To enhance the existing system of reporting diseases among farmers and to improve the reporting of aquatic animal diseases in the country, Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), launched the Report Fish Disease (RFD) application.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources developed the app under the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD, which is funded by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada initiative.
Through the RFD app, farmers will be able to effectively report disease occurrences in finfish, shrimps, and molluscs on their farms, directly engaging with field-level officers and fish health experts. This valuable resource will provide farmers with scientific advice for the optimal management of diseases. The app will store data related to these diseases on both temporal and spatial scales, enabling the mapping of disease cases for further analysis and evaluation.
The application will aid farmers in enhancing their reporting capabilities, receiving scientific guidance, and mitigating losses caused by diseases, leading to an overall increase in farmers’ income. Furthermore, the application will have a significant influence on fish disease management, facilitating early detection, prompt response, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. It will play a crucial role in promoting the sustainability and resilience of aquaculture systems by reducing the adverse effects of fish diseases on fish populations, industries, and ecosystems.
The aquaculture industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with current export earnings from the sector reaching approximately IN 570 million (US$ 6.9 million) in the year 2021-22. However, the growth of aquaculture is hindered by the prevalence of diseases. Effective surveillance of aquatic animal diseases is crucial for early detection, allowing for timely intervention and minimising their adverse effects. Unfortunately, many instances of diseases in aquaculture remain unreported due to the absence of a field-level disease reporting mechanism. Consequently, there is a need for a mechanism that can facilitate the connection between farmers, field-level officers, and fish health experts.
The launch event was attended by L. Murugan, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with senior officials from the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), ICAR, and NSPADD.
DAHD recently launched the NANDI (NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System) portal to increase transparency within the regulatory approval process for assessing and examining veterinary product proposals. According to Minister Rupala, veterinary vaccines have a significant effect on animal health and production, which impacts human health. They play a crucial role in ensuring safe food supplies and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans. Prioritising the health of livestock means ensuring a consistent and regular supply of vaccines and medicines.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the portal aims to boost growth and innovation by enabling quick and easy coordination between various government departments, institutes, and the industry. The portal has inbuilt features for end-to-end coordination between departments, committees/subcommittees, and applicants. To make the process more streamlined, the portal will integrate the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s SUGAM portal.
