By Bureau Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | June 1, 2026
AGARTALA: In a major push to eliminate infectious livestock plagues and safeguard the state’s dairy infrastructure, Tripura Animal Resources Development (ARD) Minister Sudhangshu Das formally inaugurated the state-wide fifth phase of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccination Programme today.
The high-priority health campaign was launched during a community rural assembly organized in the Binpara area under the local Gram Panchayat.
The inaugural field event was attended by Panchayat Samiti Vice Chairman Jhuton Das, alongside senior veterinary doctors, block development officials, and dozens of local dairy farmers who brought their cattle for on-spot immunization.
A Critical Health Shield for the Rural Dairy Sector
Foot and Mouth Disease—locally known as Khudapira or Khurrog—is a highly contagious viral illness that affects cloven-hoofed livestock, including cows, buffaloes, pigs, and goats. While the virus has a low mortality rate among adult animals, it severely reduces milk yield, causes chronic weakness, and causes massive financial losses for small-scale dairy producers.
Key Structural Goals of the 5th Phase Vaccination Campaign:
- Total Saturation Target: The ARD department aims to cover 100% of the eligible cattle and buffalo population across all eight districts during this time-bound phase.
- Ear-Tagging and Digital Tracking: Every vaccinated animal is being fitted with a unique 12-digit polyurethane ear tag to link its health records directly onto the central digital database.
- Free-of-Cost Delivery: Funded entirely under the central livestock health management guidelines, the vaccine doses, logistics, and field doctor services are being provided completely free of charge to rural farmers.
“Healthy Cattle are Essential for an Atmanirbhar Village”: Minister Sudhangshu Das
Addressing the gathering after administering the inaugural vaccine dose to a local dairy cow, Minister Sudhangshu Das stated that his department is taking a proactive stance to prevent seasonal disease outbreaks.
”A single outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease can completely destroy the financial stability of an entire village panel. When our milch cows fall sick, milk production drops to zero, throwing our marginal farmers into deep economic distress.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, our double-engine government has prioritized absolute disease eradication over reactive treatments. We are launching this fifth phase with an aggressive door-to-door deployment strategy. Our veterinary teams will move deep into the interior pockets of every block to make sure no livestock is left out. I appeal to all our panchayat representatives and local clubs to spread the word so that every single rural household actively participates in this free immunization drive,” Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhangshu Das announced to reporters.
Panchayat Leadership Pledges Grassroots Mobilization
Speaking at the event, Panchayat Samiti Vice Chairman Jhuton Das assured the visiting administrative cell that local volunteers are actively compiling household livestock registries to assist veterinary field workers.
To ensure maximum efficiency during the summer season, the department has supplied specialized cold-chain storage boxes to all rural veterinary dispensaries to preserve vaccine potency during remote field operations.
