International research centre for FMD opens in Khurdha

Bhubaneswar: An International Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease (ICFMD) has been opened at Jatni Argul on the outskirts of capital city.

While inaugurating the facility on Utkal Divas, Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh said many SAARC countries would be benefited by the centre besides India. Virus of the deadly disease will be identified and preventive medicines will be manufactured at the centre.

“The research centre on around 100 acre land was constructed at Rs 200 crore. This is 10th such facility of the country. Over 15 scientists and 30 engineers would work at the centre,” said the Group Head of the Engineer National Diary, JS Gandhi.

He further stated that the research centre would provide wide opportunity for the veterinary practitioners to conduct research on viral disease of cattle and buffaloes.

The centre has been built in alliance with United Nation’s food and Agriculture Organization and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) of the Union Government.