Narendra Singh Tomar Launches Animal Vaccine & Kits Developed by the ICAR-NRC

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar launched Animal Vaccine and other Diagnostic Kits developed by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana. The Ancovax Equines Vaccine is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta (COVID-19) Animal Vaccine.

Ancovax-induced immunity neutralizes both the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine contains an adjuvant, Alhydrogel, and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen. It is not harmful to dogs, lions, leopards, mice, or rabbits.

"The unparalleled contributions of the Council's scientists have helped the country succeed not only in essential crop production but also in various fields of agricultural and allied sciences at the global level," said Tomar after launching the vaccine via video conferencing. "It is because of the tireless contributions of scientists that the country is more self-sufficient in developing its own vaccines rather than importing." This is a significant accomplishment," he added.

Tomar stated that the government, led by PM Narendra Modi, is working tirelessly to improve the financial situation of the rural population, poor people, and farmers, as well as to raise their standard of living and that our scientists have made significant contributions to this effort. Our scientists' research is widely praised, which makes us all proud.

We are proud that, during the Covid crisis, which disrupted even the most developed and technologically advanced nations, our countrymen demonstrated an unparalleled vision of discipline under the leadership of our Prime Minister Modi. During this crisis, the Prime Minister did an excellent job of steering the country's economy, and our scientists worked tirelessly to develop vaccines in record time. Our country's discipline and leadership during the Covid crisis are still admired around the world.

Tomar praised the Equine Research Center for developing six vaccines and 19 diagnostic technologies for the prevention of infectious diseases in equines and other animals, four of which were launched today.

Among the new diagnostic kits available today is the CAN-CoV-2 ELISA Kit. It is a sensitive and specific nucleocapsid protein-based indirect ELISA Kit for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in Canines. Antigen preparation does not require the use of laboratory animals. The Kit is manufactured in India, and a patent has been applied for. There are no other comparable kits on the market for detecting antibodies in Canines.

Surra ELISA Kit is an appropriate Diagnostic Assay for Trypanosoma evansi infection in a variety of animal species. The Surra is a major haemoprotozoan disease of various livestock species caused by Trypanosoma evansi. The disease is found in all agro-climatic regions of India. Surra is estimated to cost India Rs. 44.740 billion in livestock productivity losses each year.

The Equine DNA Parentage Testing Kit is a powerful genomic tool for determining parentage. Using Multiplex PCR Technology to compare allele sizes, the parentage of horses can be definitively established. An optimized 21 DNA Market Panel is being used for Parentage testing at ICAR-NRC on Equines.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), reaffirmed the Council's commitment to disseminating the various technologies developed by its Scientists to farmers' doorsteps. This will contribute to the realization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the Lab-to-Land initiative.

Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary (Animal Husbandry and Dairying), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, emphasized that the Institute's new technologies and vaccines will aid in the early diagnosis and containment of various diseases in livestock. The Kits will allow him to match the DNA of the specific Equines to their parents.