as well as epidemics are of
fparamount interest for the welfare of the human civilization itself. The
development of knowledge base in genetics has been an impetus towards
~eveloping newer economical race of animals. Food safety is another area of
inuch concern. Veterinary science has thus been playing a key role in all these
~reas, which have major impact on the global trade and commerce.
With the onset of the new millennium, there has globally been a paradigm
'Shift in the socio-economic concept. The focus has shifted, with the emergence
bf the World Trade Orgar'lzation (WTO), more towards capitalizing intangible
~ssets ..In the wake of the recent trend of emergence of knowledge based society
~hroughout the globe, while our strength is likely to lie in our acquired knowledge,
pur ec.onomy is emerging-as 'a knowledge based one and the global competitors
:~ave to play in the knowledge market. In other wQrds, knowledge has been
~igentified as the most valuable property to be leveraged for creating wealth in
J~is new era. Spefcifically, the usable knowledge has the potential to create wealth.
:~!~us the conventional practice of merely handling information in a routine manner
~~as started giving way to using knowledge continuously at every stage of
.:9peration.
Consequent to the inclusion of IPR ( Intellectual Property Right) in the
GAIT ( General Agreement on Trade and Tariff) in the form of TRIPS ( Trade
~elated aspect~ of Intellectual Property Rights), it cannot be overemphasized
that it is the protectable knowledge, that has the potential to create wealth.
With a total change in the socio-economic outlook under the emerging scenario,
Intellectual Property Rights, commonly known as IPR, has perhaps been
~ttracting maximum attention of the people throughout the world.
!ntellectuatproperty
. .....1
and IPR
The outcome of one's intellect or creative thinking, in the form of invention,
creative design, literary or artistic creations etc. forms valuable intangible asset,
known as intellectual
. .
property, which, if properly managed,' can create wealth.

141
Intellectual property (IP) has thus become recognized as a valuable asset of
enormous importance in the WTO ( World Trade Organization) regime. The
intangible nature of the IP makes the protection management of the property
more crucial because as soon as any intangible output comes out of the mind
of the creator, it belongs to everybody in the public.
Legal protection of the IP in different countries depends on the legislations
prevailing in the respective countries conferring IP right. Provisions provided
under TRIPS regime include Patent, design registration, trademark, trade secret,
copyright and related rights, geographical indication, integrated circuit, Plant
breeders Right. While a new invention is protected by Patent, any IP can be
protected by different forms of protection including Patent, design, copyright
etc. depending upon the kind of knowledge base generated and the
corresponding provisions available in different countries for protecting the same.
For example, while a software can be protected by patent in the USA, only
copyright protection is possible for the same in most of the other countries
including India. Patent is however considered to be the most impo.rtant form of
protection of intell~ctual property for any new scientific as well as technological
developments. "'-
Patent
I

It is essentially an exclusive right granted by the State to the inventor for

excluding others to exploit his invention on commercial basis for a certain period_
of time,within the jurisdiction of the granter country. In return, the inventor is
required to disclose his inventiqn fully. The specification in respect of a Patent is -
essentially a documentation of the invention providing its nature as well as manner
in/which it has to be worked. It i~ a very systematic document 'which gives an
overview of the evolution of knowledge in a particular area. It is essentially a
techno-legal document and hen6e utmost care has to be taken while drafting
the same to en~ure proper legal pr~tection.
Any invention has to satisfy the, following requirements for being qualified
for Patent protection. '
a) Novelty \ \
b) Non-obviousness which implies that the invention under consideration
should not occur automatically in th~e mind of anybody reasonably skilled
i~ the art. Being at times subjective/r~ nature, this is in fact a very difficulh~
parameter. '
c) Industrial
;
u::i1ity.I , I

d) It should nc t belong to the non-p*entable criteria under th,e ACT of the

r~pective (:ountries. . "

142
 Patents are usually granted 011 first to file basis. Any public disclosure in
the form of publication even by the inventor himself jeopardizes the patentability
of an invention. The USPTO ( United States Patent and Trademark Office).
however, follows first to invent system while granting patent. This system
necessitates maintaining of proper record book for authenticating the evolutionary
track-record for the purpose of substantiating the patentability of an invention
even in the court of Law if required. This work record is a very essential document
for settling legal dispute while deciding the date of development of technology
and the team members involved therein.
Since the legal right granted by a patent is territory specific, it is necessary
to file applications in all the countries, where the protection of the invention is
desired. The introduction of peT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) system streamlined
the international filing system, whereby a single application can be filed for
.seeking patent protection in multiple designated countries. However, the
application has to go to the national phase of the respective coumries for getting
the grant, because while peT is only a simplified filing system, it cannot grant
patent. Since India has joined the peT, it is possible to file a single application
designating as many countries as are PCT members for getting patent protection
in all those countries, thereby availing certain advantages.
Since Patent is an intellectual property, no organization can become an
inventor, who has necessarily to bE:} human being. However, employees of,an
,organization assign the right to their organization, which can apply for patent to
'different countries, wherever the patent protection is sought. It is always advisable
to protect an invention as soon as it is generated for future benefit of buildirig
stronger patent portfolio for commercialization and / or recognition by publication.
Term of Patent
I
Although'this period may vary from countrY to country, under TRIPS
regime, it is uniformly 20 years. In India, the term for the patents falling under
drug/pharmaceutical category used to be 5 years from the date of grant or 7
years from the date of filing, whichever is less. For all other categories, term for
Indian patent used to be 14 years from the date of filing. After the notification of
the amendment of the Indian patent ACT on the 20th May, 2003, the term 'for all
patents in India has uniformly become 20 years.'
Moreover, It is necessary, as p~r the Patent' Act existing in different
countries, to remit the renewal fees regularly during the term of the patent to
keep the patent in force.
Benefits of Patent .
Multidimensional benefits are provided by patents', -An estimated 70-
80% of the inventions protected by patents are not available in any other

143
 conventional form of publication. Moreover, patents grant the exclusive right to
the owner of an invention only during the term of the patent. The invention
becomes freely available public property as soon as the patent ceases to be in
force either due to non-payment of renewal fee or due to the expiry of the term.
A researcher, who uses patent as a part of his literature survey prior to
research can always be in a better position to assess the knowledge gap which
requires attention of further research. The available documents may at times be
potential source of solution for different problems encountered in an on-going
research, thereby avoiding duplication of research resulting in judicious use of
resources. Moreover, patents also help in identifying expertise or capabilities in
a particular field, thereby enabling industries not only in effective technology
sourcing, but also in edging in a competitive environment. In fact, patents are of
immense benefit not only to researchers and industry, but also to consultants,
business enterprises and patent agents.
Patent - other implications
Grant of.a patentdoes not guarantee any superiority or commercial viability
of the invention. In fact, any patent may be revoked, if necessary, at any point of
time during its term. The US Turmeric patent is a glaring example in this regard.
Although the patent was granted in the USA, CSIR (Council of Scientific and
Industrial ResE~arch) initiated actions to collect the documentary evidences' in
support of the prior use of the information in this country. Evidences were
produced in the US,~atent and Trademark Ofiice ;3nd theraterit was revoked.
CSIR led the battle of India in reversing patent rights granted by the USPTO.
This historic landmark eyent has gained for India a new self esteem and respect
among other developing ,countries. '.
Patent has got a very close relationship, with commerci'alization. As
Thomas Edison put it, ' AnYthing that won't'sell, I don't want to invent. It's sale is
,. proof of utility and utility is sLJ\ccess.' Commercialisation of patent may depend
on several parameters like market demand, scale ofdevelopment of technology,
commercial feasibility. Filing df patent in respect of an invention constitutes a.
very cruciaLdecision, wherein the perceived importance of an invention is to be'
assessed in terms of licensing potential, marketability, collaborative avenues
etc. This however does not imply that all th~ patents are commercialized. In fact
the global average of commercialization of patents is estimated to be around
5%. This is becaus~ of the fact that patents, perse , may not be able to prqvide
a technology for\ commercial application, which requires optimization while
scaling up. SOrTleti~es patents relate to. the technologies which are fu~uristic in
nat~re. The absorption of the generated t~chnologies also depends on the nature
I
 of the industry and its technology life cycle. Patents are however found quite
often to result in cross licensing, thereby facilitating business promotion activities.
Ac;;cess to Patent Information
Patent is the most important storehouse of knowledge base, which may
not be available in any other form. This is why patent search is a very important
step for getting developments in a particular field. Different options available for
patent search include Gazettes, periodicals, CD-ROM etc.
There has been a practice among most of the patent offices to publish
pre-grant patent applications for the benefit of further R&D. Even the USPTO
which used to publish patents only after grant, has also switched over to this
practice since March2001. Usually the information on patents pertaining to a
particular country is available in Gazettes published by the respective patent
offices. Information on Indian Patents is available in the Gazette of India, Part
III, Section2, published every Saturday.
Accessing the databases has become much easier with the advent of
internet. Different National patent offices provide the information on the internet.
It is even possible to download the full text of a relevant document. Indian patent
database is however yet to be made available on line by.the Indian Patent
office. Efforts are of course underway to ensure better accessibility of ~he
information. INPAT, a database of Indian patents, was created by CSIR. Patent
;Facilitating Centre (PFC) of the Technology Information, Forecasting and
/ Assessment Council (TIFAC) has created Ekaswa - A and Ekaswa - B, 'two
.' ~ser friendly databases of Indian patents. While. Ekaswa - A provides information
on the Patent applications filed in India as published in Gazette of India, Part III,
Section2 from 1995 onwards, Ekaswa - B is a database for the accepted patent
applications notified in the Gazette from 1995 onwards. The databases can be
accessed on line or by subscribing CD-ROM. ' .
"

It is worth mentioning in this regard that there are certain organizati(;ms

which provide value added service for a'ppropriate patent search. '"
Since there are enormous number of patent documents available,
~ppropriate search strategy is to be evolved. While a search carried out before
conceiving a research project helps in proper formulation of a useful project, and \
, that during an ongoing project facilitates getting ready solution to a problem, the
• search done after completion of a project helps in taking decision on filing patent
as well as in keeping track on possible infringements as well as the latest
developments in a field.
Without going into details on all the different IP prolection provisions, a
.bJiefoverview afthe three other conventional types of IP protection is indicated
below.

-
 Copyright
This relates to the rights pertaining to literary/artistic/dramatic works. It
has a key'role to play in the world of communication. Copyright is Usually
proprietory in nature. Registration provides a sound evidence of the Right of the
author over the creation. The right provides the provision for the protection of
the expression of an idea but not the idea as such. As per the provisions of the
Indian Copyright Act, computers softwares are considered as literary work and
are protectable by Copyright.
Design registration
This protects the outward feature of shape, configuration, ornaments,
capable of being judged by naked eyes, applied to any article by any industrial
process or means. Registration is possible as per the classifcation of the goods,
as stipulated by the National law. Thus, while a new device may qualify for
patent protection, the sh~pe of the same can be protected by design registration.
Trade Mark
It acts as a link between the manufacturer and customer. The striking
feature is that prior use oHhe mark provides, unlike patent, a beneficial edge to
establish the ownership. Thus although the registration of the mark is not
essential, it always provides a distinct advantage. The practice of using trade
, mark for adequate pUblicity in the present scenario of competitive market, is
already in vogue. The , emerging concept extends the right even to service marks.
IP in Veterinary Sector
: The veterinary sector is generally concenied with the developments
relating tO~'animal I]ealth care system, treatment m'ethods, improved devices,
drugs! medications, pathological testings, animal genetics, microbiological interfaces
etc. The developmental wo~s concern with wide ranging factors like identification of
/ new resource or tools for faster curing, accuracy, toxicity, cost effectiveness.
. \ .
Patent seems to be a,very familiar term for the veterinary sector. The
end of the nineteenth century witnessed the widespread use of the generic term
'Patent medicine' for all kinds of remedial aids like powder, tonics etc. Thus Dr.
Clayton's tonic and stimul~nt for\~ogs, M.ontague's Poultry powder were in wid~
USia among the farmers. The comm',?n notion was that the composition of the
respective products was patented ~l1d hence a secret. The reality on the co'htrary
was thatthere was little medicinal benefit in most bfthe cases. As Dr. Smith put
, :-=-it, 1'':-a-lot-01- patent medicine-people lived off the fear~:of"the farmer about his=
animals, ...................... And very, fe~ 'doptors', as advertised on the pr9duct
labels, had traditional veterinary medical training."
I - I

I 146
 1 Patent in modern parlance, as already discussed, is entirely different. It
provides full disclosure of the invention. While treatment methods may not be
patentable as per the ACT, new drugs or devices certainly qualify for patent
protection. Biotechnological inventions are likely to be one of the major outputs
emerging from the sector. These inventions require deposition of the micro-
organism in a recognised depository. IMTECPi (Institute of Microbial
Technology),Chandigarh has been identified as internationally recogni~ed.
depository institute. 'it is certainly an advantage for the Indian inventors for
biotechnological inventions. ,
In addition to the patent protections as stated above, any new computer
software, developedforthe purpose of accuracy or automation in the veterinary
sector may be protected by copyright. This may also be applied for patent
protection "in countries like the USA, which provide appropriate legal provision
In this·re,gard. Moreover, besides ~onvention~1 books and publications, any tool
for teaching or dissemination of information like CD may be protected 'under
this mechanism. In the emerging competitive world, it may be necessary to
protect the shape of any veterinary tool/device and it may 'appropriately be done
by design -registration. .
_', ., .I

Trtlditional Knpwle:dge

.
.'1 Whilejhe'~gen'eration of the knowledge is based largely on the activities
I •

relating to fese(irch & develC;:>P'l1ent, a substantial amount of golden information

!~ -$v~ilabl~' :in. ~he traditional trea~ure of this country. Unfortunately, the rich
~raditional information, which.w~ have inberited from our ancestors, sometimes
'g_et. unnoticed arid~~~en ignored. It is hightime-ttlat appropriate mining is done
to ~ccess tbe treasure,. At times, the inform~tion may lack scientific back up.
Sut systematic inve$tigation of this base is likely to build up huge castle of
knowledge.lt is however necessary to ensure that it is not misused and the
original owners are rewarded appropriately. Several attempts are already
underway in this direction by different organizations including WIPO (World
I~tellectual Property Organization).
Global Veterinary Patents
It is high time that the innovations emerging from the sector are capitalized
effec::tively in appropriate mannerto ensure sustained growth. The best possible
option is to explore the possibilities ,of using the vast knowledge base contained
in patent
It is possible to carry out search for the patents based on the International
~Patent Classification ( IPC). As per IPC7, Section A refers to human necessities.
While th~ class A61 refers to Medical or Veterinary Science; Hygiene, A 61 D
147
 pertains to Veterinary Instruments, Implements, Tools, or Methods. A sample
search carried out in the European Patent database for the patents filed globally
during the year 2000 using IPC A61 D1 has returned 63 documents. All major
countries including the USA, Japan, Austria, China, Korea etc have been found
, to figure in the list. It is possible to download in most of the cases the full document
in respect of the inventions. It may however be required to take the help of
equivalent documents at times to get the benefit of language. A systematic
analysis of the documents can reveal the trend of researches going on in the
relevant areas in different countries.
Conclusion
With the emergence ·of the knowledge based society, it has become a
necessity to inculcate a healthy IP culture to enable the society to reap the
maximum benefit. The academic environments in the present era has to consider
that the protectabHity of any new knowledge base is not jeopardized at any
cost, to ensure potential benefits in the long run. It essentially necessitates
launchin"g vibrant IP sensitization by incorporating the subject in the educational
system itself to ensure facilitating a knowledge network among Academia/
University, Industry and R&D Institutions for the overall socio-economic benefit
in terms of generation, development and appropriate use of knowledge base.

\
\,
\.
\

1.48
 SESS][ON - TIV
CPCSEA - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation -
3R's concept -Veterinary Education and Research
'I'
 THE INSTITUTION OF CPCSEA AND THE NEED FOR
ALTERNATIVES IN ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION -

JAGANNADHAM CHALLA
Principal ,Scientist (Edn. Tech.), National Academy of Agricultural Research Management,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030
Initiation of CPCSEA
With the enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, a
legal instrument was established in the country for care and use of animals and
to provide strict guidelines and penaltie$ with regard to many aspects of animal
welfare such breeding, housing, transportation, experimentation, stocking etc.
Although the ACT, 1960 provided clauses on the a,nimal experimentation issues
but the actual operation came into being with the notification of the Government
of India on February 23, 1996 under section 15 of the Act. After a_ series of
meetings of the Committee for the Purpose of Control' and Supervision of
Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), the Gazette Notification of the Breeding of
and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Rules 1998 was made
on December 15, 1998.
The Legal Instruments
The original Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 had five chapters
in w~ich the Chapter IV covered the Experimentation of Animals. However, many
clau,ses and provisions of the original Act have been -revised and amended from
time to time. These are 1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals
Rules 1965, 2. The Prevention of Cruelty -to Animals (Licensing of Farriers)
Rules, 1965, 3. Performing Animal Rules, 1973, 3. Transport of Animals Rules,
1978, 4. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Application of Fines) Rules,
1978, 5. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of cattle premises)
Rules 1978, 6. The Prevention of Cruelty (Capture of Anima/s) Rules 1972.
More or less all these Rules have some relevance to experiments on animals.
According to the Breeding of Experiments on Animals (Control and
Supervision) Rules 1998 an experiment is defined as " any programme/project " ,
Involving use of an animal! animals for the acquisition of knowledge of a biological,
psychological, ethological. Physical or chemical nature; and includes the use of
animals in production of reagents and products such as antigens and antibodies,
routine diagnostics, testing activity and establishment of transgenic stocks, for
-the purpose of saving or prolonging life or alleviating suffering or for combating
any disease whether on human beings or animals". Further the Rules (1998)

149
 also define provisions such as Contract Research and Collaborative Research
which are certainly are very important for universities and research institutions
to take note of. .
Contract Research means "any research undertaken by. an individual ,
company, firm, corporation or institution on behalf of a foreign individual
II ' ,

company, firm, corporation or institution for any consideration". Collaborative'

Research means "any research undertaken between two or more research
institutions on an equal footing which does not involve any financial or monetary
consideration and is undertaken solely for the purpose of advancement of
scientific research and human welfare". The. CPCSEA Guidelines permit
Collaborative Research but not Contract Research unless prior permission is
obtained.
Regarding breeqing 9f animals the rule is very clear that no establishment
shall carry on. the business of breeding of animals or trade of animals for the
purpose of experiments unless it is registered. It further says that every breederl
establishr:nent carrying on the business of breeding animals. or trade of animals
for the purpose of experiments, shall apply for registration within sixty days from
the date of commencement of these rules and stop breeding of animals if
registration of these rules and stop breeding of animals if registrat"ion is
. subsequently refused to by the committee. One of the most elaborate and well
documented Rules, is on the stocking of animals for experiments.
The animals s'tocked by the breeder and the establjshment in the following
manner:
'& "animal hpuses ~hall be located in a quiet atmosphere undisturbed by
traffic, and the premises kept tidily, hygienic and the animals protected
from ·drought and extremes of weather' . .
" a "animal cages for small animals and stables for large animals shall be
such that animals cJn\ live in comfort and overcrowding is avoided"
'& «Wpere standards have peen laid down by the Indian Standards Institution,
the cages, the stables, as the case may be, shall conform to these
standards"
a "animals attendants must be suitably trained and experienced in the duites
allotted to them" . \ \ .
I a "animals shall be looked after, before and after the expertmehts by 8
1 trained and experienced attenqant" _
I '
a 'fhere shall be satisfactory arrang~ment for looking after the animals purfn?J
off hours land on holidays" I .

150
Performance of Experiments
In performing experiments the Rules are very elaborate which need to be
thoroughly understood by all the scientists and students involved in animal
experimentation .. There are 14 Rules laid under the clause of Performance of
Experiments in the Gazette Notification No: 809, dated December 15, 1998.
Some of these are reproduced for benefit of the readers.
1. Experiments shall be performed in every case by or under the supervision
of of a person duly,qualified in that behalf, i.e., Degree or Diploma in
Veterinary Sciences or Medicine orPG and above in Life Sciences/
Pharmaceutical Sciences or any other natural sciences, Degree or
Diploma holders in Phramacy, Diploma or Certificate in l,.aboratory Animal
Techniques/Sciences from recognized institutions as identified by the
,CPCSEA. .
2. Experiments shall be performed with due care and humanity
3. Animals intended for the performance of experiments are properly looked
both before and after the experimentation
4. Experiments involving operative procedures shall be performed under
influence of anaesthetic to prevent pain and the anaesthesia shall be
~ administered by a Veterinary Surgeon who shall be present near the
animal till the completion of the experiment
5. When there is reason to believe that an animal is suffering from abnormal
or severe .pain at any stage of the e'Speriment shall be destroyed
painlessly at that stage without proceeding further with the experiment
6. The experiments shall not be performed for the purpose of attaining or
retaining manual'skill except in schools, colleges and programmes duly
scrutinized and permitted in registered establishments by the CPCSEA
7. Experiments shall not be performed by way of an illustration or a public
demonstration
8. No experiment the result of which is already conclusively known, shall
be repeated without previous Justification
9. 'Where the experiments are. performed in any institution, the responsibility
therefore is placed on the person in charge of the institution and in ,case
where experiments are performed outside an institution by an individual
qualified in that ,behalf, the experiments are performed on his/her
. responsibility.

151
I-
152
 . CPCSEA. A specialist may be co-opted while reviewing special projects using
hazardous substances such as radioactive substances and deadly micro
organisms. As per the guidelines given by the CPCSEA that a minimum of on43
~ month notice must be given to IAEC Members to allow reasonable time for all
~.
, the members· to. go through the papers and make their comments and
suggestions/recommendations aUhe meeting. The frequency of the meetings
depend on the need but it is better to have a routine system of once in three
months. The meetings have to be conducted regularly and ensure that all the
members are present as far possible. Usually the Head of the institut.ion is the
Chairperson of the IAEC whereas in some instances the social member of the
Committee has been made the Chairperson. The CPCSEA Nominee on the
IAEC assumes special responsibility and is concerned primarily with the wellbeing
and welfare of animals housed or kept for experiments/breeding. The CPCSEA
Nominee also has to uphold the dignity of the CPCSEA.
It is· important to clear the assumption that CPCSEA nominee has "veto
powers." to refuse or to clear an experiment or a project involving animals. No
such thing has been mentioned in any of the guidelines of the CPCSEA. The
CPCSEA No'minee is perhaps the best link for the institution with the CPCSEA
and his/her primary r~sponsibility is that all the: rules laid down are followed
strictly. It is essential that all the members of the IAEC go through the protocol
of the-experiment! proposals and if required consult experts such as Statisticians
and o,ther relevant experts. The IAEC has the responsibility to scrutini~e and
clear experiments involving guinea pigs, 'rabbits" rats, mice, hamsters and
invertebrate animalS. For all other animals permi$sion shall be granted by a sub
committee·of the CPCSEA .. However such propo~als have to be first approved
by the IAEC. '
There is an important clause with regard to IAEC and the' CPCSEA Nominee
which is that if there is a disagreement expressed by the Nominee on a certain
experiment or proposal, it is then submitted to the CPCSEA sub committee for
a decision. Such a decision communicated by the CPCSEA shall be final. The
most important respo,nsibility for the Nominee is to make surprise visits to the
animal. houses a~d places of experimentation at any time including holidays to
en,sure the well being of the animals.
The experiments/proposals have to be submitted in Form B of the CPCSEA
guidelines, for the scru,tiny of the IAEC. Form C is meant for record of animals
bred/acquired. The Form A is meant for the establishment/institution to be
.r~gist~r~9 ~witD. th,e QPCSI;A. Form D is 'for record of animals acquired and
. -expe~ments perfoimed (to~be maintained- by-the -investigatOrS r '- -=-~ _.:

153
..
From the experience of the author as a Nominee of the CPCSEA, it is
suggested that all the proposals that are put forward to the IAEC may first be
examined by all the members of the IAEC before these are submitted to the
Nominee. The members may record their Gomments and suggestions on the
proposal. This leads to a collective responsibility and involvement of the
establishment !institute in the well being and welfare of the animals under the
care and use for experiments. It should not be considered in the IAEC meeting
that.it is Nominee versus the rest of IAEC. The Nominee should also be such a
perSon having sufficient knowledge and experience about research experiments
and the development of science. It is also necessary that sometimes that the
Principal Investigator of the experiment I proposa'i is invited to make a
presentation in the IAEC meeting which allows clarification on several issues
and also has fairness and transparency in the way the IAEC. functions.
One of the recent decisions taken by the CPCSEA is that if any member of the
IAEC or the Investigator of a proposal has serious objections to the majority
decision of the IAEC", he/she may appeal to the CPCSEA along with the project
proposal stating clearly the reasons for disagreement along with the decision at
the IA~C. The CPCSEA then takes the comments of the Chairperson of the
I';EC conG~rned and if toe chairperson disagre.es with the ~~asons given in the
appeal, it is then referred to the sub-committee of the CPCSEA.
~ . ,
3R Principles in .Animal Experimentation' .
One of the important aspects for the IAEC to consioer is to follow 3-R
principle while scrutinizing the experiments Iproposals. It simply means "Reduce,
Replace and Refine". The establishments registered for animal experimentation
have the responsibility for upholding the principles of3R. Nowadays the acc~nt
is on for finding alternatives to animal experimentation. CPCSEA is actively
pursuing the concept and has appointeq a sub committee comprising of
representatives from DBT, CSIR, ICMR, ICAR, VCI, Drug Controller of IDdia
, and some members of CPCSEA to look into introducing validated alternatives
to ~nimal experimentation in Ihdia. .
The concept of alternatives. to animal experimentation was first mooted in
the Symposium on Humane Techniques ,i'n the Laboratory in 1957 held under
the aegis of the Universities federation for A~imal Welfare (UFAW, 1957) wherein
red~ction, refinement and replaceme~t as a means of removing inhumanity
from:animal experimentation was firs\discusses in depth. Subsequently, a book
on "Principles of tJumane Experimentation" (Russell and Burch, 1959)was first
publjshed!.. tl.is py j:)nq large gppliG~b.IE;/t9 ~IJ ~nim~t ~~p~Lirl}eDt~G(;m..9_UQ.~~d fp_f.
the benefit
I
of human welfare.. There. are\ any number of cases and instances
~ .

.154 "
 chronicled where the animal experimentation proved to be unnecessary. However
in the case of use of animals for experimentation for the benefit of animals
needs to be discussed with a different perspective. Veterinary and animal
sciences experimentation can certainly consider the principle of reduction in the
number of animals used and also refine -the entire technique so that animals
are not subjected to unnecessary pain and cruelty. The first consideration would '
be whether the experiment is needed at all in the first place for the kind of
objectives that are set by the investigator.
The 3Rs should serve as a unifying concept, a challenge and an opportunity
for reaping bE;3nefits of every kind-scientific, economic and humanitarian. The
3Rs declarartion was adopted by the 3rd World Congress on Alternatives and .
Animal Use in the Life Sciences at Bologna, in August, 1999. The sentiment is
that "the greatest scientific achievements have, always been the most humane
and most aes.thetically attractive, conveying that sense of beauty and elegance
which is the' essence of 'science at its most successful" (Russell and Burch,
1959).
In the light recent awakening in the area of animal experimentation and
laws governing the use and care of animals it is an opportune moment for all
the colleges of veterinary and animal sciences and research institutes to
undertake some of the following suggestions to fulfill the need as per 'the
institutional requirements of the government and public at large.
~ Set up departments or units to explore alternative systems to animal,
experimel)talion as mandatory ",,/
a Develop training programmes for research on alternatives
a Set up scholarships for conducting research in alternatives
a Set up a library section with published literature
a Seriou~ly consider and phase out animal experiments when alternatives
:
'" have succeeded
a Stop all experiments that are repetitive in nature and ~hose that are of
academic interest
a- Scrutinize all animal experiment projects thoroughly with the 3Rs principles
in mind '
"'cs. Scrutinize the projects with reference to the objectives that are set out,
the number of animals that are to be used arid the expected outcomes
~i Prep~re guidelines for general circulation regarding the IAEC requirements
from the Investigators (regarding form B) ,
155
 a Include the topic of Breeding of and Experimentations on Animals (Control
and, Supervision) Rules, 199$ as a topic for all disciplines PG courses.in
VeterinarY and Animal Scienoes
a Animal Welfare and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as topic, if already
included in UG curriculum, it may be updated with the latest information
provided by the amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,
1960. .
Conclusion
It is indeed the need of the hour in the 2151 Century to introspect about the
way we carry out research on an'lI1.,a~s ana 'm'troauce eauca'ilon ana 'traInIng
programmes for humane experimentation on animals. Finally a few sentiments
from the author-animals are DDt four legged test tubes, ours is an animal planet,
animals are a delight to our childre(l and the least we can do is to treat these
great animals with dignity-an honour them with love, care and affection.
Congratulations and great wishes to the Madras Veterinary College,
Chennai for 'celebrating the first Centenary of its foundation and hearty
greetings to all ,the staff and students of the college on this wonderful
occasion.

156 /
 THE RELEVANCE OF 3 R'S IN'THE PRESENT DAY
, BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
A.JAGANNADHA RAO,
Department of Biochemistry,
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore - 560012

Although the ideal situation is one where in every living organism on the
surface of the earth lives happily i.e 'Live and let live happily' we are far from this
in several respects. From times immemorial human being had association with
animals for his survival, whether by use of cattle for agriculture or other animals
such as horses and camels for transport etc. The earliest case where an animal
was used for a test, perhaps, where kings or noblemen tested the food before
. they ate for presence of poisons, which they suspected was mixed by their
enemies. Animals were fed first and if they survived the King would eat it. Much
to our dislike in the modern world, we have been forced to use in animals as
experimental models in a variety of biomedical studies intended to improve the
health of the mankind. To quote, late Prof V. Ramalingaswamy, 'Discovery of a
new phenomeno!) in th~ l~bor~tolY, its conversion in to useable prodl:lct" its
testing for safety and efficacy in a suitable animal model and finally studying the
effect of the product in humans from the point of safety benefit and costs are
well known steps in the Voyage of Scientific discovery to the end point of public
health benefit' [1].
Over the years the use of animals in biomedic~1 research has been increasing
steaqily anq the animals used include the invertebrates suc~ as paramecium
and the highly evolved non human primates. In this connection, one has to
accept the fact, there is no justification to say that paramecium is inferior and a
monkey is superior. Pain is an abstract thing and there is no way We can judge
how much pain a paramecium will feel. There are people who advocate that all
animal experimentation has to be stopped and it is a fact that the animals are
not intended for use by the "Intelligent Human Being". However, we are far from
dispensing with the use of animals in our biomedical Research. It is in this
context the introduction of the concept of 3 R's becomes very important. These
stand for Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. In my opinion, the
contentious issue is the Replacement. The other two namely Reduction and
Refinement can be e~sily dealt with.
Reduction: One need not emphasize, that the poorly designed and analyzed
experiments lead to a waste of :scientific sources and. one may draw wrong
conClu·sions. Quite often if the 'experiment is not designed properly well in

157
 advance, takin,g jnto consid~ration the age, sex of the animals, doses to be
administered duration of study and the parameters to be studied and most
important the number of animals per group, it will result in repetition of the
experiment, which essentially will result in unproductive use and waste and use
of more animals. Th~ last param~ter, the number of animals per group is based
on the sound scientific principles Le. statistical significance of results expected.
Reduction of animals is based on experimental design and quality of the
experiments. This has been well discussed in the article by Festing [2].
It has been suggested that there are two approaches to find out whether'
the l'J.umber of animals can be reduced. The survey of published papers can be
one source of information for better design of the experiments. Secondly a
critical analysis of related papers will be of great help in designing and
ascertaining relevance of the proposed study.
The second R deals with Refinement, which essentially means humane
treatment [3]. While it is universally accepted that animals (be invertebrates or
vertebrates) should be treated as humanly as possible, this has proved to be
very difficult to achieve. There is no way we can assess what pain is, for an
, organism" sC3yJQr_.example w.ith_par:.aJTl.§ci!Jm~ _Tq P?s!JllJe that it ,does not suffer
, pain is also nqt correct. The definition of pain proposed by the International
A~sociation for th~ study of Pain is 'PCJin iis ~n unpleasant sensory and emotional
experience as,soci,ated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in
terms of such damage'. ~ If is always assumed that procedures which are
distressing to humans WiT! also be distressing to animals. However, there is no
way to assess that eithl3r that procedures which cause distress in human will
cause an equal degree of distress in animals or that procedures which do npt
cause distress in humans
,
will
\
not cause distress in animals. : '
, It has be,en suggested that pain and distress are central to,the question
, ~ 'of Hefinernent of experimenJal techniques. This is because judicious use of
. animals also includes use of animals with minimum pain and distress. in addition
to use of minimum number of\animals. ,Unfortunately, there are no d,efined
criteria to assess pain and distres~ to the anim'als whether it is paramecium or a
monkey. Another complica~ion is the mental pain or agony which an animal
.may suffer and there is no waywe can ass~ss this. For example, it is common
knowledge that it is very sad to see th,e lactating monkey after the baby monkey
is weaned. Thus, we have to accept\that there is unpleasantness, pain. or
distre.ss in all animal
, procedures, whether , it is simple procedure such as blood
~colle_ytion or~ 9 l11RHcateq 0!J~ s~c",b a.S~SY!'Q~ry! Tn~ ai~ 9.f t,h~_ p~Q~~d~ur~.l~ to
0
see t~at there is minimum ~uffering an? if there is a way of assessing pafn, 'one
.
I

158
\
way to reduce, this is to give appropri.ate pain killers or analgesics. However,
even in this, the extent of pain varies between species as assessed in humans
between individuals. Thus the dose of analgesic administered and the processing
and duration of treatment varies between patients after undergoing same surgery.
A case example is the ab'ility to tolerate alcohol is highly variable in individuals.
However, in view of the fact that there is no way to assess it, seems reasonable
to assume that effective pain re.lief can be achieved only by making similar
assessment that two animals experience pain to the same extent. It is not
surprising that the babies and infants have been compared to animals as far as
pain experie'nce is concerned. Animals cannot communicate and one has to'
assess by subjective criteria such as consumption of food and water, ability to
move around and facial expression in the case of higher order' animals such as
non-human primates. A point to be considered in this connection is that some of
the behavioral changes' may be related to surgical stress response and may not
indicate the degree of pain which the animal is experiencing.
In spite of these difficulties and subjective criteria, pain scoring has been
used in a number of investigations in Veterinary Clinical practice involving
compartioti animals. However, it is necessary to validate the scoring system for
individual procedures'. It is also to be noted thaUher:e are, no ~Pp!QP_~.a~~ .9Q!lJrgts
in this scoring since one has to inject an analgesic to a normal animal or
alternatively' compare the injected and operated animal with operated animals.
not treated with analgesic which is unethical. Further more, the subjective scoring
also varies between individuals; the example, being variation in visual analog
scale by self report"ofJ pain by a child, parent rating and nurse ratings. This
highlights the importance of careful and thorough validation of pain scoring
systems something which has yet to be achieved in studies of clinical pain in
animals.
Another point to be considered along with scoring of pain is pain alleviation;
just as in the case of pain scoring, there is· no definite way to assess pain
alleviation. Central to' this, once again is the assumption that all surgical
procedures on animals wil.l involve pain and accordingly need analgesics at
least for24 to 4.8 hours just as inJhe case. of humans. Suggested methods are
administration of analgesics by infusion or providing drinking water containing
analgesics. In this c.onnection it is interesting to note that several institute in
USA have advocated use of Buprenorphine Jell-O-f1avoured gelatin preparation
containing an opoidanalgesic buprenorphine and it has been reported that rats'
eat this readily. This compound like several other opoids undergoes significant
hepatic· clearance· when administered.orally and: so, Q.fIly_aRp'roxi'!latel~ 5-10%
of th~ administered dose will be avaiiable. This has been found to be very

,159
useful for rqts after laparatomy. However, opoids have several other metabolic'
effects in addition to analgesic action, which may interfere with the experiment.
To over come "this, non-opoid analgesics are being tried. Finally, it is to bel
noted that Refinement of rese'arch is an ongoing process which requires an in
put from all those involved in the'use of experimental animals for research.
Replacement can be defined as "any scientific method employing non-
sentient material which may in the history of animal experimentation replace
methods by which use conscious living vertebrates" [4). The propon~nts of
repia~enient distinguished between relative replacement in which animals would
still be required but would not be exposed to any distress in the actual experirT)enf
and absolute replacement in which animals would not be required at any stage
at all.
A\\ema\\'I1es \0 an\ma\ exper\men\s are procedures wn\cn can ccmp\et~y
replace the need for animal experiments, redu,ce the number of animals required
or diminish the amount of pain or distress suffered by the animals in meeting
the needs of man and Qther animals.
One of the clauses mentioned in this connection that experiments stlOuld
"involve animals with the lowest degree of neurophysiological sensitivity ,cause
least'pain suffering, distress or lasting harm". It is very difficult to implement
th~se conditions i(one wereto consider the pain suffered by paramecium or rat.
I

, As indicated by. Balls [4] the available replacement alternatives are:

,1. The improved storage exchange and use of'information about animal
experiments already carried out, so that unnecessary repetition of animal
procedures can be avoided. .
2 The use of physical and chemical technique and of predictions based on
phY~ical an,d chemical 'properties of the molecules.

The use of mathematical, and computer models including a} modeling of

quantitative structure activity of relationships (QSAR) Le. taking advantage
of correlation between molecular structure and biological activity in'the
\

prediction of potential desired and undesired effects of series of related

chemicals; b) molecular modeling and the use of computer 'graphics,
example hi actively designing drugs and other chemicals for specific
purposes; c} modeling of biochel"(lical, physiological, pharmacological,
~oxicological and behavioral systems and processes. '
4. '_ r~~ us_~ ,?~_Io\v~r orga~islT!s .no~t_pro!E!cte,d, ~¥ legi~Ia.!ion c:<?n!r911i!lg_·~~i_mal
experiments including ihverteoratesj51ants ana niicroorgahism example
'-
I . ' -
Limulus in pyrogenicity testing and bacteria genotoxicity testing.
\
16,0I

.'
 5. The use of early developmental stages of vertebrates before they become
protected animals.
6. The use of in vitro methods including sub-cellular fractions short term
maintenance of tissue slices cell suspensions and perfused organs and
tissue culture proper, including human tissue culture. .
7. Human studies including the use of human volunteers post marketing
surveillance and epidemiology ego Skin patch testing in humans.
Problems associated with Replacement
Even from a cursory analysis of the Replacements, it is clear that these
donot offer a total escape from ethical dilemma. For example, several results of
studies are not available and considered by industrial companies to be their
private commercial property. .
MathematicallComp~ter modeling is applicable to only known compounds ,
in which functional groups have been identified and even these compounds'
finally have to be ch~cked under in vivo conditions. Computer simulation may'
be useful in teaching assignments. It should be remembered that ·computer
can handle only known variable and cannot predict accurately the changes that
. a compound undergoes under in vivo conditions. There is no clear demonstration
as to which animals can be used as alternatives.
In vitro toxicity testing
There has'been intense effort to develop alternatives for toxicity studies
for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, pesticides, industry. In vitro testing has also been
suggested for screening of compounds for their potentfal us'e 'as drugs.
If one knows the molecular mechanism of action of a compound one can
use isolated cell system to test action of other similar compounds. For example,
if we know that a compound 'X' activates protei.n kinase C we can use the
system to test related compounds. .
Traditionally tOXicological tests m~asure the effect of a composed on
animals limited exposure to a substance, which includes acute or chronic toxicity.
Toxicokinetic studies trace the absorption, distribution, metabolism and storage
and excretion of chemicals; toxicodynamic studies monitor the changes the
chemical undergoes under in vivo conditions.
-'- IUs not clElar how all this can be achieved by in vitro testing, particularly,
the distribution, absorption and changes a compound undergoes, which can be
assessed only under in vivo conditions.

161
 This can be illustrated considering the kinetics of testosterone clearance
il') the bonnet monkeys administered by different routes. There is no way one
can obtain the required data by in vitro approaches [5]. Perhaps the only in vitro
test which .can be employed to a certain extent is the. in vitro cytotoxicity. Even in
this, the susceptibility of cells varies; while the in· vitro tests are simple and
inexpensive they just cannot replace in vivo tests. They can be used on limited
basis for cells and these results can not help in predicting the effect on living
organisms since the drug/compound is not subjected to complex in vivo
interactions. However, in vitro test can help in reducing the number of animals
to be used.
Another often suggested alternative is the cell culture system. While this
can provide considerable information on the mode of action, it has limitations.
One has to realize that most of tissue culture system uses foetal calf or horse
serum and to obtain this one has to "kill" animals.
Another major problem with in vitro tests is their lack of validation. Although
several new in vitro tests have been developed, validation of these tests has
been difficult. These tests if not validated to 100%, at least must be validated
as much as possible and should provide as much information if not more as in
vivo test.
. The cut off points used to distinguish between the early development
stages of vertebrates atyvhich the animals concerned can be used as alternatives
, and stages at which they'became protected is arbitrarY and unsatisfactory. The
material for tissue culture has also to be obtained from animals and humans. In
the case of animal tissue culture, although the tissue can be obtained when
ever (;lnimals are sacrificed for food, this is not practical because these animals
will not be of specified age or .sex if that is a r~quisite and cannot be obtained
under aseptic conditions. .
I'

The use of tissues of human origin is beset with difficulties including

safety and logistic problems as \well as the need to obtain permission from
bereaved relatives at the time of death or from potential donors.
Research using human material is definitely of importance as there is
growing concern that the results of tiss~es frof!' rats are not applicable to human
particularly for specific in drug/receptqr Interaction. However, reproducibility
and repetition are problems due to problems of availability of appropriate tissues.
Use of human' tissues also poses ethical-problem for which there is no answer.
I I •

Finally it is argued that the use of transgenic, knock out models while
providh~g valuable information, also greatly increased laboratory animal suffering:

""',,-\
'However, one should !realize that these n;-t0dels provided for the first time unique
\ .
162
,
.
opportunity to study, role of genes which other wise cannot be studied. Thus
under the present conditiQns replacement of animals in biomedical research is
going to remain wishful thinking.
To end, I wish to quote "The time for student campaigns, simplistic slogans,
conformation and boycotts should now come to 'an end. We can have all the
changes we want, if, work together and if we are good. enough as, scientists to
produ,ce the relevant and reliable non-animal tests which are needed and if the
regulators are brave enough to look to high quality and meaningful safety
assessments in place of traditional and scientifically dubious toxicity problems
as basis for their decisions.
Acknowledgements
I .wish to acknowledge the contents o(the article "The Three Rs:
Developments in Laboratory Animal Science" [6] in preparing this presentatiori.
References
1. Animal experiments' and biomedical advance, V. Ramalingaswamy,
, Current Science, 75: 344-348, 1998.
I

2. Reduction of animal use: experimental design and quality of experiments,

Michael F.W. Festing, Laboratory Anima/s, 28: 212-241,1994.
3. i Refinement of animal use - assessment and alleviation of pain and
,. distress, P.A. Flecknell, Laboratory Anima/s, 28: 222~231, 1994.
4. 'Replacement o(animal procedures: alternatives in research, education
and testing, Michael Balls, Laboratory Anima/s, 28: 193-211, 1994.
5. Effect of chronic administration of 7a-methyl-19-nortestosterone on serum
testosterone, number of spermatozoa and fertility in adult male bonnet
monkeys (Macaca radiata). S.G.Ramachandra, V.Ramesh,
H.N.Krishnamurthy, N. Kumar K. Sundaram, M. P. Hardy and
A.Jagannadha Rao, Reproduction, 124: 301-309, 2002.
6. ' The three Rs: developments in laboratory animal science, Michael Balls,
Michael F.W. Festing and P.A. Flecknell, Laboratory Anima/s, 28: 193-
231,1994.

-,_,. -

163
 CPCSEA - 3 R's CONCEPT - FIELD REALITIES
V.N. APPAJI RAO (RETO.)
Professor
Dept. of Preventive Medicine
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600 007

Veterinary education is imparted in the several Veterinary Colleges training

Veterinarians for graduate and postgraduate courses. In India we have today
38 Veterinary Colleges with an annual admission capacity of about 2700 students
to the graduate course (S.v.Sc. and AH). India has about 40,000 Veterinarians
in different walks of life inclusive of field Veterinarians in State Services,
biologicals, teaching and research, fundamental and applied research,
pharmaceutical industry, Army, freelance practitioners to name a few. Apart
from the basic graduate course the colleges have the task of' producing post
graduates, doctorates a'nd so on in different specialties to provide state of art
technical services in the fields of animal production and health. For the purpose,
all the Veterinary Colleges have updated instrumentation, technical and
manpower infrastructure.
Veterinary Education in India has been prescribed by the Veterinary
Council of Indla '(VCI) which has laid down the 'Minil\lum standards ofVeterin~ry
Education, Degree course - S.V.Sc. & A.H, regulations 1993. It is mandatory
that all the Veterinary Colleges in India adapt and follow the regulations of VCI
which is the statutory body. The curriculum and'syllabus in these regulations
has taken adequate care and detailed the theory and practical inputs tp ultimately
produce Veterinarians who will be successful in the field as well as fit candidate
for PG studies. the Colieges have today the Challenge to train graduates who
will meet the needs to the free lance Veterinarians, c,ompete for recruitment in
Army and Civil services and as well in international scenario, in addition to
/ entry into state services. \
\

With regard to Veterinary Research, it is in progress at different levels

comprising of postgraduate and doctorate study programmes, fundamental and
applied research in the institutes and the All India Coordinated projects relating
to animal production and health. ,
For the purpose of Veterinary education animals are required for practical
oriehtation and demonstration. Simila'rly, for the res.earch programmes animals
, are required. Depending on the subjee,t taught and the research project designed
the hype of animal and the numbers vary. Laboratory animals (mice, rats\
, gui~ea pigs, rabbits) and large animals (cats, dogs, sheep and goats, cattle,
swine, equines) are needed for tea~hing arid rese~rch. The studies may be
, '\ ' '
" '164
 noninvasive which may not cost the life of the animal or may be invasive which
will be terminal to the animal. With this background we will pursue the vel
regulations of B.V.Sc. and AH. syllabus with regard to the need to use animals.
· At this junctur~ the 'entire community of scientists dealing with life sciences
· must in all humility and civility gratefully acknowledge to the several billions·of
animals, who sacrificial their lives in the billions of studies in the past to buildup'
massive foundation and extensive superstructure of scientific knowledge and
data base over the decades. The entire humanity must after etc realize that the
millions of animals under experimentation at any point of time is exclusively for
human welfare and this sacrifice is possible only because they are not humans.
In return, we in civilized society should at least be kind, considerate and
reasonably tender to animals by adapting the 3R's .
, In the.teaching of Anatomy and Surgery practicals hands on training and
dexterity is a must for the student to be successful in the field. Sound training in
this area is very essential to evolve a quality veterinarian. Therefore adequate
number of animals must be made available to students to ensure proficiency in treatment
and success in profession. It will be necessary for the specialists in the subject to
· discuss in detail and suggest the optimum needs of animals species wise.
, In the teaching of physiology in the courses VPY 111, animals are required
to practically demonstrate Locomotor, Respiratory systems and blood and in
the course VPY 121 - Digestive, Excretory and nervous systems. Similarly in
the subject of Pharmacology and Toxicology animals required for practical
teaching in VPT321 '(Autonomic and Systemic ~harmacology) and VPT 421
(Demonstration <;>f drug toxicity). These aspects can be very effectively presented
and explained with tailor made video cassettes or compact discs on the actual
animals, add suitable graphics made by experts in the subjects and given as
the practical teaching material to all Veterinary Colleges. This will be far better
than explaining with the animals to every batch. We can in fact replace the
conventional procedure.
r With regard to LPT 321 the students should have the benefit of practically
viewing and participating in the slaughter procedure to effectively learn the
antemortem and postmortem certification as well as processing of meat as cuts,
products and byproducts.
There is no need for animals in practical teaching of parasitology,
microbiology, livestocK production and Management, Veterinary Public health,
Animal breeding and genetics, Reproduction Gynecology and obstetrics, Clinical
Veterinary Medi9ine , Preventive Veterinary MediCine, Animal husbandry
Exten~ion Education. However laboratory animals (rabbits) will be required in
preparation of hyper immune sera to teach immuno diagnosis of diseases.
165
 The need of animals in research, pr()jects related to Masters and Doctorate
on a research,.fundamental or applied research etc. should be considered case
to case basis. The need may be for laboratory or large'animals. In the interest
of training efficient technical manpower and in order to perform need-based
research the, requirement of animals should be positively considered and
provided. However great care must be exercised in providing optimal conditions ,
of housing, feeding and management of ~xperimental animals which is equally
important to elicit genuine and reproducible results. It may be ensured if the
standards prescribed by the SIS (lSI) are applied properly.
We shall now examine the whole issue of the need for animals in
Veterinary Education and Research viewed from the regulations of CPCSEA.
The committee forthe Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments
on Animals (CPCSEA) has been constituted by the Government of India, under
sections 14 to 20 (Chapter IV) of the Prev~ntion of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960,
forthe purpose of controlling and supervisihg experiments performed on animals.
It is the duty of the committee to take all such measures as may be
necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or
suffering, before, during or after the perf()rmance of experiments on them. To
achieve this purpqse, the CPCSEA may, through notification in the Gazette of
India, make such rules,
, "-
as it may think fit in relation to the conduct of such
experiments. The CPCSEA will .
•:. Register institutions/e~tablishments/breeders carrying out, 'experiments on
animals/breeding animals. ,
.:. Call for'and receive reports and other irlformation us required from concerned
per~ons/in$titutions/breeders .
•:. Ensure that experiments are,carried out by qualified individuals and with the
full responsibility of the perso,n in charge of the institution .
•:.; Give permission to registerep institutes/establishments for conducting
experiments on animals. \
(. Regulate eXReriments on animals,as Per stipulated conditions and standards
.:. Participate in the meetings of the 'Institutional Animal Ethics Committees.'
.:. Ensure that experiments are perforlTled with due care and humanity and
that as far as possible experiments\ihvolving invasive procedures/surgery
are performed under the influence of's6me anaesthetic of sufficient power
to pre,vent the animals feeling pain. ' ,
. \ ~ .
•:., Ensure that experiments on animals (:m~,avoided whenever it is possible to
do sol and propagate the principle of ~ R's that is to REDUCE, REFINE and
REPLACE the use of animals in experiments ..
, \ , '
"-
..... , 166 ,
I '

, \

~
.:. Ensure that as far as possible experiments are not performed merely forthe
'purpose of acquiring manual skill
.:. Ensure that required records are maintained with respect to experiments
,'performed on animals.
, ,Evidently the regulations of CPCSEA do not ban the use of animals in teaching
/research, but requires to Reduce/Refine/Replace the use of animals. For the
purpose it devised the procedure of registration of institutions and formed the'
Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) in e,ach to scrutinize the specific
proposals for approval at different levels. Each IAEC comprised of "a biological
sciel')tist, two scientists from different biological disciplines, a veterinarian involved
in the care' of animals, the scientist in charge of animals facility of the
establishment concerned, a scientist from outside the institute, a non-scientific'
socially aware member and representative of nominee of the Committee. A
,specialist may be .co-opted while reviewing special projects using hazardous
agents such as radioactive substance and deadly microorganisms. Can the
generalization; be applied to Veterinary Education, where all the research
proposals are screened and, retired through multiple layer of professional,
committees. This'aspect needs detailed discussion.
In most instances the nominees had poor knowledge of science and in any'
case could not fulfill their duties in professional institutions like Veterinary
Colleges, Medical Colleges, Research Institutions. They had very often indulged
in complaining to CPCSEA on irregularities in animals houses and uncharitably
criticized the research proposals that hurt the honour,and dignity of.scientists.
While examining the research proposals in the IAEC meetings the delegates
from CPCSl=A posed several unreasonable questions with their poor scientific
back ground that embarrassed the well qualified scientists at the receiving end.
Finally, the list of proposals invqlving laboratory animals will be sent to CPCSEA
by the IAEC, with the vetoing power of the nominee as recommended /not
recommended. In respect of proposals involving large animals (cats, dogs,
sheep, goat, swine, cattle etc.) ,after the recommendation of the IAEC, the large
an'imal sUbcom'mittee must approve the projects. Thus, the institution must
face the ordeal 81nd indefinite wait to find approval for research proposals. In
practice all the research proposals, either related to education or otherwise are
time bound on the calendar which cannot tolerate inordinate or indefinite delay
in approval.from CPCSEA. , This procedure needs detailed examination and
revision.
On the other hand, all the research proposals are technically well scrutinized
and audited 'by hitJhly competent scientific committees in the professional colleges,
and should be respectfully accepted by the CPCSEA. The need of animals in

167
I

the practical teaching in veterinary colleges and th~ examination pattern is laid
down by the vel and any changes contemplated ,in the direction should be
.addressed and implemented through the VCI. .
In resp~ct of the three R's" of CPCSEA the following suggestions are pffered.
Reduce: The extent and possibility of reduction must be decided by the VCI
in consultation with subject matter specialists.
Refine: The institutions must adopt the housing, feeding and management of
animals as per prescribed standards of Bureau of Indian Standards. Attendants
in the animal house must receive appropriate training and certification.
Principles of bio safety and bio ethics must be enforced in animal houses.
In the field of production of biologicals using equines, we can standardise
and evolve GMP (a code of goad managemental practices) which is not in
place today.
Another good procedure will be to immediately stop production of Nervous
tissue anti rabies vaccine from sheep and introduce the use of TCARV in India ..
Replace: Effective audiovisuals to be produced in practical teaching where hands
, on training and skill development with the use of animals can be dispensed with
, (dry laboratory),as in the case of physiology and pharmacology.
In addition, aUention must also be devoted to areas wherein animals are
used in large numberto produce biologicals (vaccines and hyperimmune sera)
be can totally replace the production of antirabies vaccine from sheep brain
with a far safer and effective tissue culture vaccine. now made available in India.
Conclusion
It will be realized that the principle~ of CPCSEA are laudable but need
/' extensive refinem(~nt the approach and practical application. CPCSEA cannot
enforce their vjew8, procedures and requirements on Veterinary Education and
Research directly and must a~proach through VCI, which is the regulatory body
for the purpose. The science reproduction and use of animals is ingrained in
the curriculum and practice of Veterinary profession and it can monitor itself on
the principles or procedures laid down by CPCSEA. In fact, the CPCSEA must
use· the well laid out technical base of Veterinary profession in, enforcing 'its'
procedures in all the non-veterinary institutions and laboratories.
I
;

168

/
 PREDICTIVE HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF HYPERIMMUNIZED
EQUINES WITH A COMPUTER SOFTWARE 'EQUISAM'
A. SAMAD*, MURDESHWAR PRASHANTH** AND PAWALKAR, D.A.*
*Department of Medicine, Bombay Veterinary College
Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University
**Infovet (Veterinary Software Solutions), Mumbai
,
Equines are commonly employed to produce hyper immune serum against
many antigens, such as, snake venom, tetanus, gas gangrene, etc. For this,
the animals (horses or mules) are injected repeatedly with high antigen doses
to stimulate high-titer antibody productioh against the desired antigens(s). The
animals are then bled for harvesting serum, which is further processed to obtain
the final product. The use of animCils for comn:tercial production of antibodies in
general, and for anivenom antisera, in particular is now a regulated activity,
which involves scrutiny and appraisal by consumers, Food and Drug authorities.
These authorities are concerned with ensuring that the product is potent (sufficient
titer) so as to provide desired degree of Immunity and safe, i.e., free from
contaminants. The central issue therefore i~ maintaining the animals in optimum
health. -
, In contrast, repeated hyperimmunization with antigens over a long period
oftime has been shown to have deleterious effects on the health of such animals.
For example stimulation of RES results in hypergammaglobineimia, amyloid
infiltration in liver I kidneys or other organs, life-threatening coagulopathies, renal
or hepatic failure, splenomegaly, etc. Repeated bleeding, if not done properly,
might cause Hypoprotenemia, anemia, etc., Recently, there have been explicit
public and government concerns on the issue ofwelfare of such animals. The
veterinarian in charge of such farms therefore must evolve protocols and
procedures that would ensure productpotency, safety on one hand and optimum
health and welfare of the animals on the other hand. In addition to FDA, the
manufacturers of hyperimmune sera are now required to be registered with and
regulated by CPCSEA. The Department of Medicine, Bombay Veterinary College
has been active in developing protocols to implement preventive animal health
and productivity management programs. Such programs are revolves around
predicting physiological events to plan farm schedule and identify the problems
and problem areas (management nodes) by analyzing individual animal data,
but considering the herd as the unit of concern. The program is In order to
achieve these objectives for equines, we, in collaboration with a private software
deV$lopment
, company have developed a software that 'is 'now available

169
 commercially under the name, 'Equisam'_. This paper describes the some of
the sa\jent features of the software.

Mimal Entry in tte farm .

•General
examination
• lab Investigation
'Testingfor dseases
'Vacclnati en

Immunization

Cycle of
Immunzation

I .

\ \. ~ Plasma Separation

\ .~~8
", . Fig~re 1:, Logistic\ flow chart for Commercial Antisera production in equine
"'" '\ _ '170,
'\
Logistic considerations: (a) Should help the veterinarians or the Manager to
implement predefined preventive health management systems with an explicit
overriding aim to ensure health and welfare in these animais. For this, the
default parameters to define and to measure health are to be included.
(b) The software should provide decision-making support by analyzing
data and generating useful indices. For this default benchmark values for different
health and welfare parameters need to be provided.
(c) The data and the reports should be accessible and in the format
required by regulatory agencies, such as, CPCSEA and FDA so that inspections
would be unambiguous, critical but objective.
(d) The program should have inherent checks and alarms to support
self-regulation but transparency thereby increasing pLiblic and professional
credibility.
(e) The logistic parameters should be editable so' that new norms anci;
definitions of health, Welfare and product potency & safety could be updated.
(f) The software should have capability to custom-design the reports and
formats as per individual requirements without compromising on the basic
logistics so as to enable it wider acceptance across the geographicarboundaries.
General considerations
1. Health at different management nodes to be defined in measurable
'parameters: For development of equine software it was imperative to carefully
define health andwe,lfare in measurable parameters. For this it is important to
consider the distinct phases of operations these animals undergo and identify
the precise health and welfare risks and translate them into definable parameters.
The hyperimmunized animals undergo following phasos of operations.
ta) Quarantine of all new animals for observation arid health appraisal.
The quarantine of animals is meant to observe newly recruited animals
and undertake examinations to ascertain their suitability. We therefore
fixed and defined the measures of certain health parameters in quarantine.'
These included a mandatory duration, minimum clinical and labora,tory
examination and tests to rule out presence of sub-clinical that are
contagious to other equines or transmissible to human. From the available
literature, we fixed the parameters magnitude .into three categories; (i)l"
normal, (ii) alarm that indicates that the animal is ~igh-risk and; b_e.,
monitored and (iii) interventional, which indicates some action needs ;to .
-be initiated .. We then defined the criteria of completion,ofthe,quarant~n;e~
-T based on the above parameters, which was then entered. as the defa41t,

171
 (b) Primary and secondary immunization: During this phase, the animals
are injected high doses of antigen(s) to prime and stimulate the reticulo-
endothelial system (RES). The pathway of stimulation also involves
mediation of inflammation. Antibody titer and levels of inflammation
mediators reflect the extent of RES stimulation. We considered the
protocol of health check in terms of benchmark levels of titer and .
inflammation mediators (leukocyte count, fibrinogen, serum antiproteases,
serum fibrinogen) that could be regarded optimal for ensuring potency of
the product without compromising health and welfare. Based on the
literature available, alarm and interventional levels were also defined.
(c) Booster immunization: The animals undergo booster immunization
prior to each cycle of bleeding. In order to ensure product safety, a
minimum health appraisal protocol, post-booster, has been defined so
that only animals that meefthe health criteria are allowed for bleeding.
(d) Bleeding cycle: After the cycle of immunization the animals are taken
-for bleeding for harvesting the product. Mostly commonly nowadays
plasamapheresis procedure. is followed, which means the cellular part of
blood is separated and after dilution with physiological saline it is
- -reinjected. This can be done either with the help of machine which reduces
chances of contamination or manually. In order to ensure animal welfare,
the criteria 'Of animals that can be bled was defined. Based on the
hematocrit value and other parameters, the software calculates maximum
blood that can be drawn from each animal. Post-bleeding health· checks
_have also been defined so as to avoid hypoprotenemia and anemia. All
these parameters levels have been defined in terms of normal; alarm
and intervention. Based on these inpu~s, the software helps in deciding
the frequency and number of bleedings in each cycle.
(e) Convalescence: After th~ bleeding cytles, the animals undergo a rest
/ period at the end of which again the animals undergo minimum health
checks to decide on their eligibility for next cycle of booster immunization.
2. The mo,(ement of animals ~o the next operation be auto-regulated:
The software 'Equisam' has been developed keeping in mind the concept of
'self-regulation' by the manufacturers .. This novel software has been designed
to help the veterinarians and Managers respohsible to such farms. Based on
the defined criteria in each operation, the. ~nimal data and activity is transferred
from one operation to the other. For example, a new animal in the farm can
onl.y be registered in\quarantine, wherein: it would undergo all the predefined,
~ -examin~tioifs,· testin~rfor~sub-clinical- disease·s: labohitol1' ·investigations, etc. .
Once aU these ex~minations meet the minimum health criteria and the animal_
I
r
~
~ completes 21 days of mandatory quarantine, 'Equisam' will allow transfer of the
~ data folder of say 'X animal' to the next activity, 'immunization'. After completion
r of primary and secondary immunization, again the software program will guide
[ for health appraisal tests. If these results of these tests are within normal range,
~. the animal would be automatically transferred to the next activity folder, bleeding.
t. Fig. 1~depicts the activity flow chart and the predefined 'tests bouquets'. The
~. baseline value for each parameter in the categories, normal, alarm and
~ intervention are editable by the administrator, after entering the 'pass word'.
~

3. The software be user-friendly and should have data analysis

capability
"Equisam" is a menu-driven software written in Visual Basic and Access.
It enables easy access to individual animal records from any folders. Sufficient
security systems in terms of 'pass word' at different nodes have been provided.
~
!. As a result it is not possible for an unauthorizep person to access the program
~. or the data. If a farm has equines under different antisera production, the same
,.
F

program can be used to maintain separate database for each antigen.

1, Logistic considerations: (a) Should help the veterinarians or the Manager to
i
~.
implement predefined preventive health management systems with an explici~
ov~rriding aim to ~ns.lJ.r~ health anq _w~lfaI~ iD_ tl1_e_s.e al1irDClt$, For thi$, the
default parameters to define and to measure health are to be included.
- (b) The software should provide decision-making support by analyzing
data and generating useful indices. For this default benchmark vaiuesfordifferent
health and welfare parameters need to be provided.
(c) The data and the reports should be accessible and in the format
required by regulatory agencies, such as, CPCSEA and FDA so that inspections
would be unambiguous, critical but objective.
(d) The program should have inherent checks and alarms to support
self-regulation but transparency thereby increasing public and professional
credibility.
(e) The logistic parameters should be editable so that new norms and
definitions of health, welfare and product potency & safety could be updated.
(f) The software should have capability to custom-design the reports and
formats as per individual requirements without compromising on the basic
logistics so as to enable it wider acceptance across the geographical boundaries.
General considerations
1. Health at different management nodes to be defined in measurable
~ pai"~meters: For develo"pment of equine software °it was Tmpe-~tlv~ to carefully
I

173
define health and welfare in measurable parameters. For this it is important to
consider the distinct phases of operations these animals undergo and identify
the precise health and welfare risks and translate them into definable parameters.
The hyperimmunized animals undergo following phases of operations.
(a) Quarantine of all new animals for observation and health appraisal.
The quarantine of animals is meant to observe newly recruited animals
and undertake examinations to ascertain their suitability. We therefore
fixed and defined the measures of certain health parameters in quarantine.
These included a mandatory duration, minimum clinical and laboratory
examination and tests to rule out presence of sub-clinical that are
contagious to other equines or transmissible to human. From the available
literature, we fixed the parameters magnitude into three categories; (i)
normal, (ii) alarm that indicates that the animal is high-risk and be
monitored and (iii) interventional, which indicates some action needs to
be initiated. We then defined the criteria of completion of the quarantine
based on the above parameters, which was then entered as the default.
(b) Primary and secondary immunization:During this phase, the animals
are injected. high doses of antigen(s} to prime and stimulate the reticulo-
endothelial system (RES). The pathway of stimulation also invo,lves
mediation of inflammation. Antibody titer and levels of inflammation
mediators reflect the extent of RES stimulation. We considered the
protocol of '~ealth check in terms of benchmalik levels of titer and
inflammation mediators (leukocyte count, fibrinogen, serum antiproteases,.
se.rum fibrinogen) that could be regarded optimal for ensuring potency of
the product without compromising health ,and welfare. aased on~ the
literat~re available'; alarm and interventionallevels were also defined.
(c) Booster- immunization: The anjmals undergo booster immunization
. ' priqr··tC? each cycle o,f bleeding. In order to ensure product safety, a
minimum health appra\isal protocol, post-booster, has been defined so
that only animals that meet the health criteria are allowed for bleeding.
(d) Bleeding cycle: After the cycle of immunization the animals are taken
," for bleeding for harvesting the product. Mostly commonly nowadays
plasamapheresis prQcedure is followed, which means the cellular part of
blood is separated and aft~l\ dilution with physiological saline it is
., reinjected. This can be done either with the help of machine which reduces
j' chances of contamination or manually. In order to ensure animal welfare,
- ", the 'criteria-of animals that -can-be- bled-was defined:- Based on 'th~.
I hematocrit value and other parameters,, the software calculates maximum\
-
174
\
"'\
 blood that can be drawn from each animal. Post-bleeding health checks
have also been defined so as to avoid hypoprotenemia and anemia. All
these parameters levels have been defined in terms of normal, alarm
and intervention. Based on these inputs, the software helps in deciding
the frequency and number of bleedings in each cycle.
(e) Convalescence: After the bleeding cycles, the animals undergo a rest
period at the end of which again the animals I,mdergo minimum health
checks to decide bn their eligibility for next cycle of booster immunization.
,
2. The movement of animals to the next operation be auto-regulated:
The software 'Equisam' has been developed keeping in mind the concept of
'self-regulation' by the manufacturers. This novel software has been designeq
to/help the veterinarians and Managers responsible to such farms. Based on
the defined criteria in each operation, the animal data and activity is transferred
from one operation to the other. For example, a new animal in the farm can
only be registerE!d in quarantine, wherein it would undergo all the predefined
e)(amjnations, testing for sub-clinical diseases, laboratory investigations, etc.
Once all these examinations meet the minimum health criteria and the animal
completes 21 days of mandatory quarantine, 'Equisam' will allow transfer of the
d.ata folder of s"ay 'X ~nimal' t9 the fl~~ ~ctivity, 'Jm.m_uniz.aJion'. Aft;~r compl~tiQn
of primary and secondary immunization, again the software program will guide
for health appraisal tests. If theSE! results of these tests are within normal range,
the animal would be automatically transferred to the next activity folder, bleeding.
Fig. 1 depicts the activity flow chart and the predefined 'tests bouquets'. The
baseline value for each parameter in the categories, normal, alarm and
intervention are editable by the administrator, after entering the 'pass word'.
3. The software be user-friendly and should have data analysis
capability
"Equisam" is a menu-driven software written in Visual Basic and Access. It
enables easy access to individual animal records from any folders. Sufficient
security systems in terms of 'pass word' at different nodes have been provided.
As a result it is not possible for an unauthorized person to access the program
or the data. If a farm has equines under different antisera production, the same
progran:t
, .. can be used to maintain separate database for each antigen.
Some important features of the software
'Equisam' maintains the life-time data of all the animals: the life-time record
of each animal for immunization, bleeding, treatment, laboratory investigations,
etc.,' is maintained in. an easy-to-retrieve ·format.- Animals that are dead are

175
culled are transferred to the 'Archive' folder and their records are inactivated.
These records, however, can be retrieved easily. Equisam" maintains the tifetime
data of all the animals entering into operations. It £!laintains the data of even
those animals that have died, culled or sold. Thus, either FDA or the Animal
Welfare Committee (CPSCEA) can effectively do veterinary auditing of the
record. A scanned photograph of the horse can be saved in the individual folder.
"Equisam "maintains the record of immunization and bleeding
The program maintains the data of all the cycles of immunization be it
primary, secondary or bqoster." It also maintains record of all the bleedings,
including the blood volume drawn, plasma separated and the cells pheresed.
This enables keeping a close watch on these operations vis a vis the
animal welfare. An alarm signal is given as soon as an animal is over-bled and
the animal is blocked for next bleeding.
'Equisam generates daily action list: Based on the data of each animal,
Equisam generates daily Action List, which is in fact the plan of activity for the
farm staff.
. It generates 1.0. list of animals in quarantine, animals due for immunization
on that day, animals due for health check up, animals for bleeding, etc. It also
generates a list of those animals that are sick and open for treatmenf Enabling
and disabling of the animal for a particular activity (immunization, bleeding) is
automatically done. Tt~us, it ensures that only the animals that satiSfy the health
criteria are included and the one that Deed veterinary care a'1d investigation are
excluded from bleeding or immunization.
Equisam generates Alarni list of High-risk animals
"Equisam", by default, has a database with cut-off values for product
potency and animal's well being. For example, intervention levels for hemoglobin,
~ematocrit, serum proteins, liver function test (LFT), kidney function tests (KFT)
and levels of inflammation mediators, such as, 81-antitrypsin, 82-macroglobulin,
calcium-reactive proteins (CRP), 'amylase, amyloid proteins, etc, can be defined
based on the, national recommendations. Equisam analyzes the day-to-day
parameters of each horse and predicts high-risk animals and under-performing
animals so that appropriate action ca'n be adqpted to fix the problem. Thus, now
there Is no need to depend on observ'ation of vital signs in animals that may be
expres~ed late when the damage has ~Iready occurred. This ensures that
antisera is produced\ only from healthy animals.
. ~

- '-l~'Equisam" thus provides· a meantd total, health package forthese p;ecious

animals and enable ensuring quality an~ safety of the antiserum.
!

I 176 '
\
\

'\
:quisam' generates a 'number of reports
"Equisam" generates periodic administrative report. A number of reports
uch as, individual animal, immunization, bleeding and convalescence reports
:an be generated. Thus, if you are interested in knowing how many cycles of
llmunizqtion and bleeding a particular horse has undergone, the informa~ion
:an be obtained within seconds, which can be printed for records. Important
eports, such as, venom utilizatioin, adjuvant utilization, can al::.u I)e generated
Dr any per,iod, The inventory reports, such as, mater:cJls purct:L:sed and uS'ed
luring a particular period can also be generated. The farm reports therefore
;ould be now more objective.
nventory maintenance easy
With the help of the program you can maintain feed, fodder, medicine,
lenom and adjuvant inventory. The records are automatically updated when
hese are used., When the stock is lower than the requirements for a week, an
~Iarm list is generated. Whenever a medicine is used in a horse t(internally),
he program also calculates the "withdrawal period" and for this period the animal
when in bleeding program} is blocked for bleeding: This avoids contamination
)f .~E;l.1um with undes,ired substances. "Equisam" thus enables the
3iopharmaceutical to provide total safety to consumers. Each time you use a
lledicine in the farm, the inventory is automatically updated. Thus, you can
(eep a closely monitor different drugs used in these horses.
'Equisam generates daily feeding schedule
The program generates daily feeding schedule depending upon whether
the animal is in immunization, bleeding, convalescence or treatment, since the
protein, energy and other m~trient requirements for each phase is different and
distinct. The feed formulation module enables you to formulate a balanced
feed for horses from the available ingredients.
The above description provides only a glimpse of the software capability. 1

'Equisam', is a modest step at empowering veterinarian to harness the power of

computer-aided decision-making.

-1

177

I
 3R's AND THE ALTERNATIVES IN VETERINARY ANATOMY
P.V.S. KISHORE
Assistant Professor & Head
Department of Veterinary Anatomy &, Histology
N.T.R. College of Veterinary Science
Gannavaram.521102. A.P.

I. HISTORICAL
Anatomy is considered to be the oldest medical science. It deals with
, the form and structure of the body systems of the organisms. Topographical
anatomy was studied even in the stone age, by drawing the different forms of
animals and describing them. The study of Veterinary science has it's beginning
in the study of anatomy. It is a practical science, as dissection of the animal is
vital for it's understanding.
o Around 300 B.C. Aristotle performed animal dissectio,ns.
"

," 0 Around 20.0 A:D. Galen dissected monkeys.

- '
• Systematic dissections were later done by Leonardo,da Vinci and Andreas
Vesalius,( considered the father of modern anatomy), in the 14th and 15th
centuries~espectiv~ly. ,,' ,
• William Harvey iii the 16th century discovered the circulation of blood, by
doing careful (ii~sections.
Animal usage is therefore an integral part of Veterinary Anatomy.
, II. MORAL ,COURSE
, The fundamental question about animal experimentation is whether it is
morally justifiable? What crif~ria would make it justifiable 'or unjustifiable? The
/ exact purpose of an animal experiment is to be decided. If any gains are expected,
whether they are justifiable at\ the expense of animal lives and well-being?
'

Philosophers urged the restriction\

of animal experimentation and condemned
it's abuses. "Fhey advocated that L!niversal compassion was the only guarantee
of morality.
III. EARLY ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION ,-
, A description of the appeara~ce\and
relationships of the various body
systems was possjble only by dissectidp but in the early days, religious taboos
again~t dissection,' even of cadavers, was an ethical challenge in the- society.
Ther~ was great concern for harmful animal use, but suffering and death of
anim~ls was weighed against any advancement of knowledge obtained. Painful
\ \ ,
I

178
"\
.._,.,-

anima'l usage was allowed in pursuit of medical benefits, but not to satisfy mere
speculation. Vivisection for research purposes that would confer the highest
benefits to mankind was,allowed, provided the anim'al was rendered insensitive
to pain. The discovery of anaesthesia and better analgesics made possible the .
removal of suffering from many experiments and euthanasia could be performed
without recovery from anaesthesia. Scientists felt that animal experiments should '
be legally regulated or their perpetrator would be accused of cruelty.
Five principles were laid out in the early days, to authorize any proposal
for animal experimentation, even before general anaesthesia was discovered.
o Lack of an alternative way that would not require intervention.
• R~quirement of a well defined objective.

• Avoidance of repetition ..
• Minimization of suffering.
• Publication of the res!Jlts for future reference to avoid duplication.
IV. PRESENT SCENARIO
In the recent YElar5 the welfare of animals used in experirnentation has
become a topic of significant debate. Many important issues relating to humane
and appropriate use of animals have in the past and even today demand
attention. Appropriate use of animals in conducting biomedical and veterinary
research is justified to enhance'the quality of life for both humans and animals.
Use of animals. in research and education is inevita~le and cannot be abandoned
in totality in the interest of human and animal welfare.
Scientists are deeply concerned about the rational and humane use of
animals. Ethics committees are functional in many institutes. They are
concerned about avoiding unnecessary pain or suffering or injury to experimental
animals. In the recent years a great deal of attention has been focused on the
use of alternatives in animal experimentation, due to the concern for animal's
welfare.
The reduction in the number of animals to be used in experiments is
bas,ed on the concept ofalternatives. Alternatives include reductions in the use
of- animals and refinements in experimental protocols that lessen pain of the
animals involved. Internationally accepted practices for humane care and use
of animals ensure application of the humane principle of minimizing unavoidable
pain on experimental animals.
_13R's provide a strategy for rational and stepwise approach to minimize
animal use and suffering caused by their use without compromising the quality
179
 of s~ientific work. We must look into the developments so far in develoPing
tools for alternatives and we must Use those tools.
V.3R's
The 3R's concept was propo~ed by Russell and Burch in their publication
"The Principles of Humane Experimental technique" in 1959. It aims for a better
and more humane science through Reduction, Refinement and Replacement
which are interrelated. '
~ Reduction is the use of fewer animals without compromising scientific output.
~ Refinement is any development leading to a decrease in the incidence
or severity of inhumane procedures, for minimizing pain and suffering.
~. Replacement is any scientific method employing non-sentient material,
which may repface methods, which use conscious ffving vertebrates. It
may be complete when no al)imals are used, partial when some animals
are used or relative when invertebrates or less sentient animals are used.
Replacement can lead to Reduction and Refinement. Reduction and
Refinement can be achieved by a good experimental design. The 3R's when
appropriately implemented will defil)itely result in the best scientific practice.
The imR'ementation of the 3R's in practice is a legal requirement in the
European Union· and many other countries. An experiment shall not be performed .
if any other scientifi<;;ally satisfactory method of obtaining. the result sought, not
entailing the use of .animals, is reasonably arid practically available. The
assessment of the cost in terms of the number of animals to be used and the
s~verity of the procedures involved are·tak~n into consideration.
,
The 3R's concept has been accepted by many'scientists, legislative and
regulatory bodies and governments throughout the world, as an excellent overall
/ approach to animal experimentation. Alternatives offer the optimum ways for
practicing humane and bett~~ science. The alternatives have to be established
as norms and the alternative methods have to be validated to establish their
reliability and relevance for ths\purpose.
VI. ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives can be defined as hu:mane educational aids and teaching
approaches that can replace harmf~' c\ni~al use. They complement the existing
humane education. A combination ()f the above two is also be used, to achieve
the/educational goals that cannotbe rr{et through the use of animals.. Alternatiyes
alsb refer to non-animal approaches or approaches that involve work with animals
with no ill effects or with beneficial effect to the animals .
. \
180
,.--
~
~
~

i
The following types of alternatives can be used.
);> " Film and Video
~. 'I

t. );> Models
r );> Mannekins and Simulators
~ );>" Multimedia computer simulation
~ );> Ethically sourced animal cadavers
~ );> Clinicat work with volunteers and animals
');> Student self experimentation
);> In.vitro labs
);> Field studies
'". 3R'S AND ALTERNATIVES IN VETERINARY ANATOMY
Veterinary curriculum as perthe Veterinary Council of India, with reference
:> veterinary anatomy includes the teaching of gross anatomy, histology,
~mbryology and applied anatomy. Knowledg~ of gross anatomy is the foundation
md animal usage is an integral part of Veterinary anatomy. Teaching of gross
uiatomy involves sacrifiCing live animals and preserving them for dissection, a's
itudy of anatomy is not complete without some degree of hands-on-experience::
, Dissection of various species of animals is repetitively done for different.
)atches of students every year. As a result, a lorof animals are to be sacrificed'
'8g!:Jl~rly for obtaining Cadavers. In India, the veterinary students dissect primarily
) ruminant animal and then comparative anatomy of the" Horse and Dog are'
earnt ..; Th'ese animals are procured from different sources, in the various
leterinary colleges "in the cO-untry. Animal usage as an integral"part ofVeterina.y~
~natorilYI causes considerable pain and distress to the animals. Eliminating'
:his" suffering is of vital importance .from the humane point of view. .:
. .
'. The 3R's concept, if effectively applied can minimize the harmful animal use.:
'. Reduction in the number of animals being used for dissection can be
3chi~ved by the optimum utilization of cadavers. This can be achieved ~y:
." ·Provision of a good preservation and storage facility for better handling
and preservation of ethically sourced animal cadavers, as compared
to the present practice cif sacrificing live animals by bleeding them to
death, embalming them and preserving in formalin.
• R~vision of curriculum by incorporatihg systems of instruction, related to
-ahimal dissections into a single course/two courses but in the same
181
 semester. At present Osteology, Arthrology and Myology are grouped
into a single course which is dealt in the first semester for the first year
students. Dissection to study the Myology is performed in this semester.'
Angiology and Neurology are grouped along with Aesthesiology in the
second semester for the first year students, where again dissection is to
be performed. The systems of Myology, Angiology and Neurology for the
first year students may be group~d into a single course/two courses but
in the same semester, for optimum utilization of cadavers. The same
cadavers'are put to use in Applied Anatomy course for the second year
students, during the same period. .
Refinement in the severity of procedures for minimizing pain and suffering, can
be achieved, especially in the embalming of animals. The present practice is to .
sacrifice the live animals by bleeding them to death, after giving an anticoagulant
and. mild anaesthesia. Thereafter embalming with 10% formalin is done. This
causes pain and suffering to the dying animal.
This suffering caused to the animals used for dissection can be minimized!
avoided by embalming the cadavers of donor animals obtained through the
successfully implemented Client Donation Programme, as described by
Amarendra M. ~umar of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine,
USA. In this donor , animal programme, animals are donated to teaching .

departments from th~ university clinics to ensure high ethical standards. The
animals :suffering- from.
, . '\.incurable terminal illness are donated. These animals
~ ,

are euthanised after arriving at a decision, by a consensus ·from the client and
the veterinarian attending the case. This cadcrver is embalmed and used for
gros~ anatomy·leaching. .
Replacement of the harmful use of animals can be achieved by using non
animal approaches and comput.er assisted! learning. Teaching approaches,
pedagogical effectiveness and advances in technology provide suitable
alternatives to harmful animal \use.
\

~ Videos can be used as a'visual alternative to train the students before

actually doing animal dissections. They play 'ari important role as a visual
alternative to harmful animal use. They can·be used for the preliminary
. understanding of the teaching objectives, often repeatedly, to provide
. the background for the subjecf\~ri~ to' prepare, before working with other,
!alternatives or having to work with animals. Videos can provide a lot of
jinformation 'to st~dents, than ~nat can be got by actually dQing the \
di~sections! experiments. High quali.ty professional videos inthese modem \
I days form good alternatives. These. can, be very effective· if inC:vrporated \
I I

182
 , with graphics and audio. Digitisation of the video and provision on the
int9rnet makes it a very important alternative.
;;.. Non-animal alternatives like Models, Mannekins and Simulators. .
Models are artificial objects, used to study the anatomical structure. Plastic
models of animals can be used to teach Osteology and Arthrology. Plastinated
real animal cadavers can be used to teach Splanchnology. Mannekins also called'
Phantoms are life-like representations of animals used for hands-on-training,.
Computerised mannekins can also be used for mastery of the skills. Simulators
are objects used for improving the skills, and can also demonstrate the dynamic
processes in the living body. They can be used for clinical skills training in Applied
Anatomy. These non animal alternatives offer cost-effective and ethical hands-
on-training and the students can gain the practical and mental skills required for
performing dissections on animals.
.
;;.. Computer Assisted Learning ( CAL ) enh~nces the study of anatomy
by creating a virtual dissection, where students can repetitively perform
the dissections step by step, using the multimedia software. Computer
Assisted Learning ( CAL) with the multimedia software, if made available
on' CD-ROM and DVD can playa very important role in university teaching.
A virtual laboratory can be created for teaching specific courses. Such
virtual dissections when made interactive can be self-directed and, the
students can work at their convenience by repeating any part as per
necessity. They can provide a better and sensory experience for a
complete appreciation of the structures and their interrelationships. This
technological advance can complement the 'practical dissections, which
can be kept at the minimum. The study of anatomy can be modernized
and revitalized as per the present day needs.
;;.. Ethically sourced animal cadavers can be obtained from, different
sources. These include the animals that have died naturally or in accidents.
The animals that have been euthanised due to serious non-recoverable
injury or terminal illness can also be used for dissections. These animal
cadavers obtained from ethical sources can replace the sacrificing of live
animals for dissection. Dissection of ethically sourced cadavers can
replace the dissections of killed animals in anatomy practicals, for those
stUdents who genuinely require dissection skills in their careers.
VIII. RECOURSE
• A gradual progression towards the 3R's .
• _pupport for the use of Alternatives.

183
 • Preference for Refinement over Reduction.
• Interpretation of Replacement as use of fewer animals.
• Awareness through Humane education.
• Teaching of animal Ethics and animal Welfare in Veterinary Education.
• Legal provisions as pre-requisites for undertaking animal experimentation.
IX. CONCLUSION
Harmful animal use in veterinary education is increasingly being replaced
by alternatives. Over 35 published academic studies show that alternatives are
as good as and in some cases better than traditional harmful animal use for
effective acquisition of knowledge and skills. Conscious curricular design with
appropriately employed combinations of alternatives can better meet the t\eaching
objectives. Alternatives are also suited to meet broader curricular aims such as
computer literacy application, appreciation of the . scientific method and
encouragement of qualities such as humaneness and personal responsibility.
Humane science is the best science. Scientific excellence and humane
use of animals are inextricably linked. Humane science, leading to minimization
and if possible elimination of suffering in animal experiments is the goal of
sc;;ientific community and also the desire of the general public. Humane science
should be fully incorporated into practice. We are in a scientific revolution where
humane science is the need of the hour and is to be identified and established
as an international standard in veterinary education.

184
 , ·ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 3R's
qrtllJ' CONCEPTS - AN OVERALL VIEW
P' - .
'. ~ -~

S.USHA KUMARY* AND GEETHA RAMESH**

Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600 007
The three R's of Russel and Burch i.e. replacement, reduction and
refinement had their origins in a proposal made in about 1954 by Charles Hume,
the founder of Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). Russell and
Burch defined the replacement as any scientific method employing non sentient
. material which may in the history of animal experimentation replace methods
which lise conscious living vertebrates and reduction as a means of lowering
the number of animals and refinement as any development leading to decrease
in the incidence or severity of inhumane procedu(es to the animals (Balls, 1997).
The application of the concepts of replacement, reduction and refinement
a key element in definihg system for the integration of animal welfare as an
essential componentof an experimental design. The recognition of animal welfare
science as an academic discipline will provide a focus for ~R's.
Few areas offer immediate prospects for refinement are use of terminally
anaesthetized animals,' effective application of analgeSICS, establishment of
humane end point and introduction of improved methods of housing and
hl1sbandry. Discomfort or pain for the animal may occur during three phases in
animal experimentation Le. before, during and after experiments. So care must
be taken in -these three stages (Baumans, 1997).
Before the experiment, the health status~f animal (Iatent.virall bacterial
I parasitic infections), cages design,' transport of animals, food deprivation etc.
will decide the degree of discomfort to the animal. During. the experiment,
discomfort may occur dueto poor quality of equipment such as needle surgical
instr.uments. After the experiment, when the animal has to survive post invasive
care, should be provided (Baumans, 1997). In accord with the principle of
r~fillement, however it is important to note the ethical obligation on animal based
scientists to minimize the noxious effects of the scientific procedures to which
they expose animal's, whatever their level and duration the "cost" to the animal~
must be minimized in all practicable ways. Anticipation, alleviation, continuous
,assessment of procedure are key stones to minimizing noxious experiences in
individual animals exposed to intrusive procedures.
The concepJs of alternatives demands that consideration be given to
modifying the use of living vertebrate animals in research, teaching and testing

* Assistant
, Professor ** Associate Professor

185
 ,
., "

programmes of continuing education and training (CET) tor scientists using living
animals are efficient and effective sites for dissemination of materials regarding
alternatives. Alternatives include three dimensional models, video tapes,
computer programmes (CD-ROMs). Recent advances in surgical technology
have resulted in changes in the methods used in surgical education. The use of
computers, video imaging, simulators and other advanced technology in the
operating room has altered the manner in which operations are performed. The
audiovisual a Iternative to dissection and other surgical technique can include
video lessons.
Videos are cheaper and more accessible and the resolution of fine detail
is superior that of computer based images. CD-ROMs developed on course
curriculum as practical education authoring tool may be used. Good design of
educational software can lift students to higher conceptual levels as well as
providing a better understanding of the specific topics being addressed.
Moreover, fundamental and crucially important aspects of the life sciences can
be appreciated and practised by students, independently or in groups. The
integration of different media and the design of different levels of learning
experience within one program can provide a complex teaching aid that is highly
sensitive to the requirements of the practical course and the individual student
(Jukes_and Chi~Ja, 2003)
Barriers to the acceptance oJ education alternatives are based on
misconceptions to certaih,extent. These include the belief that alternatives ,are
inferior, that they cost more, that they are difficult to acquire and that they threaten
to undermine the academi~ freedom of instructor (Balcombe, 1997). Finally, the
most important conclusion is the altematives can minimize the u.sage of animals but
complete replacement of animals in experiments is impossible. Moreover, the altematiVes
can be used as supporting and complementary tool in veterinary education.
REFERENCES
Balls, M.1997. The three Rs concept of alternatives to al)imal experimentation.
Cited in Animal Alternatives, Welfare and Ethics. Ed. van Zutphen, L.F.M
I and M.Balls. Pp. 27-41. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Balcombe, J.P. 1997. Alternative\ in education: overcoming barriers to
acceptanc~. Cited in Animal A,ternatives, Welfare and Ethics. Ed. van
Zutphen, L.F.M and M.Balls. Pp. 441-444. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Baumans, V.1997. Scientific procedures. and practices causing concern. Cited
in Animal Alternatives, Welfare and Ethic$. Ed. van Zutphen, L.F.M and
M.Balls. Pp. 289-290. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Jukes, N. and M.Chiuia,2003. From guinea Rig to computer mouse. Alternative
.. method_s for B, PJ'pgresslv.~,. humane. ~ducation. 2nd _.edn. InterNICHE,
- _. En~j'lana. -
j

186
 I

,, '
LATE ARRIVALS - V
,r
 CLASSICAL STUDIES ON VETERINARY TRAINING
INSTITUTE'S TRAINEES
A.DUTTA GUPTA
Veterinary Training Institute, R.K. Nagar Farm Complex, Jirania, Agartala, Tripura(w)
OBJECTIVES TO KNOW ABOUT TRAINEES AND ADMINISTRATION LINKAGES
ON MY FIRST POSTING ON EXTENSION ETC
TO GIVE A FULL LENGTH SUPPORT TO TRAINEES AND SIDE BY
SIDE STUDIES ON THEIR NATURAL FEELING.

VETERINARY TRAINING INSTITUTE:-

A.R.D.A. TRAINING CENTER FOR UNEMPLOYEES
BENEFICIARIES TRAINING CENTER FROM D.R.DA!
TRIBEL WELEFARE/DEPARTMENTAU ETC

ABOUT A.R.D.A.'S COURSES:-

3TRIMSTERS
4X 3-12 SUBJECTS
50 MARKS FOR EACH COURSES
2100 HRS PER COURSE

HOSTEL FACILITIES
TWO BATCHS P.ER 1 YEAR COURSE
CAPACITY:-70 TO 130~140 PER SESSION
SUBJECTS- PHYSIOLOGY, ANATOMY, FODDER, DAIRY SCINCE, FIRST AIDS MEDICIMI=
SURGERY, GYEANACOLOGY, PHARMACOLOGY, AND EXTENSION ETC.

TABLE -1
I
WEIGHT:- MEAN 54.69(S.D'.+_S.E. 66.81 +_1.18)
I
TABLE-2.
HAND WRITING( 67 OBSERVATIONS)
VERY GOOD 8 STUDENTS
.FAIR 30 •
GOOD 17 •
NOT GOOD 12·

GRAPHOLOGY:--
-ABILITY/DISABILITY
-SUCCESS/NON-SUCCESS
-FEELlNG,EMOTION/AUROGENT
-ALONE/QUARRELSOME
-SICK/COMPLEX ETC.

TABLE-3.1NiTIAL PROCEEDING TO TITLE STUDIES

Roll no. sentences hand writing .common spelling mistakes. Dictation mistakes completed word wise
.:minus numbe~ing plus numbering in writing bench position in class class conception ability &will
/ power gradation/percentage
TABLE 4 : FINAL PROCEEDING TO TITLE STUDIES
Roll no.name. weight. Outdoor practical performances .animal at home.
Practical record submitted-scoring data-wise. Mark.p. book.
Spot identification, mark on attendence %. ,Theory marks.
Well answered. Wrong answered.

TABLE 5:-HEIGHT APPROX 60 INCHES(HEIGHT SCALE)

•
187
 TABLE 6:~ATTENDENCE %. With class intervel and degree of freedom
(1330bervatiOns/trainiees)
10-25% 2 students/trainiees
25--40% 5 "
40-55% 18 "
55-70% 29
7~5,,!o 52 "
85-100% 27 "

TABLE 7:-VARIBLE GRADES IN DETECTATION TEST

(66 OBERVATIONS)
Grades X.( D-1,C-2,B-3,A-4,F-O) f. fx.
Medium 36.5
Or mean grade point 1.892
Le.CGRADE
"fABLE 8:BENCH POSITIONS GETTING 'C' GRADES
ROWS- (5),(7),(10),(11), MEAN UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED
WORDS
TABLE 9.-
STANDARD DEVIATIONS OF 'SENTENCES COMPLETED GROUPS'
IN DIFFERNENT BENCH POSIONS(66 OBERVATIONS)
Mean lines. cll:1SS intervel. mid-point. frequencies(f).fx .. Mean. mean deviation. d .
(a) (x) d(~a)

Fd. Efd. S.D. + S.E.

IN SHORT TABLE 9
Mean lines mean deviation S.D. +_S.E.
(a). d(x-a)
1.94 lines 29 .. 71 30.20+ 11.27
2.88 lines 18.43 14.27 "+ 3.56
3.76 lines' 21.00 21 .. 85+ 9.77
4.73 lines 23.47 24.17 _ + 5.27
5. 59 lines 12.50 13.28 + 9-:39
6.56 lines 8.50 8.70+ :f28
7.42 lines 5.50 7.08 _+ 3.16
8.33 lines 3.66 4.79+_2"16

TABLE 10. FAMILY CHOOSE OF NUMBER OF ANIMAL MAINTAINING:-

(42 OBERVATIONS)
- STUDENTSITRAINEES
1. TWO SP~CIES \ 14 (33.33%)/ .
2. ONE SPECIES 10 (23.80%)
3. NIL 7 (16.60%)
/ 6 "(14.28%)
4. THREE SPECIES
5. FOUR Sp(::CIES 5\ "(11.90%)

TABLE 11. FAMILY CHOOSE OF PARTICULAR ANIMALS MAINTAINING:-

\ (67 OBERVATIONS)
STUDENTSITRAINEES
1.CATTLE:- 24 (57.14%)
2. GOAT:- 15 (35.70%)
3.pOULTRY:- 11 I (26.19%)
4.DOG:- \ 1\ 10 (23.80%)
5.CAT :- \ 6 "(14.28%)
6.pIG:- • 4 "(9:52%)
7.DUCK:- \ 3 "(7.14%)
8.BUFFALOES:- :' 1 "(2.38%)

188
 TABLE 12:-FREQUENCIES OF TRAINING PREFERRING DOMESTIC ANIMALS
AT HOME SPECIE8-WISE:-40 OBERVATIONS
/GOAT 1.
/CATTLE 5.
CATTLE/POULTRY/DOG 2
CATTLE/POULTRY/GOA 1.
CATTLE/GOAT 4
CATTLE/DOG 5.
CATTLE/GOAT/POULTRY/CAT 1.
GOAT/POULTRY 4
CATTLE/DUCK/CAT 1
CATTLE/CAT 2.
CAT/POULTRY 1
/DUCK 3 ..
DUCK/POULTRY 1.
DOG/CAT 1
CATTLE/GOAT/POULTRY/DOG 2
DOG/CAT/POULTRY 1
CATTLE/GOAT/BUFFALO/DOG 1
JPOULTRY 1
IPIG 1.
CATTLE/CAT/DUCK 1
TABLE 13. CO RELATING THEIR HOBBIES DURING PRE-ADMISSION PERIOD(31 OBERVATIONS)

TO TAKE CARE OF ANI MAUAN IMAL REARING-4 ..TRAINEESISTUDENTS.

PLAYINGITO ENJOY PLAYING 9.
I PAINTIMG 2.
GARDENING 1.
ROAMING-ITRAVELLING 2
SINGING 2
B.B.C. NEWS 1
SOCIAL WORK 1
NIL
9
...
EI~~~~FS~~NCLUSION ,IF DRAWN FROM BOTTOM TO TOP MAY BE AS FELLOWE
1. THOUGH THEY HAVE SOME HOBBIES, THERE IS NO DEFINITE HOBE
NO. AND PLAYING ARE COMPATIBLE
2. IN REGARD OF ANIMAL MAINTAINING COMBINATIONS, IT
IS THE CATTLE/GOAT ALONG WITH FREE RANG DOG OR
POULTRY AND WITH OTHER ANIMALS
3. MOSTLY, THEIR FAMILY ARE PREFFERING TWO SPECIES (33.33%)
AT A TIME. OTHER PERCENTS ARE FOR FREE RANGING ANIMALS
4. SIGNIFICANCE CAN ALSO BE DRAWN FROM MEAN LINE
WRITING WITH ATTENDENCE PERCENT, AND GRAPHOLOGY ETC
VARIABLE GRADES THEY ARE ABLE TO SECURE IS ·C'. TYPE.

lRQ'
FOCUS ON VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION
FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

s. Thilagar
Professor and Head, Department of Clinics,
Madras Veterinary College,
Chennai 600007, INDIA.

A Veterinarian is a person who not only treats animals but also helps animals
to remain in good health. Primary object of a veterinarian is to render service to the
community by facilitating health care of animals, ensuring veterinary and public health,
caring for sick animals and alleviating their sufferings. Even though there is a steady
and speedy veterinary and animal sciences education, growth in this country, food
security and its relationship to sustainable livestock and rural development have
increasingly become matters of concern for both developing countries and as well for
the international community. While there are many complex factors that influence
sustainable development, it is clear that veterinary education in preparing veterinarian,
livestock farmers" researchers, educators, extension staff, members of veterinary
businesses and others to make productive contributors. Hence the topic chosen for
discussion is right at this juncture.
. "
Present scenario
Even though majority 'of Indian population is based at rural area, the growth in
the milk production, poultry production, and providing health servic;e to animals over
past few years appears to be a temporary achievement which benefits temporarily
the farmers without any sustainable support for future. Unfortunately, the training of
human resource in veterinary education is often not ~ high priority in the development
plan of countries. As a result, curricu!a and teaching programs are not relevant to the
production needs and employment demands , of the livestock sector and thus does
not provide any sustainable rural develqpment. Besides this, veterinary education and
veterinary services should not be centered for the sake for only employment of
veterinarian alone; which will only devel6p few individuals status but it never provide
the food security and sustainable development of the entire rural population as well
as nation. . \ i
The ,agencies like state government, eeAtralfzed sectors, academic/research/
extension vfjng of veterinary college in the SAU', .Local bodies municipality, panchayats,
, and self-efnployment are certain~area,
private sector . ,
which provide job opportunities t
for veterinarians. The present curriculum is focused to produce veterinarian with
common s~lIabus for all sectors that in turn leave unsuccessful graduates without _
any job eff!cient veterinarian in an unacceptable\sector and few in the jobs they
,
190
 desired. Hence it is high time that the institution curriculum should need regeneration
and revitalization, not"mere addition and omission of syllabus and credits

In recent years many Veterinary Colleges are modulating as separate university,

hence a program can be short out to branch out the Veterinary education in to
different categories like management husbandry degree course (BAH), veterinary
medicine course (BVM), extension worker (BVE) and researchers courses (8VR)
vath different syllabus and curriculum to suit such degree courses. Number of common
issues affects the teaching of veterinary education in developing countries currently
as well as into the next century. These issues can be categOrized in the following
groups

Contextual Constraints

Changing employment opportunities in veterinary sector.

Recent changes in employment opportunities mean that the curricula and
training programs in agriculture need to be reoriented to meet the leaming requirements
of diverse groups-unemployed and under-employed people, dismissed public sector
workers, veterinary professional seeking career changes and advancement and young
graduates seeking employment for the first time. Only by involving pot~ntial employers
in the curriculum developments processes it will be possible to ensure that veterinary
!3ducation results in gain employment gain for veterinary graduates
I

, ~udgetary and fiQancial crisis

Veterirtary edUcation is expensive. It requires teaching aids and materials,
scientific and technical equipment as well as adequately equipped training and
experimental farms. Veterinary education institutions face great difficulties in ensuring
prqperly equipped, maintained and functional laboratories and practice farms. Hence
new innovative ways of funding institutions need to be explored and as well as self-
sustained system even at the rural level has to be evolved for fee based services to
commercial livestock eoterprises. Both the faculty members of the teaching and
research programes of the centers can generate the income.

Marginalization of livestock and rural life; Increase of urban-based students

Policies and strategies need to be developed that ensure representation of
/ rural youth in higher education. Bright but economically disadvantaged students need
access to education'. Quotas or community representation schemes are one means
to ensure opportunities for rural youth. Intellectually capable rural youth lacking academic
skills may require an adjustment period and make,..up year to meet standards. Similarly,
llrban youth may need to obtain veterinary and animal husbandry competencies
through mandatory internships and systematic exposure to rural life.

191
The relationship between veterinary education, research and extension
With few exceptions, the institutional relationship between veterinary teaching,
research and extension services are in adequate. In many countries this is the result
of the deliberate separation of education, research and extension into different
departments or units and agencies and a lack of functional mechanism to link them
together to solve problems. In this circumstances extension officer can be educated
with special focus to veterinary services by framing separate syllabus covering
extension and other animal husbandry subjects. A short courses of continuing education
can be designed to update extension/education should, wherever possible, making
use of farmers associations, veterinary associations, commercial enterprises and
research and extension centers.

Changes to curricular content and emphasis Rapid scientific progress and

technical change
New global developments in science and technology have profound implications
for veterinary education institutions. New advance in science and technology influence
the subject matter,and types of courses students need to understq(ldtgday in 'livestock
sector. Animal by-products processing, post harvest technology biotechnology animal
husban.dry business management, farming system management, Veterinary medical
equipment, use of medicinal plants in animal treatment and biomedical waste control
are some of the areas whichneed to be incorporated into curricula.,These subjects
will attract increasing numbers of students, as new employment opportunities are
created, which demand expertis,e in these fields. More focus may be given for newer
area and new species where the graduates can attain knowledge and as well as
practice dn the developing area. "

eval~,ation process
l
Uniform syllabus and
I
Change of syllabus curriculunl,basec:J on the employment opportunities must
be uniformly followed to suit our gradh,ates inside the country / as well as out side
the country. Many v.eterinary colleges follow syllabus with slight modification in credits.
The clinical exposure with all modern treatment to be offered for veterinary graduates
during the final last one year without any 'theory p~pers. The assessment must be
done based on the ability to solve problem? and clinical diagnosis. Some subjects
are exposed to the students on two occasioQs\as a repetition in the syllabus i.e. in
the basic science sector\and clinical scienc~ sectored physiology, biochemistry and
anatomy-these subjects need to be educated aSiblinical physiology clinical biochemistry
and clinical anatomy to understand better '
I

I
192 '
 Changes to educational process
A separate course for veterinary science and animal husbandry and new
degree program for extension worker need be implemented The need to revise the
pre-service education for both veterinary science, and other needed course need be
emphasized Meeting these challenges will require new educational strategies;
innovative leaderships and institutional reforms that take into account the current
trends and factors that influence livestock education and rural development.

Supporting staff education

Presently the supporting staff employed in the veterinary services sectors are
with only matriculation qualification and less with out skill oriented qualification. A
separate curriculum has to be evolved to tra,in these staff to suit in the clinical,
laboratory, research and extension services. The university may offer these 'courses

Conclusion
Veterinary education curricula need to be redirected to address the labor
demands of the private se9tor. Curricular reorientation will need to incorporate both
the new role of market-oriented, livestock as well as issues of direct relevance to food
s~curity and rural poverty. Curricula are also needed to reflect the importance of
social and environment issues for sustainable livestock development. Meaningful
curricular revisions will require a better understanding and incorporation of the
'underlying psychological processes that influenc~ learning, with special attention to
experimental learning and participatory learning strategies that focus on inductive
reasoning skills.

Inter-university alliances offer means to capitalize on individual university/con

strengths and reduce costs reflected in the duplication of efforts. Regional collabora
strategies should be explored as a means to keep pace with accelerated scien
advancement. A commitment to the development communication infrastruetl
especially with regards to the new computer based communication technolog
should be a priority, because of its potential to reduce the information gap.

.
. 193 '
.RINARY SERVICE AND WORLD TRADE

Dr. B. Sethuraman
General Manager
National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
Chennai 600 002

culture has grown from its position to indystrial status. Thanks to

10rt from our Government and excellent research by our scientists.
population of the country still depends on agriculture and this sector
ployment to about 64% of the work force. The distinct feature of
is its diversity like the varied agro-climatic conditions, different soil
regions etc. India produces a variety of cereal crops, pulses,
plantation crops, fruits, flowers and vegetables of almost all varieties.
Nell developed allied agriculture sector, Its productivity in poultry is
ly advanced countries; it's dairy sector making it number one in
<in the world. A growing pisciculture both inland and marine with
,tential due to large number of water bodies and long coastline rich
cinal and aromatic plants is waiting to be exploited.

Agriculture
Ire of world agriculture export Itrade remains at a very poor level of
m1 billion world trade. Over a period of tim!3 our share of world trade
)Qrts has shown a declining trend despite the inherent strength of

ted that with the i.Jshering in of WTO era, our prospects of exporting
10dities will improye but this has n9t happened. Developed nations
je substantial amount of subsidy to their farmers and take reCOl,Jrse
Jstify their action. W,e have to be ever Vigilant in the changing world
IUt forth our arguments but we have no alternative but to export, to
\
lomy.
'.
, \

achieve this objective' ~nd to face global competition, we have to

the sector specific problems we face. These include inadequate
Ir infrastructure, need for qhange ,n Government policies and faster
dern technology and change\in our extension services.
, '
institutions have a multiface~ed role to play in export promotion.
just a lender, bankers should ,get involved and help this sector by.,
for further growth and exchange of technical market information.
lising sectors in the export front fromour point of view are explained -
\ 0 I

194
Animal Husbandry

Dairy sector

India's exports in dairy products is limited only to butter and ghee and negligible
quantities of SMP (Skim milk powder) and WMP (Whole milk powder), wro provisions,
inter-alia, may affect the Indian dairy industry in woways i.e. the industry may have
to compete in the intemational market with established players like EU, USA, Australia,
New Zealand, etc., some of which have cost advantage and the domestic dairy
industry may have to compete with cheaper imported products (after 2006 when
bound rate will be 0%) in the domestic market.

At the ground level bankers were hitherto financing mainly purchase of milch
animals under this banner. With the public sector procurement agencies failing in
their operation, it is important that private sector is encouraged to take over and adopt
newer technology and go in for value addition. There are wo levels of attempting this
change over. As milk production is still the small farmers' domain, we should
encourage cottage level milk processing units as the micro level to attend to our own
consumption needs~

It means encouraging manufacture of traditional type of products at the farmers'

level. For export we have to encourage larger units with modem machinery to go in
,!for value added products of high standards like the 'food grade casein'. The main
I constraints to be dealt with are

1. Our productivity per animal is dismally low. We have to pay attention to this
urgently and aim at financing formation of nuclei of high quality stock even if
we have to resort to import of superior germplasm. In other words, from the
present average milk yield of 7-8 litres per day, we need animals capable of
producing 40-45 litres per day. This will bring down our cost of production. We
also should pay attention to nutritional and health cover aspects to take care
of these animals.

2. Our traditional milk products are accepted in only some parts of the world. To
meet our immediate export aims, this may be concentrated on. But ultimately •
we have to pay attention to higher technology and go in for milk products,
which are relished in the western countries. Whatwe need is market intelligence
and technology to produce what the market wants.

3. We also have to reduce the cost of procurement and processing costs in this
--r - industry to make us competitive in the world.

4. Quality is one aspect where we need stringent controls and punishments.

'195
}"1 .
Poultry sector

The sector has consolidated its position during the last few years as smalle
units closed down and integration became the byword. Our eggs have a pricE
advantage over the international prices and productivity of our farmers is equal tv
international standards. But infrastructure for ensuring quality like cleaning, packing
and grading are not available. Eggs are also not stored in cold storage right from day
one. As on date, the units are producing eggs for domestic market. Given adequate
support and direction, they can be made to produce for international market. However,
micro level adulterants like DDT in the poultry products make our produce suitable
for limited markets only like the middle cast. We need to do more research in
improving this position and avoid such deficiencies. This is possible in the long run.

If poultry sector has to become competitive, the feed ingredients of poultry like
maize and soybean have to be available cheaply. Maize productivity in our country is
only one sixth of developed countries and this has to be tackled urgently. We export
24 million tones of soybean cake to Europe. We can export eggs or chicken meat
instead of soyabean-cake if we remove the above mentioned constraints.

The industry has some advantages like lower labour cost, steady improvement
in mechanisation al")d productivity. Contract farming has taken root thus paving way
for enjoying the bene[!ts of economics of scale. Thailand, China and Brazil are the
biggest exporters of poultry products but they have now developed limitations because
of rise in labour costs and other economic situations. In a global poultry bazaar,
Indian eggs are cheapest at 50 cents a kg. At the other end, eggs are costliest in
Argentina with price of 145 cents per kg. The prices of eggs in different countries are
as follows. U.S.A. - 80 cents, France -102 cents, Holland - 96 cents, Japa\;l-127
cents, New Zealand - 136 cents, Taiwan. - 108 cents, Great Britain - 102 cents; In
near by Sri Lanka - 58 cents, Bangladesh - 117 cents and Pakistan - 87 cents. India
also has the advantage of close physical proximityto the Middle East, CIS countries
and Japan for exports of meat and poultry products. Similarly, in case of poultry meat
also our efforts at cost reduction ar~\Yielding results and there are some attempts
to export chicken meat. As there is interest in organic chicken meat, we should try
to establish·sources for supply of these, from our backyard farms without sacrificing
the quality aspect. These efforts need to be supplementeq with support from bankers.
Poultry is neither given the concessions of~griculture nor the concessions of industry.
, \ I
The sector also needs infrastructure'like egg cleaning and packing units, cold
chains and other service providers to becom~, a vibrant export oriented sector. Brand
development is anothe~'aspect, which has not,'been paid adequate attention. Meat of
other aniriJals also has good potential in world market, as consumers prefer our type ~,
of lean mJat. We have to make our country. free from communicable
!
animal diseases
to,make tlilis an attractive item for foreign consumer. -

~-\ ' 196'

Meat Sector
Though we have 3600 slaughter houses most of them use primitive technology.
We need to convert at least some of them into scientific abattoirs and develop cold
chains. Quality of animal herds apart from milk herds has been paid little attention
resulting in low efficiency of feed conversion and poor ratio of lean to fat. For tropical
countries with limited grass production due to dry seasons, animal feed is a limiting
factor. Lack of veterinary support and paucity of funds with poor producers play havoc
with meat production and its quality.,Use of byproducts is limited, increasing cost of
meat production. The opportunities for processing are good even though meat
processing is in the unorganized sector. There is growing demand for branded items.

Fine-tuning the profession

The veterinarians have the responsibility not only to protect the sector from
disease and perils but al~o to give a direction to its growth. The following factors are
going to influence the future of this sector.

1. Government Extension machinery is getting privatized. So in future veterinary

clinics will come up in the private sector. Farmer expects it at his doorstep.
Advice will not be on technical aspects only but also on financial aspects.
Farmers will look for a consultant who can treat his animals and also help him
, to maximize his profits. We can learn from the experience of other countries
f
I
where Government department has been converted to farmers' advisory
I services. This means that veterinarians have to reorient themselves and see
what does the farmer expect. Mere treatment may not satisfy the customers.

. At present our graduates are going out to the society with the idea of being advisors
and employees. We have to help them become good entrepreneurs from now
onwards,. as there is need for technical persons to become entrepreneurs.

2. Exporting what is surplus in our country is no more possible. We have to

identify what is needed in the world and how good are we in producing it. What
to produce is a major question farmers want to know. What are the prevailing
prices in other countries? What does a consumer in a foreign market wants
are all information required by the farmers. If international prices are high for
organic eggs then we have to advise the farmers to produce it cheaply. The
strategy for export will have to be implemented from the place of production
itself. Veterinarians will have to provide such information also to the customers.

When we talk of export quality assurance follows automatically. With a very

competitive trade, foreign buyers for rejecting our goods. quote often-unrelated
reasons. Often countries fix a standard more stringent than the internationally
accepted norms like in the case of tolerable levels of pesticides by European

197
 Union. We need to establish laboratories of international repute and have all
the technology to identify contaminants/pollutants. Even here there is no
uniformity. While western countries are sensitive to Salmonella contamination
we find that countries like Japan are more worried about Coliformis and
Clostridium. We have so far little attention to HACCP and standardization.
This area needs special attention from veterinarians.

4. Today's trade is very dynamiC. Opening up the economy exposes us to dangers.

China can send cheaper milk to India and kill our dairy industry if the profession
is not careful to realize the danger and take preventive steps. The steps have
to be taken over a period of time and this calls for constant vigil. Many countries
attempt to dump their surplus goods on other countries and undercut the
industries in the importing nations. We have to be ready for fighting them with
scientific data of their country also. For example if we have to impose an
antidumping duty on US chicken meat then we should know their cost of
production to prove that they are dumping. In other words it is necessary to
know the status of the industry in all the countries and maintain 'data.

5. Many of the decisions taken by Government are all based on analysiS of data
provided by the technical experts. The sector needs advise on a constant
basis for meeting its challenges. Again need for analysis and knowledge will
, have to be met by our profession only.

6. With the vast techni,cal potential we have, we hav~ to planlor becoming the
source for vaccines and medicines. We are importin'g vaccines, feed additives
and medicines. It is possible to become the forerunner in this field, if we·
develop our skills and capacities.

7. The bio-diversity we have in plants is also there in the animal kingdom. It is

important that we preserve'the genetiC respurces that we have, as we are not
I
were have they can be used in future in the field of genetiC engineering. We
have to be cautious and exploit our resources for the benefit of our country
rather than allow some one ~Ise to exploit us.

Conclusion

The expectations from the veterinary profeSSion are increasing from our society.
As agriculture sector gets more and more 'Gomme'rcialized, the veterinarian also has
to change to help producer for all needs. It IS ~ecessary that we build up knowledge
among oyrselves on all related fields so that '-t:Ie can provide a one-stop shop ~or our
custome/s. ' '\
 IMPACT OF WTO ON VETERINARY SERVICES IN INDIA

S.Bala Ravi *

Livestock husbandry is an integral part of Indian agriculture. This component

is important in providing sustainable livelihood support to the small and marginal
farmers, with their number ever increasing under continuous fragmentation of farm
holding and its diminishing size. This critical role being played by the livestock in the
agrarian economy of India across historical time is largely responsible for the huge
livestock population comprising multiple species, each of which with wide diversity in
breeds and strains adapted to different agro-ecological situations. Consequently, Indian
livestock diaspora presents a large genetic variability in all major species for several
adaptive traits, although more often not in productive traits. Many of these adaptive
traits, particularly those related to resistance to diseases and parasites as well as
certain other rare qualities are assuming global importance with the emergence of
genetic engineering. Thanks to the minimal crossbreeding efforts and genetic
enhancement efforts gone into Indian livestock, much of its native variability is being
conserved in many indigenous breeds and strains.

Veterinary services, in broad sense, include livestock management comprising

health care and genetic upgradation, production management, product value addition
,and marketing with a view to enhance the economic advantage from the livestock.
'The emerging globalization and associated international treaties, agreements and
conventions as well as the national legislations, which have been and will be putting
in place in compliance with India's international commitments are likely to influence
the various aspects of national veterinary services in different ways.

Convention on Biological Diversity and Biological Diversity Act

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) declared sovereign rights of I
states over their biological and genetiC resources [1]. It also stipulates that access
to genetiC resources can only occur on mutually agreed terms with the prior and
informed consent of States [2]. The Indian legislation, Biological Diversity Act, 2002
enacted accordingly provides to establish national sovereignty over its biological
,resources and its genetic diversity and a three tier biodiversity management-cum-
_, regulatory authority at the Central, S~ate and Panchayat levels with mandate to
determine mutually agreed terms for allowing access to biological components with
prior infonned consent, for conservation, sustainable utilization of biological resources
and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their commercial utilization [3].
Accgrdingly,
..... ---:-
all indigenous livestock breeds and· strains inter alia their genetiC material
Director (Biodiversity) & Former Assistant Director General (IPR), ICAR, M.S.Swaminathan Research
Foundation, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai- 600 113, Email: sbala@mssrf.res.in

199
are legally inacGessible to other States or to non-Indian individuals or institutions
without prior approval for the same from the National Biodiversity Authority. In corollary,
India's access to the livestock genetic stocks, their semen or cell lines from other
States have also to be on similar legal process, possibly involving mutually agreed
terms, often including payment of royalty fee.

This legislation together with the rich livestock diversity India has offers new
opportunities. Animal production system in developed countries is bred on a narrow
genetic base, which is very often vulnerable to serious disease and parasite outbreak.
The recent outbreak of mad cow disease and foot and mouth disease in Europe and
consequent slaughter of millions of cattle heads to contain the disease and the
embargo imposed on livestock product trade illustrate the magnitude of economic
loss possible form such narrow base in animal breeds. Intensive farming with excessive
use of drugs and vaccines invites additional problems from development of drug
resistant strains of pathogens. This is illustrated with drug resistance in protozoa
responsible for animal trypanosomiasis, vaccine resistance in Marek's disease virus
in poultry and ne,matode resistance to anthelminties. Interaction between severe
endemic diseases and parasites existing in tropical countries and the rich livestock
genetic diversity available in these regions at species, breed and within breed levels
leads to valuable adaptation of indigenous breeds and strains with variable levels of
resistance or tolerance most of the diseases and parasites. For example, the Red
Maasai sheep of Kenya is far more resistant to round worm and produces three
times more meat than the improved Dorper breed. Identification of such adaptive and
unique genes from the national livestock genetic diversity will be bf high economic
significance in times of intellectual property rights on genes, genomes and stocks.

Indian Patent Act and TRIPS

Trade Related aspects of intellectual ProsPierity Rights (TRIPS) is one of the
Agreements bound to the World TrCide Agreement [4]. TRIPS are reckoned to hav~
profound impact on animal health care, their genetic improvement, development of
value added livestock products and their trade. This impact may be better appreciated
wittran understanding of the relevant part of the Indian Patent Act (IPA), 1970 which
is currently in vogue and applicable to the domains under discussion. India is required
to be totally TRIPS compliant by 2005. \
I

According to the IPA, 1970 patent is not allowed "to any process for the
medicinal, surgical, curative, prophYlactic''Qr\oth~r treatments ...... of animals or
plants to render them free of disease or to increase their economic value or that of
their prodl.Jcts" [5]. Further, this Act states that.ln the case of substances intended for }
use or capable of being used as food or as medicine or drug or relating to substances
prepared or produced by chemical processes, onlY.methods or process of manufacture _
are patentable
.
[6]. The patents
I
9n chemical processes
, .
used for manufacture of food
. I ,

200
 substances, medicine or drug is valid for a period of seven years from the date of
filing the patent application or five years from the date of sealing the patent, whichever
is earlier. All exclusive right granted under this Act to the patent holder is subjected
to compulsory license, license of right and revocation. In effect, all these provisions
in the IPA, 1970 dilutes the monopolistic hold the patentee may sway over public and
facilitate larger public good from a patent.

With India's commitment to totally comply with the TRIPS by 2005, a paradigm
change is expected in animal healthcare, livestock research including genetic
upgradtion, drug and vaccine development and development of value added livestock
products and their trade. TRIPS demand rewriting of above discussed provisions of
the IPA, 1970 to extend patentability to all inventions, both processes and products,
from a" fields of science and technology [7]. While TRIPS is not insisting on patent
for plants and animals produced by essentially biological processes, it deems grant
of patent to microorganisms, microbiological and non-biological processes [8]. Under
TRIPS regime, all patents shall have a minimum of 20 years validity period with no
scope for license of right and limited scope for compulsory licensing.

The patent for product and process, the longer duration of patent validity
period and diminished scope for compulsory licensing have serious potential to
promote monopolistic marketing right on new drugs and vaccines with consequent
dangers of high drug prices and exclusion of other researchers form entering the
patented domains. With the increasing shift to molecular approach in drug development,
the concern that few of the transnational drug companies, who have resource and
research leadership in this area may establish their monopolistic sway over most of
the new generation veterinary drugs is not out of place. In this context, strengthening
national capability in new drug development and assessment of indigenous genetic
diversity in various livestock for tolerance or resistance to important diseases and
harnessing such variability to improve the stock, which may reduce high dependability f
on drugs deserve importance as a long-term strategy.

Molecular medicine has pushed the importance of genomics in healthcare of

human and animals. The human genome project has led to .the scramble for patenting
of several genes having immediate and futuristic potential in drug development. Animal
scientists in USA are currently planning on decoding genomes of cow and pig, while
the Australians are keen on the genome of Kangaroo. The cow genome enthusiasts
, hope to make beef less fat but still tender and tasty and also to breed cattle selectively
." for meat, dairy or draught. Patenting of microbial and viral genome sequences is
likely to prevent their access for drug or vaccine development. In these days of bio-
resource piracy and patenting researchers and policy makers have to be alert in
pretv.enting piracy of our livestock genetic wealth, give priority for the· identification of
ch~racters unique to each breed or strain and characterize such genes with our
limited capability, until we can take up their genome analysis. While we have premier
201
'--""'./

I
research institutions in animal drug and vaccine development, their competitiveness
shall be put to great challenge from the transnational drug companies. Adequate
public funding, excellence and efficiency liberated from bureaucratic management
are imperative for successful survival under the emerging competitive scenario.

The impact of TRIPS on value addition and trade on livestock products may
be immediate and deep. Existing patent on several value addition processes and
products may severely restrict India's trade opportunities at home and abroad. Unless
national R&D system is geared up to address this challenge effectively, our producers
shall remain excluded from the due economic gains of value addition. Notwithstanding
the sea change undergone in the Indian animal production scenario, such as production
of milk, meat, egg, wool and hides, much of the trade is internal and on primary
products. For example, while milk production has made a two-and-a-half fold increase
from 34.3 m t in 1981 to 85 m tin 2002, it is not value added to a standard to trade
outside. Nearly 55 % of the milk is produced by buffaloes and about 42 % by the
cows. Similarly, meat production during the same period increased more than two
fold from 2.71 m t to 5.74 m t with poultry meat registering a ten fold increase from
0.14 m t to 1.4 m t. India is successful in exporting bovine meat to selected foreign
market to the extent that it currently corners 39 % of the export share of developing
countries. Similarly, egg production during this period increased more than three fold
from 0,.60 mt to 2.0 m\,with no tangible establishment of trans-border trade. India's
trade competitiveness largely suffer from technology gap in value addition, cost
competitiveness and sanitary , and phytosanitary standards.
\ I

Globally livestock and 'livestock products (LLPs) account for about one-sixth
of the trade in agricultural produce in value terms. Developed countries control about
75% of t~is trade and 90 % of their trade is among themselves. Within the LLPs, the
meat export takes predominant position claiming about half of the, export value followed
by the diary products, which share one third of the export value. Bovine, pig and
poyltry meat gain importance, in that order. DUring-the last decade the highest growth
rate among LLPs in world trade is for poultry meat (14%) followed by the pig meat
(6%). The annual growth rate in trade).,in value terms, during the last decade for diary
products is 3. Despite the impressive progress achieved in animal production, India
is a net importer of LLPs. \

Agreement on Agriculture \ i

Th~ Agreement on Agriculture (A~A)~Which is also part of the Marrakesh·

Agreemer;1t [4], affirms. to establish a fair ari~ market oriented agricultural trading
system wi~ a long term 'objective to..~ubstantial,progressive reductions in agricultural" \
support a~d protection sustained over an agreed period of time, resulting in correcting
and preventing restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets. The three_
main elements identified to ensure fair trading system under this Agreement are:
~~ , J I

. \ Ii 202
'\
•

(1) Substantial improvement in market access,

(2) Substantiafreduction in trade-distorting domestic support, and

(3) Reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies.

The AoA also provides special and differential treatments as concessions and
commitments to developing countries as an integral part of the negotiation to effectively
account for their development needs, including food security and rural development [9].

Major issue that had been confronting the global trade on agriculture is the
extremely uneven playground for the developed and developing countries. United
States of America (USA) and European Union (EU) together take major share in
global trade on agricultural commodity. Much of the EU trade is among it members
with participation of a few non-EU countries. Developed country markets are structured
with tariff lines and tariff quota systems as well as non-tariff barriers, including country
specific sanitary and phytosanitary standards [10], which severely restrict access of
agricultural commodities from developing countries. Most of these countries, which
are members of the DECO club very heavily support their domestic agriculture,
which is far beyond, the cost of farming incurred by farmers from the developing
countries. For example, these countries are together-provide a huge US $ 360 billion
support annually to their agriculture, with USA alone annually supporting its agriculture
with about US $ 184 b [11]. It is estimated that the total annual subsidy on livestock
ih Europe is about US $ 300 per head of cow.
I

Domestic ?upports to agriculture under AoA are discussed in three categories

depending on their trade distorting effect. These three categories are popularly called
the 'Green Box', 'Blue Box' and 'Amber Box' supports. Domestic support allowed
under Green Box is cqnsidered to have no or the most minimal trade distorting
effects. The supports in this box would include [12]:
I

f'". i. Research, general, environment related or product-specific,

ii. Pests and disease control including quarantine, early warning and
eradication,

iii. Training, general or specialized,

iv. Extension services linking researcher, producer and consumer,

v. Inspection services embracing health, safety, grading and standardization

aspects,
. - t· vi. Marketing and promotion services,

203
 vii. Infrastructure services that may facilitate agricultural production, sanitary
standards and marketing,
,
viii. Public stock holding for food security purposes in developing countries
with transparency in operation,

ix. Domestic food aid to section of population who are eligible by defined
criteria,

x. Direct payment to producers for revenue foregone or as allowable under

specified criteria,

xi. Decoupled income support determined on defined criteria considering,

income, status of producer or land owner, factor use, production level
fixed for base period, etc.,

xii. Income insurance and safety-net to farmers in the event of income loss
from farming,

xiii. Direct or indirect payment made for relief from natural disasters,

xiv. Structural adjustment assistance provided through producer retirement

programmes and investment aids,

xv. Payment under environmental programmes based on defined

environmental ,or conservation programmes, I I

xvi. Payment under regional assistance programmes to producers in ~

disadvantaged regions.

The Blue box supports include direct paymef.Jt to farmers for limiting production
with payment being made on fixed areas, yield levels or fixed number of livestock.
/'
\
The Amber box supports include price support to producers by administered
prices of farm produces,.
which are -,higher than market prices, concessional or
\

subsidized prices for production input~ or direct payment by the government.

The AoA allows uncapped domestiC support under the Green Box and seeks
to progressively reduce supports under Arpber bo,x by a calculation using Aggregate
Measure of Support (AMS) and those und~r \he Blue Box. The present agricultural
production systems, on the one side, in developed countries are supported by huge
domesticj support alon'g with high export subsidies and, on the other, in developing
countrie~ are supported by no or meager suppprt, with most of them under pressure
from the !3retton Wood institutions to dismantle their support to agriculture under the
structural adjustment programmes. Notwithstanding the existence of WTO since
, I - I' •
"
..........
~
\
204
 1995, the levels of domestic support being allowed by developed countries have not
been reduced substantially. The major change happening is shifting of their supports
from amber and blue boxes to green box and legitimizing the support as AoA compliant.
The strong resentment for cutting back domestic support in EU is evident in the
recent conclave on the EU Common Agricultural Policy

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

The third Agreement attached to the WTA, which is also part of the AoA vide
Article 14 is the Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures
(SPS measures). SPS Measures have emerged as a strong non-tariff barrier to
developing countries in agricultural commodity trade, particularly on the animal products.
This agreement primarily aims at protection of human, animal or plant life or health
by advocating harmonized benchmarks in sanitary and phytosanitary measures using
international standards, guidelines and recommendations developed by Codex
Aliment~rius Commission, the International Office of Epizootics and the International
Plant Protection Convention. The latitude provided under this Agreement for countries
to decide and revise their SPS standards offers opportunity to use this as an
acceptable non-tariff barrier. The Agreement while stating that countries shall base
their SPS measures on intemational standards, guidelines or recommendations, where
they exist, also allows them to introduce and maintain SPS measures which result
,in ~a higher level of sanitary or phytosanitary protection than would be achieved by
I measures based on the relevant international standards, guidelines or
recommendations. This Agreement calls for elaborate and precise risk analysis for
pests and diseases, recognition of pest and disease-free areas and areas of low pest
or disease prevalence for basing export oriented production, processing, etc.

The current international SPS standards set by Codex Alimentarius Commission

and the International Office of Epizootics is far stringent for most of the developing
countries in terms of sanitary regulations, inspection procedures, production and
quarantine protocols, pesticide and chemical contamination, nature of additives used,
rjsk assessment procedures and the analytical precision required. They need to
create vast infrastructure and considerable capability at huge cost to achieve, maintain
and satisfy these levels of SPS standards. This apart, the multiplicity of small producers
and processing units creates additional problems for developing countries in conSistently
maintaining these standards ..

In this context of SPS standards, assessment of Indian livestock production,

quality and processing would reveal the distance India has to travel to reach the
international market. There is a national urgency in creating quality consciousness all
.., acrqssthe production, processing, and marketing chain, creating institutional capability
in quality inspection, assurance and maintenance and capacity building to production
and processing parties. "
205
Citations

[1] CBO Article 3. Principle. States have, in accordance with the chapter of the
United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit
their own resources pursuant to their environmental policies, and the responsibility to
ensure their activities within their jurisdictions or controlled do not cause damage to
the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
Article 15. 1. Recognizing the sovereign rights of States over their natural resources,
the authority to determine access to genetic resources rests with the national
governments and is subject to national legislation.

[2]. CBO Article 15.5. Access to genetic resources shall be subject to priori .
informed consent of the Contracting Party providing such a resources, unless otherwise
determined by that Party.

[3]. Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was brought to the Indian statute, its rules
have been published by nodal department under the Ministry of Environment and
Forests, Government of India, but yet to be enforced.

[4]. Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is one of

the several agreements bound to the World Trade Agreement (WTA) concluded at
Marrakesh in 1994. "

[5]. Section (3) (i) of Indian Patent Act, 1970. Inventions not patentable
include any process for medicinal, surgical, curative, prophylactic pr treatment of
human beings or any process for a similar treatment of animals or plants to
render them free of disease or1to increase their economic value or that of their
products.'

[6]. Section (5) of Indian Patent Act, 1970. lr;lVentions are only methods or
processes of manufacture patental?le. In the case of inventions - (a) claiming
substances intended for use, or capable of being used as food or as medicine or
drug, or (b) relating to substances p~pared or produced by chemical processes
(including alloys, optical glass, semi-conductors and inter-metallic compounds), no
patent shall be granted in respect of cla,im for the substances themselves but
claims for the methods or processes of manufacture shall be patentable.

[7]. Article 27 of TRIPS. Patent shail, be av~ilable for any inventions,

whether products or processes, in all fields\9f\technology, provided they are new
involved and inventive s~ep and are capable Of industrial application. _

[8]. ~rticle 27 (3) of TRIPS. Members may also exclude from patentability: (a)
diagnostic~ therapeutic and surgical methods:for,treatment of humans and animals:
(b) Plants ~nd animals othrr tha~ microorganisms, apd essentially biological proce~ses -

~ \ .206: ' \ '

for the production of plants or animals other than non-biological and micro-biological
processes. However, 'Member shall provide for the protection of plant varieties either
by patents or by an effective sui generis system or by any combination thereof.

[9]. Agreement on Agriculture. Article 15. Special and Differential Treatments.

(1). In keeping with the recognition of differential and more favourable treatment for
developing country members is an integral part of the negotiation, special and differential
treatment in respect of communities shall be provided as set out in the relevant
provisions of this agreement and embodied in the Schedules of concessions and
commitments. (2). Developing country Members shall have the flexibility to implement
reduction commitments over a period of up to 10 years. Least developed country
Members shall not be required to undertake reduction commitments.

(11]. US Farm Bill, 2002.

[12]. Please see,Agreement on Agriculture, Article 6 and Annex-2.

207
 GLOBALISATION OF TRADE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
ON LIVESTOCK SECTOR IN INDIA AND TAMIL NADU

C.Ramasamy and K.N.Selvaraj

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-3
c_ramasamy@yahoo.com; selvarajkn@yahoo.co.in

I. Introduction
Country to protect the livestock sector from any adverse impact has followed
projectionist measures like tariff and non-tariff (quantitative restriction or non-tariff
barriers) in the early years. Since early 1990s Indian economy has been consequently
undergoing reforms and main objective of these reforms is to shift from inward
oriented policies to liberalised policy by integrating domestic economy with world
economy through deregulation and competition. The protectionist environment that
the Indian livestock industry enjoyed for long time has began to dismantle. The
Government of India has placed the whole range of livestock products under the
category of Open General Licence (OGL), also called the 'Free List', as per decision
of Appellate body of WTO. This raises several questions: what are the implications'
of the removal of QRs to the domestic livestock industry, what are the challenges
faced by the Indian livestock\.industry due to external competition, and what kind of
the policy measures should be taken so that the industry can i'1tegrate to the
globalisation process. The pape~ is outlined into five sections'. The section I outlin'es
the importance of the problem, II deals with the growth of domestic industry, III
highlights the trade and competitiveness of the livestock products, IV presents the
implication's of trade on the domestic livestock sector due to tariffication, .export
subsidies and sanitary measures arid final section Rrovides major conclusions.
. \
II. Growth of Domestic Production \

A. Country's Perfo,:"ance \
Milk production in the country grew at the rate of 4.61 per cent annum with
high variability of 27.22 per cent between the period, 1980-81 and 2000~01 and the
average production per year during this penod ras'54.86 million tonnes (Table 1).
Tough absolute production of milk increased ill-,the post liberalisation period, the rate
of growth was lesser thap the pre liberalisatid~ period. Milk production in the pre
liberalisatio~ period recoraed 5.14 per cent, while in the post liberalisation period it
registered 4;.27 per cent per annum. Average annual production of milk during the
1 Paper presented at Symposium on ·Veterinary Educatidn and Serivces in India - Global Challenges"
1'leld at Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600 007, ]lh',and 8th July 2003
~ \ . ~08 :
pre-era was 44.02 million tonnes and it was 69.32 million tonnes during the post era.
The variability in milk production in the post-era was lesser, while the variability was
higher in the pre liberalisation period.

Egg and broiler production has now turned out to be a highly organised
agribusiness with an estimated capital investment of Rs.1 00 bill., contributing Rs.11 0
bill to the gross national product (GNP), and employing around 1.5 million people,
mostly in rural areas (Mehta, 2002). Egg production in the country grew at the rate
of 5.89 per cent per annum with variability of 33.03 per cent between the period 1980-
81 and 2000-01 and the average production per year during this period was 21 085.29
million number. Production of egg also increased in absolute terms during 1990s but
its rate of growth is lesser as compared to 1980s. Average annual egg production
was 16077.92 million numbers during 1980s, while it was 27761.78 million numbers
during 1990s. Egg production in the pre liberalisation period recorded a growth rate
of 7.71 per cent, while in the post liberalisation period it registered 4.23 per cent per
annum. The variability in egg production in the post - era was lower, while the variability
was higher in the pre liberalisation period with 25.76 per cent.

A peculiar feat~re of the poultry industry in India is that it is highly fragmented.

There are thousand independent poultry producers. There is little or no promotion of
brcmds in the egg or chicken meat sector. There are also significant variations in
poultry across regions. The four southern states - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala
arid Tamil Nadu - account for about 45 per cent of the country's egg production, with
q' per capita consumption of 57 eggs and 0.5 kg of broiler meat. The eastern and
central regions account for about 20 per cent of egg production with a per capita
'consumption of 18 eggs and 0.13 kg of broiler meat. The northern and western
regions record much higher figures than eastern and central regions with respect to
per capita availability of egg and broiler meat (Mehta, 2002).

Poultry sector has an enormous potential to improve the socio-economic status

'of rural population. Poultry farming is labour-intensive, requires minimum capital, and
ensures quick returns. It thus helps to improve the quality of rural population. Estimates
show that it has a potential to create as many as 25000 additional jobs on the
consumption of one more egg per head, and 20,000 additional jobs on the consumption
of 50 grams of more chicken meat per head (Mehta, 20002: Poulty Times of India,
2002). It has thus tremendous potential to create non-farm employment, and check
"migration from rural to urban areas.
Fish production in the country witnessed 5.11 growth rate per cent annum with
an annual production of 3915.95 thousand tonnes and variability of 30.39 per cent
between the period 1980-81 and 2000-01. Average annual fish production in the
--+ -
country increased to 5119.56 thousand tonnes during 1990s from 3013.25 thousand
tonnes in 1980s. Growth of fish production during 1980s was 5.14 per cent, while it
209
was 3.24 per cent during 1990s. The variability in fish production in the post-era was
also lesser, while the variability was higher in the pre liberalisation period with 19.61
percent.

B. State Performance

(i) Milk Production

Tamil Nadu is one of the important milk producing state in the country. The
milk production in the state has increased fro 11) 3.29 million tonnes in 1986-,87 to 4.57
lakh tonnes in 1999-2000. The states' share in the country's milk production is around
6 percent. The demand for animal protein, milk animal protein, milk and milk products
is on the rise besides offering tremendous Potential for export earnings. The per
capltE .oo.U~ .re.L;!!.tlr.aooem nf !b.e .st.ai.e .is 22D g.t-ns per oay. But the state's per capjta
availability of milk is only 203 gms/day which ill less than the country's average (214
gms/day). It is a positive sign that the demanCl-supply gap for milk and availability is
getting narrowed in recent years. It could be Seen that the estimated gap was about
0.8 million tonnes at 1997-98 level. However, the gap has narrowed in recent years.
Cows contributed more than buffaloes to total milk production in the state. Of the total
milk production in the state, the cow milk conbibuted 61 per cent and· buffalo milk 39
per cent. With respect to yield, large variation are noticed between the exotic varieties
. and local breed. In respect of cows, the exotic varieties recorded an average yield
rate of 6 kgs per day, while it was less than ~.6 kgs for indigenous breeds.
" I
Among the various agro climatic zon~s, milk production was the highest in
North Eastern Zone with the share of 29 per cent. The milk production has increased
from 0.82 million tonnes in 1986-87 to 1.36 million tonnes in 1999-:2000. The annual
growth ra,ie of milk production in this perioq was 3.75 per cent. Next major milk
producing region is Southern Zori~ with thE! share, of 25 Iper ,cent in state's milk
production. The annual growth rate bf this region was 1.76 per cent (Table 2). The,se
two regions account for more than 50.per cent of the state milk production. Cauvery
Delta zone was the third milk producing zone in the state. The milk production in this
region increased from 0.49 million tonnes in 1986-87 to 0.80 million tonnes in 1999-
2000. The rate of growth in this region was 5.~1 per cent per annum during the same
period. The Western Zone and North Westef"n Zone accounted 12 per cent and 11
per cent in the state's milk production and milk production in these regions tended
to increase at the rate of 0.85 per cent anq 0.27 per cent respectively. The High
Rainfall Zone and Hilly Zone had less than 5"p~r cent of the states' milk production
and the grbwth rate of\milk production wa~' 10.44 per cent and 1.21 per cent,
respectively. The ,growth rate of milk production. in the state was 2.61 per cent"per
annum betWeen 1986-87and 1999-2000. .
I

210 I
(ii) Egg Production
A poultry is one of the important agricultural allied activities in the state. It
rescues the farmers from the failure of agriculture during the drought. The egg
production in the state decreased from 2076 million (numbers) in 1986-87 to 1764
million (numbers) in 1999-2000. The egg production in the state decreased around
one per cent per annum. The North Western Zone has the major share in egg
production and its share was more than 50 per cent in the states' egg production.
The egg production in this region increased from 771 million (numbers) in 1986-87
to 1023 million (numbers) in 1999-2000 registering 5.54 per cent growth rate per
annum. Western Zone is one of the major egg-producing zones next to North Westem
Zone. The production in this zone increased from 193 million (numbers) in 1986-87
to 241 million(numbers) in 1999-2000 recording 5.89 percent growth per annum. All
other zones constitute less than 10 per cent in. the state's egg production. In all the
other zones ,except Cauvery Delta Zone egg production declined over the period of
time.

(iii) Meat Production

Meat production of the s~ate has increased from 40.6 million kgs in 1996-97
to 41.3 million kgs in 1999-2000. The growth rate of meat production during the period
was one per cent per annum. The Sheep and goat are the major sources of meat
in the state. The numbers of sheep and goat for slaughtering have been reduced
from
, 1.92 million in 1996-97 to 15.7 million in 1999-2000. The meat production from
these animals declined from 13.6 million kgs to 8 million kgs during the same period.
, The .growth rate of mutton during the reference period was -14.42 per cent per
annum. Similarly, the number of cattle for slaughtering has also reduced from 0.12
million to 0.075 million in the above period. Beef production registered negative growth
rate of 10.91 per cent per annum. However, the cara beef production increased from
0.67 million kgs in 1996-97 to 1.37 million kgs in 1999-2000. The cara beef production
exhibited a growth rate of 28.2 per cent per annum (Table 3).

III. Trade and Competitiveness

The world livestock population stands at above 1.5 billion cattle, 1 billion sheep,
Dearly 900 million pigs and over 13 billion poultry. Meat export trade is worth over four
, times as much as live animal trade. Nearly 10 per cent of the world's meat production
is exported. Over 98 per cent of the world's exports of meat and meat preparations
, originate in the developed countries (South America and Asia) of this, over 90 per
cen~ is in the form of fresh, chilled or frozen meat (Mehta, 2002). These numbers are
likely to increase in theJuture as demand for animal protein continues to expand with
risirilg incomes in developing countries. The gap in protein consumption between
developed and developing countries is still very great.

211
 Export of livestock products witnessed a steady increase over the period and
there was a jump in its share in agricultural exports. Meat and meat preparations,
which formed 3.1 per cent of the agricultural exports during 1998-99 moved to 5.4 per
cent in 2000-01. Similarly, marine products' share also increased to 23.2 per cent in
2000-01 from 17.2 per cent during 1998-99 (Table 4). Export share of the most of the
Indian livestock products in world export is less than one per cent except ovine meat,
mutton and lamb and ghee from cow milk. However, growth rates of Indian exports
both in quantity and value terms were higher than world exports. Similarly, variability
of Indian exports of most of the livestock products were highet than variability of world
export (Table 5 and 6). Indian imports of ghee (cow milk), skim milk (evaporated),
wool (greasy) and wool and their waste account for ranging 3 to 9 per cent of the
world imports. Indian imports of livestock products also exhibited higher variability
than world imports both in quantity and value terms (7 and 8). The share of Indian
exports of livestock products in world exports in post Iiberalisation period increased
as compared to pre Iiberalisation period and on the other hand, Indian imports' share
of livestock products decreased in the post liberalisation period compared to pre-
Iiberalisation period. Exports growth was higher in the post liberalisation period due
to cost effectiveness of the livestock products and India could able to increase exports
of livestock products to the other international markets.

The domestic industry is price competitive only in eggs. However, some studies
have shown that Indian 'whole chicken' and chicken products does not show much
competitive advantage over other suppliers. The price in India of whole chicken is
around 30-40 per cent higher than the import price of Brazilian chicken. In addition,
l

it should be noticed that there is not much significant difference in prices of different
cuts of chicken in India, while the prices in other countries vary significantly fo(
different Guts, like breast meat, thigh meat and leg quarters. There are several reasons
why local poultry products are rel!3tively expensive compClred to imported products.
\ I
There is a big difference in the size of poultry farms operated here and abroad,
In India, there are about 1 million p\>ultry farmers of whom 95 per cent have 500 to
5000 birds. One who keeps 50,000 birds \
and above is considered a big farmer. But
in the United States, an average poultry farmer maintains a flock of 0.4-0.5 billion
birds. A farmer in ,India has to buy maite feed (for poultry) at around $130 per tonne,
while his counterpart in US pays only $80 per tonne. Since the feed cost accounts
for nearly 75 per cent of the cost of prod'uction of eggs and chickens, the relatively
higher price of maize in India leads'to higher costs of production. US and European
poultry processors are said to earn their pr6fits l by selling their breast portion of
chicken, Which is conv:(niently promoted as\I,eanlwhite meat at a premium price of
around $3 per pound (or Rs.250 per kg) in tHeir own markets. The leg portion (the
leg quart~r), on the other hand, is treated as dark meat and is targeted for dumping
in Asian rf,arkets at a throwaway price of 20-25 cent~ per pound (Le. around Rs.35 .
perkg). I

~
 In the Indian market, the thigh and leg quarter is considered a delicacy and is
preferred over the breast portion. Therefore, when the local markets are dumped by
imported leg quarters at throwaway prices, local producers are definitely affected.
Foreign governments, especially the US and EU, support poultry exports with subsidies
such as the Restitution Money Scheme of the European Union, and the Export
Enhancement Scheme of US. The amount of subsidy works out to be more than 25
per cent of the domestic price in EU, and 40 per cent in the US.

Tamil Nadu is one of the important milk producing states in the country
accounting for 6 percent of India's milk production. In recent years the per capita
availability of milk and requirement gap has narrowed down due to efficient production
of milk in the state. NPC for milk is 0.52 and 0.47 under exportable and importable
hypothesis respectively on Official Exchange Rate (OER) and Shadow Exchange
Rate (SER) basis indicating the competitiveness of milk. This has been supplemented
by EPC of less than 0.20 under the both exportable and importable scenarios implied
that the milk sector was highly disprotected (Table 9). The ERP estimates showed
that the factor of production of milk can be paid upto 80 per cent more than under
free trade and still remain competitive with imports. This emphasised the scope for
diverting resources from other allied sectors to production of milk as reflected through
higher ERP. On the other hand ORe was fOlJnd to be less than 0.20 under both
e)Sportable and importable hypothesis on OER and SER basis implied that it is
cheaper to produce milk in terms of domestic resources at Rs 14 per dollar than to
.' import (Table 10 and 11). This higher level of competitive advantage was plausible
, due to better organisation of co-operative milk unit in rural area and net working with
'apex body of State Co-operative Milk Producers Union.

IV. Trade Implications

A. Sanitary and Animal Health

Food safety and protection issues in developing countries have a major impact
, on the livestock production and income of the poor rural people in developing countries.
Food safety issues have also become more prominent with the rise in trade of meat
and milk, and it will be critical to distinguish between vital food safety concerns and
non-transparent use of health regulations for protectionist purposes (Burrell, 2002;
Mangen and et.al, 2001; Horst and et.aI1999). The SPS agreement provides greater
flexibility for countries to deviate from international standards than is permitted under
the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement. The TBT agreement, for instance,
allows a country to deviate from international standards only if it can be justified on
scientific or technical grounds. The SPS agr~ement, on the other hand, states that
~_pouritry may introduce" or maintain a SPS measure resulting'"in-a higher level;of
SPS protection than that achieved by an international standard if that country determines
to have a higher level of protection. It is·not appropriate to apply the same sanitary
213
 and phytosanitary standards on animal and plant products originating from different
countries because the incidence of pests or diseases and food safety conditions
differs owing to climatic differences.

Resorting to sanitary and phytosanitary measures provides yet another safety

valve for countries to shield domestic industries from unfair competition. However, a
regrettable fact is that India does not have at present detailed food safety standards
for its poultry and livestock products. As a result, India cannot regulate imports of
poultry and livestock products from major exporters. At the same time, India can also
not export poultry products to major trading partners, because the' latter have not
recognized that India follows their food standards. When negotiations during the
Uruquay Round led to lowering of trade barriers, some countries felt that the trade
. barriers may be circumvented by disguised protectionist measures in the form of
sanitary and phytosanitary regulations. This concern ultimately led to signing of a
separate agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures in
parallel with the Agreement on Agriculture. .

Relativ~ly little has been invested world-wide in improving the health, feed and
genetic technologies that would allow small-scale operators to continue to playa role
in a more integrated livestock production 'and marketing chain. Often asingle private
actor does not capture the benefits of such technologies and the extension that must
go with them. The economic benefits of gaining access to high-price export markets
when disease-free status is , achieved can be large. For example, when Uruguay
gained the status of FMD-frs!3 without practising vaccination in 19~6, it was able to
take advantage of its 20 thousand tonne export quota for beef sales to the US where
the price of its chilled meat was more than double the local price. Exports increased
100 per c~mt by volume and 52 per cent by value. By contrast, when Uruguay was
still using vaccination, not only was this additional revenue ullavailable but vaccination
costs were USD 8-9 million annually (FAO, 2001). Sanitary measures for livestock
such as control of Foot-and-Mouth qisease need to be implemented on a national
basis. Use of transgenic feed and forage crops, recombinantly derived prqteins (ST)
and steriod growth promoters needs thorough debate.
\
b. Tariffication
India has been consistently removing its ORs for last couple of years. Although
India started dismantling of the ORs on unilateral basis during mid 1990s, most of
the OR removals during 1997- 2001 were d~e to dispute settlement proceedings of
the WTO. lrit this context"it
.
should be remembered\
that though reduction in tariff rates
was started in early 1990s on unilateral basis, there has been no significant decline
'in 'India's ~pplied rates after tneif levels were broUght close to ·the bound levels.
Average rate of India's MFN custom tariff has been. declining since the adoption of the
reform process in early 1~90s._The ai>Jerage, MFN custom duty rate has declined

'" 214'
''''''_
consistently and significantly from the level of more than 80 per cent in early 19905
to 30 per cent in the mid-1990s. However, there has been no significant change in
India's average custom tariff rates from 1997-98 onward (Table 12 and 13). The
decline in import-weighted average customs rates was almost negligible during 1998-
99 and 1999-2000. In fact, the average tariff rate has increaseQ slightly during 2000-
01. There was a marginal decline in import-weighted average custom tariff rate from
31.1 per cent in 2000-01 to 28.9 per cent in the year 2001-02 (Mehta, 2002).
Peak tariff declined significantly from more than 100 per cent during earJy-
1990s to around 42 per cent in 1996-97. However, there has been no significant
change in the peak tariff rates during the last four years. Going by these trends, it
seems that India will have to accelerate its process of tariff liberalisation so that it
reaches the peak tariff of 20 per cent in next three years. To bring the level of India's
custom tariff to that of East Asian countries, and keeping in view the long run objectives,
a medium-term strategy needs to be worked out. East Asian economies have been
reducing their tariff rates significantly. The average MFN rate of select countries of
ASEAN was around zero percent (during 2000) for Singapore, 11, ,2 per cent (1999)
for Indonesia, 10.2 per cent (1999) for Malaysia, 10.00 per cent (1999) for the
Philippines, and 16.94 per cent (1999) for Thailand. It is expected that the tariff rates
of these countries will come down further in the next three yean; (Mehta, 2002).
, The custom tariffs will become the crucial trade policy instrument after the
r'em.oval of Indian QR regime. For long, the domestic livestock sector has remained
'protected because its import was subject to Quantitative Restrictions (QRs). Most of
. items were imported after obtaining licences. Pro~cessed poultry meat preparations
and egg proQucts attract currently an effective import duty of :35 per cent basic
customs duty. Though the duty has increased in last two years, imports were subject
to quantitative restrictioQs till' April 2001. The tariff rates of different products of the
livestock sector for the recent financial years 199912000,200011 and 200112 are given
in Table 14. In 1999/2000, the range of tariff rates was 15 per cent (of meat and edible
offal) to 40 per cent (of live poultry and food preparations of poultry products). Tariff
rate of 'maize for use for poultry feed ncreased to 70 per cent during 2000/1. However,
the tariff rate has been declined to 15 per cent, with the adoption of Tariff-Quota
Regime. All other products of the livestock sector attracted tariff rate of 35 per cent
9urin 9 last two years because the QRs of these items were removed.
For some livestock products like HS 1601.00 (sausages and similar products
of meat, meat offal, food preparations based on these products) and HS 1602.32
(other prepared or preserved meat of fowls of species; of poultry products) tariff rate
was increased to 100 per cent from 35 per cent. In the Uruguay Round, a large
number of countries fixed the level of tariff bindings, after estimating the tariff'
eqJivalence of QRs. India (and a large number of other developing countries) fixed
the bound rates without examining their detailed implications. It was mostly because
215 .
a large number of India's imported commodities were subject to QRs. Hence, one
could say that the binding rates for a large number of commodities were not appropriate
(or) tariff-equivalence of QRs/quota.

v. Conclusions
Govemments often lay down health arid safety standards for various products
obviously to protect consumers. Standards are also indispensable in international
business transactions because they ensure a uniform level of quality in merchandise,
and reduce disputes over specifications and quality of goods exported or imported.
Looking at the present public sector investment on the livestock sector indicates the
need for enhancing investment on this sector to make this sector more competitive
in the world market and maintain the intemational standard. As per the X plan outlay
anima' husbanary accounts for on'y 0.55 pet cen't'ln \he agricu'Jtura\ NSDP ana 0.00
per cent in NSDP (Table 15). Similarly, dairy development shares 0.28 and 0.04 per
cent of agricultural NSDP and NSDP respectively, while fisheries constitute 1.12 and
0.17 per cent respectively.
In the case of poultry, the industry has been facing a severe shortage of its
major feed ingredient, namely maize~ Feed cost amounts to nearly75 per cent of the
cost of production of eggs and broilers; and maize constitutes 50 per cent of feed
rations. Therefore, even a small increase in the price of ingredients can wipe out the
profits. Between 1997/98,and 1998/99, the price of maize has gone up from Rs.4500
to Rs.7500 per tonne, an in~rease of 40 per cent. This st~ep increase in the price
of major feed ingredient has forced thousands of small farmers to suspend or even
close down poultry farms. If the. growth of the poultry sector is to pe sustained' at 10
per cent for the layer sector and 15 per cent for broilers, the country needs to push
up availability. Poultry being a livestock sector need certain vital infrastructure,facilities
that can facilitate storage, distribution, marketing, ~nd exp~rts.
; Share of exports of some of, the Indian livestock products in world exports
increased during the post liberalisatlon period whereas share of Indian imports of
livestock products in world imports has not increased much and remains stable or
less during the post liberalisation period'as compared to pre liberalisation period. The
variability of exports and imports both in quantity and value terms during the post
liberalisation period has also shown that there is no adverse impact due to freer trade
but the signal is that the industry has to gear\up to meet the international competition
by maintaining the cost effectiveness, animal \health and safety considerations for
reaping the trade benef~s. '
j
 References
Burrell Alison. (2002). Animal health issues: implications for meat and livestock
production and trade, Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Departmentof
Social Sciences Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
FAO (2001).' Economic impacts of transboundary plant pests and animal
diseases. Part III of: FAO, The State of Food and Agriculture 2001. Rome: FAO :
199-280. Downloaded from http://www.fao.org/docrep/003. .
Horst, H.S., C.J.de Vos, F.H.M. Tomassen and J.Stelwagen (1999). The
economic evaluation of control and eradication of epidemic livestock diseases, Revue
Scientifique et Technique de I' OlE 18(2) : 367-379.
Mangen, M.-J., AM.Burrell, M.C.M.Mourits (2001 a). Welfare effects of controlling
a Classical Swine Fever epidemic in the Netherlands. Paperpresented at the Congress
of the American Association of Agricultural Economists, Chicago, August 2001.
Rajas Mehta (2002). WTO and. Indian Poultry Sector - .Lesson from State
Support Measures in Select Countries, Research and Information System for the
Non,.Alignes and Other Developing Countries, New Delhi.
Various issues ofpoultry times of-India- (2002). www.fao;org.
t
I

•
.217
 Table 1. Growth of Indian Livestock Sector

Year Products Mean CV per cent GRate

1980-1981, Milk (million Tonnes) 54.86 27.22 4.61
10 Eggs (Million) 21085.29 33.03 5.89
2000-2001 Fish (Thousand Tonnes) 3915.95 30.39 5.11
1980-1981 Milk (million Tonnes) 44.02 17.71 5.14
10 Eggs (Million) 16077.92 25.76 7.71
1990-1991 Fish (Thousand Tonnes) 3013.25 19.61 5.14
1991-1992 Milk (million Tonnes) 69.32 11.39 4.27
10 Eggs (Million) 27761.78 11.34 4.23
2000-2001 Fish (Thousand Tonnes) 5119.56 8.94 3.24

Table 2. Growth of Milk and Egg Production in Tamil Nadu*

(Estimated Compound
_. Growth Rate - Per cent)
Zone Milk production Egg.production
1980s 19905 Overall, 19805 1990s Overall
NEZ 5.00 2.51 3.75 -15.29 -1.31 -0.07
wvz. -6.13 ,0.23 0.27 -15.35 -7.26
:
5.54
WZ 6.47 2.55 0.86 -19.04 -1.69· 5.89
CDZ -4.60 7.39 5.31 -15.89 -0.82 1.38
SZ 3.35 4.11 1.77 -16.99 -2.54 -0.50
;
HRZ 2.51 8.24 \ 10.44 -10.35 -4.80 -8.79
\

I-e -5.96 9.72 1.21 -12.86 1.72 -2.03

Tamil Nadu 1.45 3.45 \ 2.62 5.66 -5.20 -1.02
*1986-87 to 2000-01 \
Table 3. Growth of Meat\Production in Tamil Nadu*
.(Estimated Compound Growth Rate- Per cent)

\ \
\.

Total 1.01
• I
* 1986-87 to 2000-01
218
Table 4. Export of livestock, products and their share in agricultural exports
(US $ million)
Products 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001
Meatand meat pregarations 187 189 322
.. 3.1 3.4 5.4
Marine products 1.038 1,-183 1394
17.2 21.1 23.2
Total agri. Exports 6037 5608 6004
100.00 100.00 100.00
Total exports 33,218- 36,822 44,560 :

(Figures in parentheses denote percent)

Table 5. Growth of Exports (Quantity)-1980-81 to 2000-2001

ProdUcts' World India
I Exports- Qty (Mt) Exports - Qty (Mt)
Mean CV G.Rate% Mean CV G.Rate Share%

Hen Eggs 833829.86 8.01 0.96 4741.38 92.98 16.42 0.5686

Total Meat 15989721.62 31.64 5.13 115506.90 62.11 9.15 0.7224

QvineMeat 87.1518.38 4.45 0.11 9059.62 29.24 -0.66 1.0324

Mutton and Lamb 864516.95 4.4~ -0.01 8943.71 29.54 -0.83 1.0345

Ghee(From
Cow Milk) 35881.67 59.01 -0.55 594.43 80.29 7.34 1.656q

Skim Milk,
Evaporated 9498.84 105.50 51.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.0000

MilkEquivalent 55972861.05 16.71 2.62 32630.43 157.57 20.84 0.0583

Milk Cond + Evap 962871.71 10.39 0.31 99.57 134.60 18.32 0.0103

MilkDry 2973199.29 11.89 1.55 2618.86 184.66 26.73 0.0881

Hides and
Skins-21 2450314.62 14.00 2.19 . 123.48 158.45 18.29 0.0050

Wool, Greasy 846129.10 13.69 -1.69 140.52 167.81 6.68 0.0166

Wbql and Hair
Waste 7062.3.95 14.40 0.87 79.24 108.76 30.73 0.1122
.
219
 Table 6. Growth of Exports (Value) - 1980-81 to 2000-2001
Products Wond India
Exports - Val (1000$) Exports- Val (1000$»
Mean CV G.Rate% Mean CV G.Rate Share %

Hen Eggs 933363.76 14.39 1.47 5057.05 104.17 19.84 0.5418

Total Meat 32456120.62 32.00 5.40 128694.71 58.91 7.93 0.3965
OvineMeat 1795310.29 19.86 2.79 17484.52 24.69 -0.80 0.9739
Mutton and Lamb 1764417.00 19.31 2.66 17252.71 24.84 -0.98 0.9778
Ghee(From
Cow Milk) 57319.33 63.55 -1.10 1857.05 69.74 5.65 3.2398

Skim Milk,
Evaporated 6253.11 103.51 51.79 0.11 435.89 -0.97 0.0017

Milk Equivalent 20881470.86 31.11 . 5.22 10473.76 153.96 18.35 0.0502

Milk Cond + Evap 1025561.00 13.60 1.40 173.90 137.56 19.29 0.0170
MilkOry 5213512.57 31.08 5.07 4334.67 184.96 21.36 0.0831
Hides and
Skins-21 5985919.33 19.64 1.87 344.48 120.99 7.27 0.0058
Wool, Greasy 2472649.71 ' 34.70 -2.82 813.24 226.81 18.00 0.0329
Wool and
HairWaste 147442.43 27.~4 -0.27 220.14 116.11 /37.60 0.1493

Table 7. Growth of Imports (Quantity) - 1980-81 ~o 2000-2001

_I

Products World \ India

Imports-Qty (Mt) Imports-Qty (Mt)
Mean CV G~Rate
_, °lc Mean CV G.Rate Share %
Hen Eggs 818593.67 6.68 0.65 10.57 159.91 1.05 0.0013
Total Meat 15362807.95 30.58 4.96 ' 82.~7 289.49 -3.16 0.0005
OvineMeat 866006.33 4.55 0.07 \\ \2.67 265.52 6.52 0.0003
\
Mutton and ~amb 847766.9,5 4.95 -0.13 , 2.48 284.02 5.27 0.0003
~

Ghee(From/
Cow Milk) I 92600.57 27.72 -2.05 5843.67
\
. 108.06 -3.69 6.3106

..
,.220 .,
Skim Milk,
Evaporated 12826.67 63.63 4.46 468.90 270.04 -32.33 3.6557
MilkEquivalent 55343768.24 13.78 2.17 188872.05 110.63 -12.72 0.3413
Milk Cond + Evap 972752.90 9.19 0.32 836.38 194.64 -24.65 0.0860

MilkDry 2962410.86 8.34 0.81 17111.67 121.00 -20.82 0.5776

Hides and
Skins-21 2567810.10 14.78 2.35 10456.81 81.88 22.10 0.4072

Wool, Greasy 794916.86' 13.85 -1.66 23181.38 28.73 1.88 2.9162

Wool and
HairWaste 73942.10 13.82 0.58 4960.48 37.56 4.19 6.7086
•
Table 8. Growth of Imports (Value) -1980-81 to 2000-2001

Products Wortd India

Imports- Val (1000$) Imports- Val (1000$»
Mean CV G.Rate% Mean CV G.Rate Share%

Hen Eggs 959860.52 12.78 0.89 15.38 198.92 4.53 0.0016

Total Meat 33208584.38 29.67 4.99 128.76 166.99 -4.87 0.0004
.' Ovine Meat, 2023759.57 17.15 2.32 9.00 223.86 15.56 0.0004
-
Mutton and "'-
Lamb' 1978662.57 16.37 2.16 5.05 188.21 12.49 0.0003

Ghee(From
CowMilk) . 168336.81 21.82 -2.71 14655.57 138.77 -8.34 8.7061

Skim Milk,
Evaporated 14133.48 66.41 6.59 547.67 234.08 -33.52 3.8750

Milk Equivalent 21315152.76 28.53 4.70 47254.19 120.98 -13.63 0.2217

Milk Cond + Evap 1096679.48 12.76 1.41 1177.71 163.25 -21.06 0.1074

MilkDry 5523833.67 25.54 3.81 26373.90 119.99 -19.79 0.4775

Hides and
Skins-21 6210870.43 19.14 1.34 29412.57 84.53 27.50 0.4736

Wool, Greasy 2718201.19 34.57 -2.97 68717.71 22.94 1.11 2.5281

Wool and
Hair-Waste 159336.76 25.39 -0.54 4099.95 53.25 -4.62 2.5731
-I

·221
Table 9. Net Protection Coefficients and Effective Protection Coefficient - Milk

Year Milk- NPC Milk-EPC

OER basis Exportable Importable Exportable Importable
hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis
1995-96 0.365 0.353 0.070 0.047
1996-97 0.458 0.446 0.138 0.089
1997-98 0.493 0.490 0.173 0.116
1998-99 0.517 0.531 0.202 0.144
1999-00 0.616 0.648 0.311 0.277
2000-01 0.645 0.661 0.357 0.279
Averaqe 0.516 0.521 0.208 0.159
SER basis
1995-96 0.328 0.317 0.055 0.051
1996-97 0.400 0.389 0.102 0.096
1997-98 0.433 0.431 0.130 0.128
1998-99 0.477 0.491 0.169 0.180
1999-00 0.573 0.603 0.263 0.296
2000-01 0.588 0.603 0.291 0.307
Average 0.467 0.472 0.168 0.176
Table 10. Effective Rate of Protection and Domestic Resource Cost -Milk
Year Milk-ERP , Milk-ORe
OER basis Exportable Importable Exportable Importable
hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis
1995-96 93.036 95.330 0.063 0.059
1996-97 86.183 ,91.052 .I 0.130 0.122
1997-98 82.675 '88.405 0.164 0 ..162
1998-99 79.783 85.567 0.193 0.206
1999-00 68.940 72.300 0.299 0.336
2000-01 64.320 72.142 0.346 0.366
Averaqe 79.156 84.133 0.199 0.208
SER basis
1995-96 94.537 94.920, 0.050 0.046
1996-97 89.823 90.440 \ \ 0.095 0.090
1997-98 I 87.035 87.201 \ , ' 0.123 0.121
1998-99 ! 83.089 82.016 l 0.162 0.172
1999-00 } 73.654 ~ _. - ,.70.442 I
0.254 0.284
2000-01 I 70.925 69.281 0.282 0.298
Average 83.177 I
82.383 t 0.161 0.169
"
.2.22
 Table 11. Domestic Resource Costs (Another Approach) -Milk

Year Shadow Exchange Milk- ORC APPROACH

Rate (SER) Exportable Importable
hypothesis hypothesis
1995-96 37.25 5.731 5.500
1996-97 40.63 9.354 9.024
1997-98 42.26 11.494 11.410
1998-99 45.55 15.201 15.739
1999-00 46.58 20.324 21.707
2000-01 50.05 23.078 23.806
Average 43.72 14.197 14.531
Table 12. Average MFNTraiffRates and Peak Tariffs in India

Year Average MFNTariffRate Collection Peak

Rates Tariff
SimpJeAvQ. Import-weiqhted Gross
1993-94 83:00 82.76 31 85
1994-95 61.58 56.65 30.17 65
1995-96 48.83 44.75 29.45 50
11996-97 39.26 32.7 31.32 42
1997-98 35.12 30.91 29.29 45
1998-99 35.25 30.3 22.8 45
1999-00 ' 35.54 29.81 23.67 44
2000-01 34.62 31.15 21.295 38.5
2001-02 32.27 28.92 - 35
Source: Rajesh Mehta (2002), WTO and Indian Poultry Sector- Lesson from State Support .
Measures in Select Countries, Research and Information System forthe Non-Aligned and Other
Developing Countries, New Delhi.
Table 13. Extent of removal of quantitative restrictions
Year Numberof lines which arefree (as %oftotal numberoflines)
Apr. 1995 56.00
Apr. 1997 65.80
Apr. 1998' 70.20
Apr. 2000 86.41
Apr2001 94.37
So~tCe: Rajesh Mehta (2002), WT,O and Indian Poultry Sector-Lesson from State Support Measures
..
in Select Countries, Research and Information System forthe Non-Aligned and Other Developing
Countries, New Delhi.
223
 Table 14. MFN tariffs and UR Bound Rates for livestock, products in India

Harmonized System (Commodity Groups) India's Import Policy URUpper

HScode HS description 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 Bound
Tariff Rate Tariff Rate Tariff Rate Final
(%) (%) (%) Rate(%)

01.02 Live bovine animals

0102.10 Pure-bred breeding animals 40 35 35 100
Ex0102.10 Cows, heifers, bulls, goats,
sheep and pureline poultry
stock 5 5 5 100
0102.90 Other 40 35 35 100
Ex.0102.90 Grand Parent Poultry stock
and donkey stallions 25 25 25 100
01.05 Live poultry, that is to say,
fowls of the species Gallus
dome$ticus, ducks, geese,
turkeys and guinea fowls 40 35 35 100
02.07 Meat and edible offal, of the
poultry ofheading 01.05, , I
fresh, chilled orfrozen 15 35 351 100
0207.13 Cuts and offal, fresh or
chilled; Offowls ofth~
species Gallus. domesticus 15 100 100 100
'. (

0207.14 Cuts and offal, frozen;

/ Offowls ofthe species \
\
Gallus domesticus \ 15 100 100 100
04.07 Birds:s egg, in shell, fresh, \
preserved or cooked ,35 35 35 150
04.08 Bird's egg, not in shell and
yolks, fresh, dried cooked by
, steaming or by boiling in
\
water, molded, frozen or \

I otherwise p}eserved,
~
I
.
I whether arnot containing ,
! added sugarorother \
,
,
sweetenina matter 35, 35 35 150
224
 10059000.1' Maize for use for poultry or
animal feed 0 0 15/50 15160
1601.00 Sausages and similar
products, of meat, meat
offal or blood; food
preparations based
on these products 40 100 100 150
16.02 Other prepared or
preserved meat,
meat or blood 40 35 35 150

Source: Rajesh Mehta (2002), WTO and Indian Poultry Sector - Lesson from State
Support Measures in Select Countries, ResearCh and Information System for the Non-
Aligned and Other Developing Countries, New Delhi.

Table 15. Tenth plan outlay of agricultural and allied activities.

and their share in agricultural NSDP and total NSDP

•Agricultural and allied activities Rs. in crores Percentage 'Percentage to

toagri. NSDP NSDP
-Crop husbandry 1350 7.44 1.15
, Soil and water conservation 437.6 2.41 0.37
Animal Husbandry- 100 , f
0.55 0.08
Dairy Development 50 0.28 0.04
Fisheries. 204 1.12 0.17
Forestry & Wild life 1348.1 7.43 1.14
Plantations - - -
Food storage and Warehouse 14.55 0.08 0.01
Agricultural research and Education 350 1.93 0.30
Agricultural Financial Institutions 35.5 0.20 0.03
'OtherAgricultural programmes - - -
Marketing and quality control - - -
Co-operation 42.3 0.23 0.04
Total 3932.05 21.67 3.34

NSDP and NSDP in agriculture were Rs. 117825.4 crores and Rs. 18143.92 crores
respectively during 1999-2000. ..
225
 INTEGRATED POLYCULTURE FARMING

Dr. G.Gandhi, Manager

United India Insurance Co. Ltd
Hospital Road, "Shamya", Ernakulam. Cochin
e-mail: drgg15@hotmail.com;drgg15@indiatimes.com;drgandhi@myrealbox.com;

LAND, WATER, AIR, FIRE AND SPACE are the five elements. Man has almost conquered
or controlled all these five elements. Land- to full extent! Water- to maximum extent required!
SPACE - to some extent! Air - to set all kinds of air crafts, vessels, spacecrafts against its current
by virtually conquering air! Even including the element-FIRE-he has leamt successfully to put
them all to his maximum usage. The ultimate CREATOR ofthe universe has made this all only on
earth for man to benefit from. But alas! He created "greed- also in man. So, he began exploiting too
much of the benefits he derived out of these elements. Hence he started destroying its fertilities
even though the good mother earth lying beneath mans' feet, + provided him in abundance all that
he wanted. Of all the five elements it is only land, lying down beneath the mans' feet, l?uffers all
abuses worse than a bonded slave.

Of course, all other elements- water, fire, air ,space are not yet spoiled to the extent land
has been. An exception is FIRE! its purity can-never be destroyed by anyone! The case is different
farland and water! Trapped under mans' feet, they suffer the worst levels of degradations possible!.
He began to systematically grab in to every fertile- resource of the land he could lay hands on.
What is that going to remain if this exploitation never stops? Not only lands fertile- resources
depleted to full extent, his exploitation has already reached such a level that it has started producing
so many ill effects. The qualities of land put to use for cultivation of all crops, have drastically
changed. There is increase of wastelands, marshy lands, desert lands, .saline lands. All increase
in disproportionate levels all overthe globe. Why because, the protective shields of land and soil
viz. the green cover has been destroyed and removed considerably until this 20th century. In the
new millennium the incidences of land slide ,land -shakes,'land erOSion, land-tremors, Earth-
quakes etc. which are on the increase, are'the negative/angry reactions of the mother nature. Not
able to understand all this, man greedily continues to abuse'her more and more. Think! When
there i~ a salvation forthis!
\ \
At least ,let the farmers first stop degrading the fertility Ithe good nature of mother earth! Le
him stop first the dumping of enormous quantity of chemicals -man-made fertilizers, salt compounds
and complexes, fertilizer and pesticide-chemicals! Avoiding them totally, let him use the organic
manure, farmyard manure, and bio-fertilizers, bioreactors that enhance soil fertility. Biological
control measures-IPM- be adopted in agriculture. Numerous,new techniques - perma culture, hi-
tech biofarming, Integrated polyculture farming are the new methods found out by many eminent
SCientists. Due to great efforts of scientists, all thes~ tnetliods have been proved to be most
successful ones. Man ~hould changel He should leam, to respect mother earth. He should stop
spoiling her. Mother earth pos~esses the quality of forbearing all sins of man committed on her.
So, at least nollY let man prevent further injuring her tender body. This is the basics of biological
farming, agri-farmers who understand this simple philosophy never change their minds! Those
displaced famiilies of major 'Dam-Project' sites ,may be ill millions all over India are not being
provided with Cldequate relief or rehabilitation·measurel? This problem can be easily addressed as
" "
\
\
-
I

'~ 226
 below: All these Dam-projects are definitely helping millions of hectares of land-owners who directly
derive the long term perennial irrigation facility, at least those are in the command areas, then the
should be made to share the concerns of the displaced people as their moral and legal obligations.
They ,those who own> 10 acres of land must adopt IFPS and thereby provide the employment
facility as envisaged in this IFPS MODEL.. The law of land, land reforms act, land-use pattern,
land development act and whatsoever act on cultivable, irrigable land, should all enforce this as a
measure of compulsion, because "Land is no more an individual assets but a national asset too.·

Biotechnology' in Agriculture:

Traditionally our forefathers since ages immemorial employed the manual method of "selecting
in their own ingenious ways and sowing the best seeds· from plants with beneficial traits- such as
higher-yields, nutritional- contents and disease - resistance. By experience and keen observation
of the crop for prolonged periods, this was done all along effectively. Whereas BT, unlike the
traditional way, involves the transfer of genes of all beneficial traits of the best variety of plants in a
more accurate and scientific way, of course in laboratory conditions and then transferring them to
the field. Many advanced tools have come to stay for achieving the best results in this technique

"(hus the use of BT in agriculture with the advantages of improved yields, nutritional values,
and less or nil-use of chemicals/fertilizers and pesticides, will all safeguard the future'global food
supply both in terms of quality and quantity, satisfying our food and nutritional security needs.

The use of bio-pesticides, by then would become common as they are nontoxic to hUmans,
animals, fishes, birds and all living flora and fauna, would reduce all the current ecological and
environmental threats, in the agricultural front.
I , '

,iPFS' Vs. Biotechnology

World population is fast galloping to alarming levels, especially in the developing/poor countries
I of the South East Asian and South African Regions. 2030 estimate it estimated to double, almost
10 billion inhabitants.

With more and more mouths to feed on the one hand and shrinking cultivable land and other
resources on the other hand, the only option available is to increase the production per unit of
fertile land and to cut down the losses of produces whilst in storage and distribution. "Employing
the land more productivelyl· - this is where BT comes. Per capita availabilty of land is decr-esing
from 0.44 hectare in 1961 to 0.26 hec. to-day. This will further deteriorate to 0.15 hectares per
capita in the year 2050.So , the strategic integration of 'BT tools' into Indian Agriculture carl only
revolutionize the country's farming and usher in a new era for the rural India.

GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATIS:

It refers to the technology used to discover genes and the functions 9f the constituent proteins
they produce. Genes are responsible for directing the biological developments and consequent
activities of human body's 100 trillion and more cells. Modem technology involving the enormous
aa~~mcements in IT, the database system plays a vital role .It is here, India is expected to exert its
supreme power and be a major gpJner in the coming decades, given its huge human- resource -

227
pool of scientists, bio-technologists in particular coupled with software professionals are deployed
in the right direction. These areas would create potentially a large business opportunity for Indians
since the countries' strides on the super highways of IT and BT are most impressive. The worldwide
'bio-informatics' market alone is expected to be worth so many trillion dollars by 200S and most of
these opportunities can be grabbed by Indians. So, all advanced technologies of IT and BT, when
employed on field in Indian soils in the coming 2 decades, with the triple -fold agricultural production,
we can feed the entire global population.

What "IPFS" to do with 'BT':

Considering the above, the land use pattern itself needs to be drastically changed in order
to bring enhancement ofthe per unit production of the land. The major such change should be on
our mono-cropping, our total dependence on water-demanding crops- such as paddy, sugarcane,
banana etc. with the recycling of a lot of wasted resources, the harvesting of natural (wind, solar
and bio-mass) energies coupled with equitable distribution of water etc. To make all these changes
practicable on the field, the unifonn adoption of 'IPFS' WOULD BE THE PREREQUISITE.
Then the 'BT' would stay put in the regular practice of all our farmers. Even efforts such as joint-
venture or co-operative farming, corporate farming, commune or community farming would also
have its place of wide scale acceptance among our farming community thus paving way for
remarkable 'sociological upheavals' in the society as a whole
I

COMPARATIVE ECONOMICS

MONOC!JLTURE INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

I. Paddy I. Paddy
10 acres of paddy / banana / " "- 4 acres-Income Rs.SOOO/-acre':
sugarcane or other cash crops net income 4 xSOOO:Rs.20,000/- acre
Rs.5000/- p~r acre. AnnuaI2cropsx20,000:Rs40,boo
10 x5:50000/Crop Annual 3 crops x20,000:Rs.60,000
50000 x 2:1laclannum
I

50000 x 3:1.5Iaclannum
/
"

II. S~garcane \
II. Sugarcane
: Rs. 20,OOO/acre
Rs.20,000/acre(15 months)
. 25,000/-
10 acre:2,00,000 to 2,50,000ye'ar
\ 1 x 20,000 = Rs. 20,000
1 x 25,000 = Rs. 25,000
Risk:Red rot-mosaic virus \

III. Banana (12 to 15 months) 11'1. Banana

1000 trees/acres 1 acre I
'\ '
10000 trees/acres 1000 treesx25= Rs.25,000/-
Rs. 25-30 / per tree 10Q(Hreesx30= Rs.30,000/-
10,000x25=~,50,000' , \ , )
,
.
10,OOOx30=3,00,000
. I'

,
I

" ,

~\ 228
 MONOCULTURE --
INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

IV.Fisheries
Water Intensive 1 Acre
Labour Intensive Yield 1500 Kgs.-2000 Kgs.
Rs.20-25/Kg.Rs.30,OOO or 40,000
Rs.37,500 or 50000
Risk: V. Poultry (14 months)
Bunch top virus Egg 1000 birds unit Rs.100 per}=1 00000 Production
Heavy wind damages bird/annum Culled birds 1000 x Rs.1 01 0000/-
Rs.11 0000/-
Net Income: VI.Heifer-calves & Milk Yield:
Either:Rs.1Iac or 1.5 lac 10 caJves/annum @ { 3D, ODD/-
Or Rs. 2.5 lac. Rs.300,o/- average/calf}
OrRs.2.5t03Iacs.Thro' Milk Production: 10 x 8 x 300 x 10 = 2,40,000/-
Paddy or Sugarcane or Banana.
, ,

Total Income: VII.Horticulture

Banana=Rs.2.5 lacs or 3.0 lacs. Sale of vegetable daily 30 plots of 1 acre yields
Sugarcane=Rs.2Iac qr 2.5Iacs. minimum of 10 Kgs. Of vegetables on an
Paddy=Rs.1 lac or 1.5 lac. average of Rs.5/- per kg.
Rs.50/day x 300 = Rs. 15,000/-
" X 330 = Rs. 16,SOO/-

Add Item I to VII

, 40+20+25+2S+240+110+1S=Rs.47S000
-
60+2S+31;>+30+110+240+16.S=Rs.S11S00
TotalS.7Sto S.11Slacs.
l

. .
N.B.:-It is quite evidentt~at 'IPFS' generates> double Income whIch IS assured and less
risk-free, and self sustaining eco-friendly farming.

229
 Comparative Income Generation Pattern and its Impacts in Rural Economy
Monoculture
1. No daily income generation from
sale of eggs, vegetables and milk.
2. Seasonal income bi-annual or
tri-annual from paddy only.
3. Long term : Annual or once in
two/three years. Sugarcane/banana
only.
4. Heavier interest burdens on capital
investments, as returns are delayed.
5. Risk of anxiety & worry about crop
failures, price instability etc.
6. No 'nutrition security' for children.
7. Non-availability of free fuel materials
only dependence of electric
, energy
or diesel power.
B. Round the year employm~nt and
income generation for women folk
not available.
9. Not environmentally friendly but
hazardous to ecological balance
as environmentally degrading \
'soil-facility' .
10. Labour participation and deployment 10.Full deployment'and total labour
/ only partial and seasonal and SO\
, much so inequitable distribution
rural labour force..
0\
,
11. Water demanding & Unsustaining
agri-practice, driving too much,
dependence on water regl,llarly
12.Not available. No up-gradation of ,
knawle,dge base.
I I
13.Seasonable employment drives
labouryforce to urban migrator &
thus putting pressure on urban
population. , •
• "
Polyculture
1. Daily income from sale of eggs, vegetables
and milk.
2. Seasonal income from bi-annual crops,
paddy etc.
3. Long term income (Annual/two/three
years) also from
(a) Sugarcane/banana.
(b) Fish.
(c) Culled birds.
(d) Matured heifers or culled animals.
4. Interest can be paid then and there with
daily income & hence lesser burden.
5. With a assured daily income, free from
anxiety of crop failure and interest burden
and price instability.
6. With the available daily production of egg,
milk and fresh vegetables there in
nutritional security for children of labourers
and farmers.
7. Bio-gas fuel and bio-energy freely
available for kitchen fuel and lamps etc.
Less dependence of electric power. _c.
B. Round the year available jconsistent
employment & potential :
9. Environmentally friendly system
promotes bio-diversity and maintains
ecological balance
partiCipation leading to equitable
distribution.
;
\ 11.Self-sustainable agripractice, with
recycling of water resources available.
12. Integration of technocrats and their
\~ec,h_nalbgy with convergence of their
technical knowledge of different disciplines
ta!<ing place, on farmer.
13. Prevents urban-migration with .
guaranteed year round employment.
\
,
\
230
 MAN POWER UTILISATION
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

EQUITABLE DEPLOYMENT OF FARM WORKERS

Permanent Labour Temporary Labour

1 Fisheries 1 Acre 1 + 1 2 -
2 Dairy @ 1 Labour 110 animals 2
3 Horticulture 1 Acre 2
4 Gobar Gas Plant (Large Capacity) 1
5 Poultry 1000 birds unit 2
=
6 Agri Field workers 3 +1 +1 +2 7 2 5 to 1OSeasonal workers
7 Domestic Chores 1
TOTAL LABOUR UTILISATION 125 to 1OTemporary workers
IN MONOCULTURE 5 to 1OTemporary workers

INTEGRATION OF MICROLEVEL IINPUTS'

- SOURCE INPUT OUTPUT . INTEGRATING WITHON &

OFF FARM ACTIVITIES
I WINDMILLor WIND energy Mechanical Irrigation of land, Fish pond
Gobar gas plant Dung, urine, energy, Fuel oxidation, Domestic chores,
~
Agri.wastes energy,Slurry lamps; Kitchen fuel,
; Bio-mass fertilizer to land

,
I
i

POULTRY Agri. Produces, FAECAL FISH PONDS as feed for

,
I
" - Maize, Millet etc. DRO~PINGS fishes

III FISHERY Water Water Sediments Irrigating crops Bic-fertilizer

of ponds to lands

IV Dairying Green grass, Dung, Urine,

Vegetables, wash Water
garden wastes, Bio-mass fertilizer to lands
(sugarcane tops, :
,
banana leaves &
paddy straw)

V Agriculture - Agri.lnputs water & Vegetable garden Dairying, Poultry, gobargas

Horticulture Bio-fertilizer (gober wastes & straw plant etc
gas plant) + Dairy grass
waste, poultry,
manure +Fish
pond sediments
--
~I

231
ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY SYNERGISM:
Recycling of Resources -Agri.waste materials, wate~ energy,
Sio-mass - Sio-fertilizer-Ieading to ecological balan~ and pollution free environment
i
WHAT UNIVERSITIES SHOULD DO?

Universities such as agriculture and animal hUSbandry should ensure that models of IPFS
are created in the research farms with a view to popularize the scheme and also to provide on the
spot all training to interested agriculturists, who can \mdertake with the assistance of their local
NGOs, visitation programs to these farms.

The universities can also institute research stucUes ( graduates/under-graduates courses)

in IPFS with a view to introduce more flexible models \Vithout deviating from basic concepts, while
at the same time such models which are appropriate to local market conditions and needs of
farmers.

For creating model farms, universities can appelal to university grants commission (UGC) to
provide funds I grant- in -aid forthis research oriented n,odel scheme to be undertaken at graduate's
curriculum level.

The KVKs, which are functioning under these Universities, can also act as focal pOints for
dissemination ofthis 'IPFS' concept to their farmers. If required each "KVK' can also set up one
such modelunit of 'IPFS' under UGC's farming progr~m for which effortswould be undertaken by
respective agri/vet. Universities all over the country. KvKs can also approach "CAPARr for
setting up of a model farm of IPFS.

( PROJECT: 'IPFS' - model unit in a" KVKs a" over India - thro' UGC's funding program. )
I

232
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Clinic - Ashok Nagar - @ 24890506 I
89, Inner Ring Road, Jafferkhanpet, I
Chennai - 83, (Next to Kasi Theatre) I
• Weekdays - 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. I
• (Weekdays Full day) & Sunday 10 I
I a.m. - 1.30 p.m. I
• Clinic - Anna Nagar West Extn. -@26155141 I
I 50/13, Soundarya Colony - Annna Nagar I
I
West Extn. Chennai - 600 101.
•
• (Near ThirumangalalT) / Behind
I SBOA) All Days - 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• (Evening only)
:.I
I'
,-------------_.,
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
• •

/
: With 13est Comp{iments from :
··· ~
/ .
~
• •
• •
• ••
••
•
.••
•
•
•
•
/
TAMIL NADU ANDHRA
'
•
••
TRANSPORT •
V ••
RAM SILKS ••
Kamaraj Salai •
Dhanvantri Nagar Post, 290, Jawaharlal Nehru Street,
••
--r-Pondicherry - 605 006 I
Pondicherry - 605 001 ••
Phone No. 227295'1, 2272648 Phone No. 2334856 •
•
•
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
 Witli $est Compliments !From

Esqure Eqips
No. 31, II Street, Ravi Colony,
St. Thomas Mount, Chennai - 600 016.
Ph :(044)22521694, Fax : (044)22521694
E-mail: equips@vsnl.net

Dealers for the following research instrument:

Freeze Dryers (Lyophilisers) of lab and industrial types for vial, ampoule and Bulk
drying
- Telstar Industrial S.L. Spain & Martin Christ GmbH. Germany.
Biosafety Cabinets of ClassII types - Telstar Industrial, S.L.Spain
Refiigerated and non-refrigerated Centrifuges
- Sigma Instruments, Germany
UTtrasonicators tor tissue processing tor aff ranges ofvofumes
- Dr. Hielsher, Germany
Microbial Sterile blenders for food microbilogy applications
"STOMACHER" - Seward Limited, Uk.
Shakers, Incubator shakers, tissue homogenisers etc.
- Buchler Instruments, Germany
UV-VIS spectropbotometers of all types
- Cecil Instruments, Cambridge, UK.

HPLC systems
- Bischoff Chromatography GmbH. Germnay

Electrophoresis units, power packs, DNA sequencers, Gel Documentation systems,

Transilluminators, Iso electric focussing units, Ion Analysers, pH meters, all type of
electrodes - Consort, Belgium.

And many more .... .

•
 7J;),ilh 2Jesl C omphmenls grom

CAUVERY VET PHARMA

0-15, First Cross, North East Extn" Thillai Nagar,
Tiruchirapalli - 620 018. Phone: 0431 - 2763646/3100696

STOCKISTS
Alembic-vet, Alarsin, Alved Pharma, Dabur, Glaxo, Hoechstvet,
Hindustan, Therapeutics (P) Ltd., Natural Remedies, Indian ImmuDologicals,
Intas-Vet, Karnataka Antibiotics, Dosch Pharmaceuticals, Lyka,
Wockhardt, Neospark Drugs & Chemicals, Pfizer Ltd. ,
Rakesh Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Sarabhai-Zydus, Unichem, Petcare,
Ranbaxy, Velvet Pharmaceuticals, Pedigree (Pet Food) and Vet India.

CANINE VACCINES AND PET PRODUCTS

THANTHAI HANS ROEVER'S

* Higher Education Arts & Science College , Eng ineering College,
Paramedical Science Coll eges &
Polytechnic College
* School Education Higher Secondary, Matriculation &
Elementary Schools.
* Agricultural Education Institute of Agricu lture & Horticulture &
Hans Roever Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS

K. Varadharaajen, B.A., B.L.,
Chairman & Managing Trustee, St. John Sangam Trust,
Roever Campus , 18, Anna Salai,
Perambulur - 621 212. Tamil Nadu . S. India.
Phone : (04328) 277418,277132, Fax : 91 -4328-278110, ~
Website: www.stjohnsangamtrust.org., www.thrcoJJege.com
E-mail : sjst @rediff.com ; roeverpblr@yahoo.com ~
 @feAt r:g~/r» t/UJ

Y5~~O<J~

~
Palani Andavar Feeds
PRIVATE LIMITED

Manufacturers of Poultry & Cattle Feeds

Palani Andavar Feeds (P) Limited

Post Box No.1 01 86, Puduppatti Road

Namagiripet - 637 406.
Phone: 04287 - 240309, 240409, 241309
Cell No : 98430-40209

• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
• •
: WE WISH OUR MOTHER IN HER CENTENARY YEAR :
• ••
• •
•• ••
•• PROP: Dr. RAJESH FRANCIS, :
• M.V.Sc., (Surgery) •
• •
•
• •
•
•• •
•
•
• ••
•• •
• ••
• •
• •
• •
• • PET SHOP. PET MEDICALS • PUppy SHOP
••
•• A - Z FOR DOGS AND DOGGY NEEDS
•• DOORSTEP VETERINARY CARE
•
•
•
••• 109, Vepery High Road, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007
••
: [Next to Madras Veterinary College] :
• Phone: 2527 5350 Cell: 98410-18280 •
••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Wit" Bost (JoHtPOillttlltts ',ollt

K. Nalliappan
Managing Director

Co:n..s~:r"'U..c~io:n..s
W-99, ANNA NAGAR,
CHENNAI - 600 040.
 Witli fJ3est Conp aments :From

Nicholas Piramal India Limited

We are the Sole Manufacturers of Vitamin '~ in India.
We are the manufacturers of Feed supplements
for Poultry, Dairy & Other Live Stocks.

Nicholas Piramal India Limited

Vitamins & Fine Chemical Division,
Mumbai Agra Road, Balkum, Thane - 400 608.
Tel: (022) 25343508/09 .• (D) : 25341527/25346444
• Fax: 91-22-25413209

Mr. U. K. Thiagarajan
Director

MIs Integrated Pilcz Foundations

(Madras) Pvt. Ltd.

F-26/1 , Anna Nagar East

Chennai - 600 102
Phone: 26214395, 26214804

•
 •••••••••••••••••••••••••
•
•• 0fKtI" PlJed ~~~ fo»n •••
• •
••
•• •••
~~~MIII~/. •
•• ~ ""~ ••
•
•
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-- - •
•• •••
•• •
• ••
•• ••
•
••• •
•• •••
YOGIRAM PHARMA SURYA AGENCIES •
'. No.1, Rajaji Street, K.K.Nagar, ••
16, IT Cross Street, Trichy - 620 021 . (India) •
Shanthi Nagar, CO Off. : 0431-2351306
•
••
Pondicherry - 605 011.
••
Fax: 0431-2352359
Phone: 2243574 E-mail: sabisuday@yahoo.co.in
suryagroup2003@sify.com •••
•••••••••••••••••••••••••

witfi 'Best Comp{iments from

Serving more than 78 Years
M. GOPALAN ASAN
SPECIALIST IN SIDDAH AND AYURVEDIC MEDICAlS
For treatment and prophylaxis of diarrhoea
and dysentery problems of avian species. _..._,.o
~
SV'?
VIITAl TONE ...... '4:

Shri Vig~esh Prints

* DTP * Negative & Positive
... Scanning'" Graphic Designing
. . offset & Screen Printing

No. 12/4, Narasimhan Street,

G. SUNDER GOPALAN West Mambalam , Chennai - 600033.
45, Aroma Lodge Building, Balamore Road, Ph : 24714196/24896628
Nagercoil - 629 001, Ph: 04652 - 226680
M.G.RA.lA
130, Balamore Road, Nagercoil - 629 001
Ph : 04652-230156; EMAIL : CEangop_ngdWsanchamet.in
COLOUR XEROX
 With Best Compliments from
With Best
Complements from

Dr. B. Vasantharaj David,

M.Sc. (Ag.), Ph.D., D.Sc.
Consultant - R&D
(Safety evaluation,
Crop Protection & Toxicology)
Flat No.33, R.E. Apartments
114 (81) A.P. Road, Choolai
Chennai 600112.
Phone: 2640 0304
Mobile: 9840164099
E-mail: drdavid@md4.vsnl.neUn
sunagro@vsnl.com

Offers Consultancy
Services for control of Lt. Col. Govinda Samy
Housefly nuisance in Poultry
farms

•••••••••••••••••••••••• • •••••••••••••••••••••••
•• •
• With Best Compliments From :
With Best Compliments From • ••
•• •
•• •
•
»
~~
t(~
_-- ~~ .......... . . :~)
• •
•• ••
GODREJ
"-::, ~~~~~E ~5S".:~~!: ..,~~ • •
" . <:j'
V"'l:i' f.,,'">C": • • AGROVET LTD.
• •
• • •
• •
TTK Health • • ~~a; UfTitJ ~ ~a; COU fTULD
•
•• ••
Care Limited • • Ga;ffj, Gl [181
• •
(ANIMAL WELFARE DIVISION) •• •• wrrL@j,~QlWW
• • 1-8, Industrial Estate, Ambattur,
••• ••• Chennai - 98. INDIA
Phone : 2625 8031-2625 8032
91, Santhome High Road •• 2625 8033, Fax : 044-2625 8034
RA Puram, Chennai - 600 028 •• •• E-mail : gavl.chennai@godrejagrovet.com
•• Phone: 24937458, ••
•• •• •••
24938057,24932587 Regd. Office:
• •
Fax: 24938033 • Pirojsha Nagar, Eastern Express
• Email: ttkheawd@vsnl.net • •• •
•• •
Highway. Vikhroli,
••
(E) Mumbai - 400 079.
•• ••••••••••••••••••••••••• •• ••••••••••••••••••••••••

•
 80st (lOHtplliHtDHts lor tAo
EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

Pooranl reeds
POORANI BREEDING FARM
(HYLINE WHITE & BROWN DAY-OLD CHICKS)

R.S. Breeding Farm

(HISEX WHITE DAY-OLD CHICKS)

Poorani Transports
Poorani Granites
Poorani Group of Companies

6/1188 A Paramathy Road ,

Namakkal 637001 .
Phone: 04286-230752, 232752

I
 urr-w Q8',ufljrr(}", C:urr~w I ~!1filffr lI;QJmfilQ))iKI ~~IO!I\Q) II
~QrQlI;rrlO!l\L ~~Ii1IlQ)!!1 (§1O!I\f1)t6J6 II;L..Lim'LO!111

Phone : (04328)
10 th Ql®U4 (Jfb(!5)WQJIf Lq-uGYf(Jwrr 209366, 209367
264237, 264327,
U)iJTQv 2 ~~tj~IU~IJ~~lnil 264347, 98424 - 64237

~®lD~ 6T6\SllfQu~ f!!jW6'l!JIj~ lDLLVWW

fil!1)ljib as;rriffiliJ, 2.UJ!JIj~ aibtTiffil
urr6\SlQLBiQflBi 8)Q)~1ft E &C 100% E.E.E. 98%
(1l>t..61/:pa; ~[18i & AECTE 4~L4-~<i!SJ ~rMla;rr[1w QUcD!D~) (!jJibfiJ UJi)u"u~ 574/ 6()J1961J6
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t.5IL.LlT, 6T~8;L.rTr4JUJ~, COPA
(W~QJlI' JL6'mOlj ffi)(jJl~UJL~ Qt!1~ ~QJ8;a;u/aLDivrfi(i5)~u u oir.in
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* 6T~8;L.[1lTro18;W & Q;w~ro1aa;~m
~aV. G'iuaV ~~~~aR 1iU1(Elfi) QllI'fi) .2-aV(El. ufio QllI'fj) .2-Ailr~
8'911QS)lI; lI;LLQSIST~i61QJ (;8'(J .2-L(;W QJ(JQJw.
 R.P.M. Retreads
R.S. No. 181/3, G.N. Palyam
Villianur Main Road,
(Near Railway Gate)
Pondicherry - 605 001

'Best COmp [iments :rrom

WfR
Q .rl.' @~ e
OLYMPUS

LAZER
INSTRUMENTTION
4, Chokkalingam Nagar, Chennai
Pin - 600086 & 2432 1617, 2432161 8
(R) 044-3713424 Fax: 044-24321837
Email: lazer@md4.vsnl.net.in
 Witli 'Best Compfiments :From

Educational Supplies
(Improters, Library Book,
Suppliers and
Subscription Agents)
Block A-02, Ground Floor,
Brigade MM Complex A. Sreenivasa Rao
Charatered Account
Yediyoor
Bangalore - 560 08 2
Phone: 080-6769509
First Floor
Fax : 080-6769954 111-A Kamatchi
Email: jai@blr.vsnl.net.in Amman Koil Street
Web : www.edu .supplies .com Pondicherry - 605 001 .

'Best Comp [iments :From

v. Sudha, M.A.,
Sudha Consultancy Services
1VIesse:n..gers
Ground Floor
111-A Kamatchi 213, Thiruvalluvar Salai
Amman Koil Street Pondicherry - 605 001
Pondicherry - 605 00 I

•
 POORANI ANIMAL CENTRE
PRIVATE LIMITED

114-8 , PONNI PLAZA, PARAMATHI ROAD,

NAMAKKAL - 637 001 .
PHONE NO. 04286 - 227752, 227751
CELL PHONE: 98430 - 37752 I 98427 - 37752

AUTHORISED AND LEADING STOCKISTS

FOR POULTRY HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS

:r
Witn '.Best Comp {iments rom

<it INDIAN HERBS SPECIALITIES

~ INTERVET
~ JUBILIANT ORGANOSYS
~ NEOSPARK DRUGS AND CHEMICALS P LTD.,
~ PFIZER LIMITED
~ RANBAXY ANIMAL HEALTH
~ SARABHAI ZYDUS ANIMAL HEALTH LIMITED
~ SANJEEV ENTERPRISES
~ VARSHA GROUP

••

•
n Micro Devices Metrohm Limited
New No.13, Old No.4ll, 1st Avenue, Indira Nagar,
Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.
Phone : 2441 0444,24452726, 2445 3826 Fax : 2443 0384
E-mail: ramanathan@mdml.com
Homepage : http://www.mdml.com
 With 'Best Compliments 'from

SHRI MARUTHI AGENCIES

INDIAN OIL DEALER
Right Quality & Quantity is our Strength

PLOT NO.3, V.I.P NAGAR,

ARUMPARATHAPURAM ,
PONDICHERRY - 605 110.
TEL : 229074, 2292644
I

LABINDIA INSTRUMENTS PVT. LTD.,

B 1, ALSA Regency,
165, Eldams Road, Chennai - 600018. ..
TELEPHONE: 24347008124320352 FAX: 24346328 E-MAIL:
Iip1 chn@md3.vsnl.neUn

Exclusive marketers and distributors in India for:

Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH, Germany
Microscopes:
*COMPOUND J RESEARCH MICROSCOPES FOR
LIGHTFIELD & DARKFIELD 1 PHASE CONTRAST,
FLUORESCENCE AND DIC APPLICATIONS I
INVERTED MICROSCOPES , POLARIZING
MICROSCOPES, AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC
SYSTEMS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, UPRIGHT/INVERTED
METALLURGICAL MICROSCOPES, STEREO
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APPLICATIONS, CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING
MICROSCOPES AND COLPOSCOPE , ETC .
PerkinElmer, USA ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS:
*Complete range of analytical instruments like Gas
Chromatograph, GC-HS, GC-MS, HPLC, UV-VIS
Spectrophotometer, Fluorescence Spectrometer, FTIR,
Polarimeter, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, ICP,
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o Analysers and LlMS (Laboratory Information
Management System).
Applied Biosystems, LIFE SCIENCE INSTRUMENTS
USA *PCR system and reagents, LCMS , LC-MS-MS , DNA
Sequencers, Protein Sequencers and synthesizers.
Leica Microsystems Histology
Nussloch, GmbH, Germany.
*Entire range of Histology Equipments like Manual I
Automated Rotary Microtomes I Tissue Processors I
Cryostat I Automated Slide Stainers I Automatic Tissue
Ebedding System .
Labindia
Instruments Pvt. Ltd. INDIGENOUS ITEMS
*Auto Titrator, Karl Fischer Titrator, Melting Point
Apparatus, Dissolution Test Apparatus, PH Conductivity/
Ion Meters, Histoplate & Histobath.
Surface Imaging
Systems, Germany ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE
Head Office THANE
Other Offices at MUMBAI , DELHI , CALCUTTA , HYDERABAD,
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