Introduction:
The Indian government has recently signed an agreement with the Institute of Veterinary Biological Products (IVBP) in Pune to facilitate the commercial production of the indigenously developed vaccine called ‘Lumpi-ProVac.’ This vaccine aims to control lumpy skin disease in cattle, a condition that poses a significant challenge to the livestock sector in India.
Collaborative Development:
The ‘Lumpi-ProVac’ vaccine has been developed through a collaboration between the National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture in Haryana, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, and ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh.
Non-Exclusive Rights and Commercial Production:
Agrinnovate India Ltd., the commercial arm of the Department of Agriculture Research and Education, has granted ‘non-exclusive rights’ to IVBP for the commercial production of the vaccine for a period of ten years. This agreement aims to enable large-scale production of the vaccine, ensuring its availability for the livestock sector in India.
Government’s Call for Action:
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, urged IVBP to commence manufacturing the vaccine on a large scale without any delay following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU). The objective is to address the urgent need for effective control measures against lumpy skin disease in cattle.
Expansion to Goat Pox Vaccine:
In addition to controlling lumpy skin disease, the MoU also facilitates the large-scale production of the Goat Pox vaccine to meet the future requirements of India’s livestock sector. This development holds promise for mitigating the impact of both diseases in the country.
Expected Impact and Technology Patent:
The vaccine technology is anticipated to meet market standards and provide a robust defense mechanism against lumpy skin disease. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has filed a patent for the vaccine technology, reinforcing its significance in addressing the disease.
Background on Lumpy Skin Disease:
Lumpy Skin Disease was first reported in India in 2019, with the initial case identified in Odisha. Since then, the disease has spread to multiple states across the country, resulting in significant production losses and mortality among cattle. The disease has been managed thus far using the Goat Pox vaccine. However, the development of an indigenous vaccine specifically targeting lumpy skin disease is crucial for better control and prevention.
Prominent Figures Present:
The signing event witnessed the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, State Animal Husbandry Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, ICAR Deputy Director General B N Tripathi, and other top officials from IVRI, NRCE, and AgIn.
With this collaboration and the production of the ‘Lumpi-ProVac’ vaccine, India aims to combat lumpy skin disease effectively and minimize its adverse impact on the country’s cattle population and the livestock industry as a whole.
