Opportunities for research in Climate change

                       The COP 26 UN Climate change conference at Glasgow in Scotland create lot of opportunities for students to do research in climate resilient sectors. At a time lot of students from India are interested to pursue research from abroad,  they can avail funding fromUN Framework on climate change which was  lead by United States. The consortium will provide green technologies and funding to adapt extreme climatic events. India suggested to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, where as China will achieve the target by 2060 which was declared during the Glasgow summit. Recently published IPCC' s 6 th report highlighted 1.5 degree Celsius increase in additional warming and warned for taking mitigatory measures to avoid the increase in temperature beyond 2 degree Celsius.

Prime Minister of India announced that India will achieve net zero emissions by 2070.By 2030 India will ensure 50 percent of it' s energy from renewable energy sources.India will reduce carbon emissions by a billion tonnes and emissions intensity by 45 percent. As part of climate justice, India suggested that rich developed countries ought to provide at least one trillion dollars climate finance to assist developing countries. India will focus more on climate adaptation including mitigation. 

India launched an ambitious initiative for developing the infrastructure of small island nations. This will provide biggest relief to most vulnerable countries facing threat due to climate changes. Coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure ( CDRI) or IRIS is involved in this initiative.India, UK and Australia are involved in this coalition. India's council on energy, environment and water CEEW appreciated the country' s effort on addressing severe climate risks.

In the Glasgow summit India and UK Governments called the green grids initiative- One Sun, One World, One Grid for seamless energy. Climate Compatible growth consortium of Universities including Cambridge, Imperial college, Oxford and University College London and Green Grid initiatives will provide the research support in the Asia Pacific  region.

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 Dairy crisis can be reduced through market led scientific interventions

At a time when Covid 19 disruptions and continuous lockdown are prevailing in the country, milk co-operatives are unable to procure entire quantity of milk from farmers which affect sustainable dairying system in the state. Need of the hour is to think of market led production by dairy farmers. Absence of drought and emergence of pre monsoon rain has facilitated increased availability of green fodder and thus quantum jump in milk production. 10 Kg of green fodder can substitute one kg of concentrates. Since feed cost form 3/4^th of the cost of production of milk, availability of green fodder coupled with pre monsoon weather will reduce cost of production of milk. But the procurement and marketing crisis has affected the sustainability in dairying.

Dairy farmers can think of certain scientific interventions through which loss due to excess production can be reduced. Market led production strategies can be adapted based on marketable quantity of milk. Quantity of concentrates can be reduced substantially based on quantity of milk required which in turn will facilitate farmers to save the excess feed cost. Moreover they need to convert excess quantity of milk in to easily marketable value added dairy products like ghee, butter, curd, etc using traditional technologies. Some of the farmers used to milk only required quantity of milk. This is an unscientific practice which may cause mastitis and subsequent production losses. Those fully relying on Milk co-operatives can think of even unorganized marketing by local interventions to tide over the situation.

Dry cow therapy can be practiced among pregnant cows which are beyond 7 months of gestation. Initially frequency of milking can be reduced along with reduction in quantity of milk ration. Antibiotic intra mammary infusions can be used at three weeks interval to reduce postpartum mastitis.

Forth coming monsoon will be a flush season for Dairying in the State and departments of Animal husbandry, Dairy development and Milk Unions are trying to achieve self sufficiency in milk production within one year. Dairy cattle must be vaccinated against contagious diseases like foot and mouth disease and hemorrhagic septicemia along with scientific management measures must be followed to reduce increasing incidences of mastitis.

 

‘One health’ to ensure food safety and control of zoonotic diseases

Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan

                   Severity and impact of Covid 19 pandemic reveals that one virus can change the entire world! Similarly food safety has emerged as a global public health issue. According to World Health Organization’s estimates, annually 3-5 billion cases of diarrhea are occurring globally due to food safety issues. It is a fact that more than 1.8 million deaths occur among children below five years of age and the significant proportion of these results are through consumption of food.  Five lakh children below five years of age die every year due to diarrhea in India. Food safety has emerged as an important global issue due to international trade and public health implications. Food borne diseases may be caused by bacteria and bacterial toxins, viruses, zoonotic parasites, fungi and fungal toxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, drug residues, food adulterants and food additives. Salmonella, shigella, clostridium, staphylococcus, vibrio, listeria monocytogenes, campylobacter, yersenia, brucella and mycobacterium are some of the major groups of bacteria causing food borne illness. Among viruses Rota virus, norovirus and hepatitis virus (A & E) cause food borne infections. Indiscriminate use of pesticides and antibiotic residues in the food chain will create lot of public health issues. This in turn will affect exports and may lead to rejection of consignments. Increased microbial resistance to antibiotics and contamination due to pesticides and heavy metals may cause serious health issues. Adulteration of vegetable and animal foods causes serious health issues. Residues, primary production, traceability, biosecurity concerns, environmental contaminants, disease monitoring, reporting, data collection and risk assessment are some of the important food safety related issues.

Melamine and oxytocin in milk cause serious health issues in India. Pesticide residues in vegetables cause serious health issues. Analytical data reveals that big onion, carrot, beans, cucumber, tomato and curry leaves contain more than permissible level of pesticide residues. This may cause endocrine, reproductive abnormalities and immune suppression. Antibiotics are widely used in food animals as growth promoters to treat and control infections. Unfortunately India has no regulation to control the excess use of antibiotics in poultry. Serious food born infections are getting reported daily across the World. Backyard poultry sector faces outbreak of salmonella infections. It can also occur in Onion, lemon, vegetables and peaches.

Maintenance of food safety is the shared responsibility of Government, food business operators and consumers. Governments should maintain up to date and science based legal standards. Health awareness and extension programmes should be given more importance. Food safety and Standards authority of India is involved in ensuring the regulatory norms and operation of National food control system. Food business operators should produce safe food adhering to the established regulatory requirements. At a time due to Covid 19 disruptions, online food retail is acquiring momentum across the world, food handling need to be given utmost importance. Consumer has the responsibility to read the instructions on the product package, hygiene, cleaning the hands, raw vegetables, contaminated surfaces including proper refrigeration of perishable products. While cooking, sufficient internal temperature should be maintained.

Of the contagious diseases, more than 65 percent are zoonotic diseases. It has been established that Covid 19 had originated from wuhan animal market in China. Changes in Biodiversity, habitat and climate will cause emergence of zoonotic pathogens. Deforestation, antimicrobial resistance, intensified agricultural practices and illegal wild life trade may aggregate the situation. Food safety must accompany food and nutrition security. Production of safe food is a driving force for sustainable development. Compromised food safety may lead to food born infections and subsequent mortality.

One health strategies

One health has emerged as the single solution to control zoonotic and other contagious diseases. According to food and agriculture Organization, ‘One health’ is a collaborative international, cross sectoral, multidisciplinary mechanism to address threats and reduce risks of detrimental infectious diseases at the animal-human-ecosystem interface. It is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of healthcare for humans, animals and the environment. Some of the strategic options of one health include protection from zoonotic diseases, ensure food security and food safety, protect animal health and welfare and protect trade.

Recent research findings reveal that number of publications using one health has shown quantum jump in the recent years. Interdisciplinary approach is a requisite for implementing one health strategies. Physicians, Veterinarians, wild life experts, ecologists, healthcare workers, educators and media must work together to achieve the envisaged objectives. The concept of one health can be effectively implemented so as to reduce incidences of Covid 19 pandemic. One Health is "the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment", as defined by the One Health Initiative Task Force. While investigating the etiology of diseases strategic approach, incorporating scientists from multidisciplinary sources will yield confirmatory results. Top of Form

 

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One health model is a globally accepted model for research on epidemiology, diagnosis and control of zoonotic diseases. One health model facilitates interdisciplinary approach for disease control so as to control emerging and existing zoonotic threats. World Health Organization has started addressing emerging issues of antimicrobial resistance through one health research. Developing countries are in the process of promoting one health research for developing a sustainable disease control system. They are using Health analytics and data management tools for accurate results. Asian and Trans Pacific countries are giving more thrust to this sector. BBSRC (Biotechnology and biological sciences research Council), UK, Future farming based at University of Western Australia and Melinda and Gates foundation are giving potential funding support to one health model. Interdisciplinary approach will facilitate speedy implementation of one health model in the country.

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Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan is an Educational and Career Consultant & former Director of Entrepreneurship @ Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University. Email- tpsethu2000@gmail.com. He is the Consultant to World Bank.

 

Honour to KAU Scientist in Climate Science

            The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva in collaboration with the International Research Centre on El Nino is organizing a three day symposium on Climate Risk Management (CRM) from 10th to 12th October, 2011 in Guayaquil, Ecuador (South America). Dr.GSLHV Prasada Rao, has been invited to participate in the symposium in his capacity as expert in climate variability/change and agriculture, and related risk management issues in the humid tropics. Altogether 20 participants have been invited to participate in the symposium and deliberate on climate risk management across the world. He has been given a time slot of 15 minutes to speak on the above subject to prepare a roadmap in this direction. He is the only scientist representing India. Other participants are mostly from USA, Australia, UK, China, New Zealand and Ecuador with UNDP and NOAA experts along with a few members from developing countries. This symposium is being organized under Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) promoted by the commission for climatology under WMO. The GFCS is designed to mainstream climate science into decision making at all levels and ensure that every country and every climate - sensitive sector of society is well equipped to access and apply relevant climate information, enabling an adjustment of planning and decisions to optimize the given situation. The application of climate services, therefore involves close interaction between all stakeholders including the providers and the users, and requires concerted multi-disciplinary efforts.

Senior experts in the fields of agriculture, water resources, health and disasters, and with global expertise in operation CRM are invited to prepare authoritative discussion papers to address the objectives of the symposium. This will serve as a valuable source of information to WMO members and partners for consideration in designing and implementing operational activities under the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).

In this direction, as a part of human resources in climate risk management, an Academy of climate change Education and Research’ has been established by the Kerala Agricultural University to generate skilled graduates and post graduates with intake capacity of 20 Indian nationals. This is the first of its kind in India and Asia with multi-institutional and multi-faculty involvement.

Dr.Rao took his Ph.D from Andhra University, Waltair in climate science in 1980 and did research in Arid and Humid climates of India in relation to climate risk management. His contributions helped to the State Government of Kerala in preparing base paper in Cauvery river water issues and Central Drought Relief Fund. He is a scientist member in the statutory body of the GoK in State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). He is also a member in climate change committee of the State planning board for preparing 12th plan proposals. He was a member in 13th finance committee of the State Government in the field of climate and environment management. He is actively involved in education, research and extension since last three decades in the field of climate science and Tropical Agriculture.

National stakeholder’s Workshop held at CRIDA, Hyderabad from 19th-20th September2011

National stakeholder’s consultation workshop on climate change platform was held at CRIDA, Hyderabad to assess the current status and to formulate the road map for the 12th Plan.
Climate change impacts on Agriculture are being witnessed all over the world, but countries like India are more vulnerable in view of the huge population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors. Coping with climate change is critical for agriculture to sustain 4 percent growth rate. Agriculture s one of the eight missions identified by Prime minister’s National action plan for climate change. Indian Council of Agricultural research identified climate change as one of the 20 high priority platforms for 12th plan. Stake holders of the workshop included representatives from ICAR institutions, State agricultural Universities, Veterinary and fisheries Universities and non Governmental organizations. Objective of the programme was to create a platform for research, knowledge dissemination and knowledge management in the areas of impacts of climate change in Agriculture and allied sectors.
Back ground
National Project on Climate Change was started as an ICAR network project during the 10th plan period(2005), Climarice(Norway), World Bank (2009), NGOs(Oxfam,DA), ICRISAT, IWMI and ACCER are doing pioneering research in the areas of climate change research.
Current status
National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture(NICRA) was launched by ICAR on 2nd February 2011.The Scheme has an out lay of Rs 350 Crores for 11th Plan; out of which 200 Crores is allocated for 2010-11 and 150 Crores for 2011-12.Major objectives of this project are to enhance the resilience of Indian Agriculture covering crops, Livestock, Poultry and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies, demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers fields for adapting to current climatic risks and enhance capacity building and knowledge dissemination process.
Major components of the scheme are strategic research on adaptation and mitigation, technology demonstration and dissemination, capacity building and sponsored competitive research to fill the critical gaps.
Climate Change research in Agriculture sector, objectives of the proposed climate change platform, research priorities in Livestock, fisheries, Poultry, natural resource management, Technology demonstration, dissemination, knowledge management and community mobilization were discussed in detail during the two day meeting. Inputs/proposals from the participants for identifying the themes or 12th Plan period were also finalized.
Prospects for Livestock and Poultry sector
Climate change adaptation studies with regard to Livestock and poultry sectors have immense potential in the study. Compared to crop sector, not much works have been done in this sector. Currently NDRI is one of the strategic institutions doing climate change research in the dairy sector.
Potential areas for Veterinary Universities are
• Technology development
• Technology dissemination
• Capacity building
• Climate change adaptive studies on small ruminants especially in Coastal and hilly areas
• Development of livestock breeds which can tolerate multiple climatic conditions
• Reliable hazard warning system
• Establishing Weather stations
• Environmental chambers
• Village level livestock based climate risk management programme
• Integrated projects
• Market intelligence
• Disease forecasting system
• Knowledge dissemination system for livestock and poultry farmers in the areas of feeding, management, disease control and marketing
Major themes identified for the 12th Plan
Session on Livestock, Fisheries and Poultry was chaired by Dr.C.S. Prasad, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Science University and co chaired by Dr.Gaya Prasad ADG (AS), ICAR.
Livestock sector
1. Impact assessment of climate change on livestock health, production and adaptation strategies
2. Identification of protein biomarkers responsible for adaptation and heat stress
3. Measurement of Methane level
4. Emergence of new diseases( including zoonotic diseases) and vectors
5. Study on Carbon and water foot prints
6. Soil profiling in terms of availability of micro nutrients
7. Nutritional management in terms of enhancing productivity with concurrent reduction of Methane level
8. Water quality and quantity management
9. Study on multiple adaptive traits including local habitats particularly from climate vulnerable areas
10. Identification of fodder varieties suitable for different climatic stress conditions-Bio prospecting
11. Integrated approach in livestock management particularly under hilly ecosystem
12. Metabolic diseases
13. Development of database on physiological and biochemical parameters
14. Studies on stress related molecular markers
15. Molecular characterization of common breeds of livestock and poultry
16. Modulation of feeding regimen to improve rumen function
17. Rumen biogeography of native breeds
18. Farm waste management system- on farm nutrient management
19. Documentation of Indigenous knowledge practices
20. Strengthening of disease surveillance
21. Capacity building
22. Developing knowledge dissemination system
23. Nutrition and extension strategies
24. Environmental impact on production and reproduction


Poultry sector
1. Nutritional modulations of climate change
2. Performance of birds under different THI and management conditions
3. Poultry waste management
4. Health management
5. Vaccination stress
6. Development of data base
Conclusion
Livestock and Poultry form one of the major areas identified under four modules of NICRA. Augmentation of fodder production during draught/floods, improving productivity, shelter management, vaccination programmes, etc are the major strands coming under this sector.
• Technology dissemination and demonstration play a key role in livestock sector. Strengthening linkage for technology dissemination is the need of the hour. Institutional interventions will help to address some of the major climate change issues. Need based Survey, collection of base line data, identification of climate related vulnerables, selection of specific technology models, documentation of the feedback, Reliable hazard warning system and creating awareness at the village level will help to enhance resilience of livestock production in the vulnerable parts of the state.

Better prospects ahead for climate change research on Livestock and Poultry

Better prospects ahead for climate change research on Livestock and Poultry
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
Climate change impacts on Agriculture are being witnessed all over the world, but countries like India are more vulnerable in view of the huge population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors. Coping with climate change is critical for agriculture to sustain 4 percent growth rate. Climate change will reduce productivity by 4.5-9 percent which in turn will reduce 1.5 percent reduction in GDP per year. In order to meet the emerging threats of food security, agriculture productivity must be increased. Moreover Agriculture is one of the eight missions identified by Prime minister’s National action plan for climate change. Indian Council of Agricultural Research identified climate change as one of the 20 high priority platforms for 12th plan. National initiatives are taking place to create a platform for research, knowledge dissemination and knowledge management in the areas of impacts of climate change in Agriculture and allied sectors.
Back ground
National Project on Climate Change was started as an ICAR network project during the 10th plan period(2005), Climarice(Norway), World Bank (2009), NGOs(Oxfam,DA), ICRISAT, IWMI and ACCER are doing pioneering research in the areas of climate change research.
Current status
National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture(NICRA) was launched by ICAR on 2nd February 2011.The Scheme has an out lay of Rs 350 Crores for 11th Plan; out of which 200 Crores is allocated for 2010-11 and 150 Crores for 2011-12.Major objectives of this project are to enhance the resilience of Indian Agriculture covering crops, Livestock, Poultry and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies, demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers fields for adapting to current climatic risks and enhance capacity building and knowledge dissemination process.
Major components of the scheme are strategic research on adaptation and mitigation, technology demonstration and dissemination, capacity building and sponsored competitive research to fill the critical gaps.
Climate Change research in Agriculture sector, objectives of the proposed climate change platform, research priorities in Livestock, fisheries, Poultry, natural resource management, Technology demonstration, dissemination, knowledge management and community mobilization were discussed in detail during the two day meeting. Inputs/proposals from the participants for identifying the themes or 12th Plan period were also finalized.

Prospects for Livestock and Poultry sector
Climate change adaptation studies with regard to Livestock and poultry sectors have immense potential in the study. Compared to crop sector, not much works have been done in this sector. Currently NDRI is one of the strategic institutions doing climate change research in the dairy sector.
Potential areas are Technology development, Technology dissemination, Capacity building, Climate change adaptive studies on small ruminants especially in Coastal and hilly areas, Development of livestock breeds which can tolerate multiple climatic conditions, Reliable hazard warning system, Establishing Weather stations, Environmental chambers, Village level livestock based climate risk management programme, Integrated projects, Market intelligence, Disease forecasting system and Knowledge dissemination system for livestock and poultry farmers in the areas of feeding, management, disease control and marketing
Major themes identified for the 12th Plan
Livestock sector
Impact assessment of climate change on livestock health, production and adaptation strategies, Identification of protein biomarkers responsible for adaptation and heat stress, Measurement of Methane level, Emergence of new diseases( including zoonotic diseases) and vectors, Study on Carbon and water foot prints, Soil profiling in terms of availability of micro nutrients, Nutritional management in terms of enhancing productivity with concurrent reduction of Methane level, Water quality and quantity management and Study on multiple adaptive traits including local habitats particularly from climate vulnerable areas are some of the major themes coming under Livestock sector.
Moreover Identification of fodder varieties suitable for different climatic stress conditions-Bio prospecting, Integrated approach in livestock management particularly under hilly ecosystem, Metabolic diseases, Development of database on physiological and biochemical parameters, Studies on stress related molecular markers, Molecular characterization of common breeds of livestock and poultry, Modulation of feeding regimen to improve rumen function, Rumen biogeography of native breeds, Farm waste management system- on farm nutrient management, Documentation of Indigenous knowledge practices, Strengthening of disease surveillance, Capacity building, Developing knowledge dissemination system, Nutrition and extension strategies and Environmental impact on production and reproduction require more attention while formulating climate resilient livestock sector.
Poultry sector
Nutritional modulations of climate change, Performance of birds under different THI and management conditions, Poultry waste management, Health management, Vaccination stress and Development of data base are the potential areas of research coming under poultry sector.
Conclusion
Livestock and Poultry form one of the major areas identified under four modules of NICRA. Augmentation of fodder production during draught/floods, improving productivity, shelter management, vaccination programmes, etc are the major strands coming under this sector. Technology dissemination and demonstration play a key role in livestock sector. Strengthening linkage for technology dissemination is the need of the hour. Institutional interventions will help to address some of the major climate change issues. Need based Survey, collection of base line data, identification of climate related vulnerables, selection of specific technology models, documentation of the feedback, Reliable hazard warning system and creating awareness at the village level will help to enhance resilience of livestock production in the vulnerable parts of the country.
Recently a National level stakeholder’s consultation workshop on climate change platform was held at CRIDA, Hyderabad from 19th-20th September 2011 to assess the current status and to formulate the road map for the 12th Plan.

Keralite Professor received highest honour in Australia

Keralite Professor received highest honour in Australia
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
Professor Kadambot H.M.Sidhique, a native of Kodungalloor and currently the Chair in Agriculture and Director, UWA Institute of Agriculture and Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia has been honoured as the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in Queen’s birthday honors’ list. The citation recognized his lifetime’s work in advancing agricultural science as an academic and researcher. In 2005 he was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) recognizing his outstanding contribution to Australian and international agriculture, particularly his innovative research and leadership in production agronomy, crop physiology, germplasm development and breeding of grain legumes (pulses) and cereal crops. In 2009 he received a gold medal and citation from the former President on India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, for his international contribution to agricultural science and education. In 2001, Siddique received the prestigious “Urrbrae Memorial Award” for his contribution to Australian agricultural science and the industry.
Professor Siddique has 25 years of experience in agricultural research, teaching and management in both Australia and overseas. As a result of Professor Siddique’s personal research and with others with whom he collaborates, Australia has become one of the major grain legume exporting nations in the world and he is the Winthrop Professor of the University. He has developed an extensive network of scientists within Australia and has also established a diverse range of overseas (China, India, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, East Timor, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Europe, Canada, USA) collaborative research and educational projects and holds a number of national and international committee positions and has published more than 200 scientific papers, review articles and book chapters. As an Alumni of Kerala Agricultural University he was instrumental in establishing Academic of Climate change Education and research at Kerala Agricultural University in association with University of Western Australia.
Recently Professor Sidhique visited Kerala to deliver a talk on Global agricultural Production and impacts on climate change at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur.He suggested that Agricultural issues of the state need immediate attention by Government in the following thrust areas.
Labour shortage is a serious problem and large scale mechanization is essential. Requirement of machines for garden land agriculture for perennials is increasing- digging, coconut harvesting, basin operations, hill implements etc. Weather advisories and forecasting models needs to expand the weather net work. Productivity of crops are quite low. Larger issues on agro climatic planning for addressing yield gaps of perennials are existing. Exploiting the local potential as well as participatory technology development, management like deep ploughing etc are not practiced. Consultancy/demonstration of agro techniques for productivity increase could be considered.
Water management is an issue in Kerala- water harvesting, rehabilitation of tanks and ponds, water use efficiency, enhancing agronomic aspects, micro irrigation, etc must be popularized in the state. Attention on precision farming for vegetables, banana etc are practiced in isolated areas. This could be expanded to larger areas. Projects to promote Organic farming, Soil fertility, wet land ecosystem, farmer group based technology transfer, value addition, safe use of pesticides, capacity building and strategies to improve the health of major rivers are the need of the hour; Prof.Sidhique added.