India develops bird flu vaccine: Pawar

New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today declared that India had developed indigenous vaccine against the bird flu disease.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) has successfully developed the vaccine after the break of the avian influenza in the country in February 2006, said Mr Pawar while addressing the 77th Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society here.

ICAR Director General Mangala Rai said it was a big step in tackling the disease in the country.

''Viral disease such as avian influenza does not recognise boundaries and the development of indigenous vaccine would go a long way in tackling bird flu effectively,'' said Dr Rai.

The Minister said the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) to be launched this month with World Bank assistance with an investment of Rs 1150 crore would help in increasing the income of the farmers with livelihood security.

''The project envisages targeting the rural poor and the disadvantaged groups like women as beneficiaries of agricultural technology,'' he said.

The food grain production had increased from 522 kg per hectare in 1950-51 to 1700 kg per hectare in 2005 due to development and adoption of improved, high yield and disease resistant seeds, Mr Pawar added.

UNI PAT PA KN1655