Veterinary Institute Research Articles

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of pox infection among sheep and goats in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia

BackgroundSheep and goat pox virus infection is highly devastating viral disease of small ruminants that cause severe production losses in sheep and goats in Ethiopia and also limits international trade. A cross-sectional study was employed with the objective to estimate the seroprevalence of pox infection and to assess associated risk factors during the study period, February to April, 2020. A total of 384 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy sheep and goats. Serum neutralization test was used to detect the presence of antibodies against pox virus at national veterinary institute. Descriptive statistics, univariable and Multivariable logistic analyses were used in this study. ResultsThe overall animal level seroprevalence of sheep and goat pox virus was found to be 15.36% (n = 59/384) and species level prevalence rate was found to be 14.5% (n = 16/110) in sheep and 15.69% (n = 43/274) in goats in the study areas. Among the associated factors considered in this study, sex (P = 0.010), age (P = 0.012) and herd size (P = 0.029) were found to be statistically associated with seropositivity of pox infection in multivariable logistic regression. The odds of seropositivity in female animals were 3.9 times more likely to develop pox infection than male animals (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.203–4.015%) and the odds of young animals were 2.14 times more likely to be seropositive to pox infection than old aged animals (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.169–3.633%). Moreover, the odds of large-sized flocks of animals were 3.10 times more likely to be seropositive to pox disease than small-sized flocks (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.30–4.42%). ConclusionThis study finding revealed that sheep and goat pox virus is prevalent and widespread diseases of small ruminant in afar region. Therefore, further study should be carried out to estimate region wise magnitude of the disease and control measures should be put in place to minimize the economic losses associated with this disease.

Comparing allele-specific expression in Sistani cattle and its crossbreds with Holstein, Simmental, and Montbeliarde

The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research (OJVR), is the official publication of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. It publishes scientific papers reporting original research on diseases and disease vectors of livestock and wildlife with a focus on Africa, but with results of more than local interest.

НАВЧАННЯ СТУДЕНТІВ ВЕТЕРИНАРНОЇ ТЕРМІНОЛОГІЇ (НА ПРИКЛАДІ НАЗВ ХВОРОБ ТВАРИН)

The article is devoted to teaching English at higher veterinary institutions. The importance of mastering veterinary terminology by future specialists for the successful scientific and practical clinical activity is emphasized. The significance of understanding the main peculiarities of the veterinary terminological system is stated. The research outlines the main features of veterinary terms. It represents the classification of the names of animal diseases as a part of specific veterinary terminology. They are classified according to the key words contained in the name: the distinctive symptom stated, the afflicted organ or the susceptible animal mentioned, the name of the researcher or the place of disease outbreak denoted, etc. The importance of understanding the main morphological features of the words of Greek and Latin origin naming the diseases of animals for those enriching professional vocabulary is shown. English for veterinary students is viewed as a part of English for Specific Purposes and as the one that corresponds to its main requirements and principles. The article comprises exercises for mastering veterinary terminology denoting diseases of animals in different types of reading, speaking, listening and writing activities. The importance of using modern comprehensive and translator dictionaries by students studying veterinary terminology is emphasized. The role of co-relation with other university courses is stated and illustrated.

A governance and coordination perspective - Sweden's and Italy's approaches to implementing One Health

The aim of this study is to broaden the understanding of how different institutional and political contexts influence the successful implementation of One Health activities. To do this, a comparative case study of Italy and Sweden, based on qualitative interviews was conducted to get an inside perspective of the structural and operational factors that impacted the implementation of the One Health approach. Concretely, the study draws on thirty-one interviews of experts from Italian and Swedish public health, veterinary, food and environmental institutes that were conducted from 2020 to 2021.The study identified important differences and similarities across the two countries with respect to governance and coordination practices. The different governance practices demonstrated that the creation and design of government agencies affected the ability to collaborate within and across sectors. Another distinction among the countries was their different approach to One Health-related procedures and meetings. Non-formalised and irregular approaches lead to challenges for collaboration and more fragmented One Health-related outputs. Similar coordination approaches in the two countries showed that institutional and project-specific One Health strategies enabled an inclusive process of designing the One Health activities. Leaders can contribute to implementing One Health projects and networks, by brokering to different sectors, enabling heterophilious collaborations and promoting knowledge translation.Hence, the comparative analysis provided insights and lessons learned into understanding institutional and government set-ups influencing One Health implementation and can inform about processes and steps that are crucial when planning and designing One Health activities.

Computed tomographic evaluation of the distal limb in the standing sedated horse: Technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and artifacts.

In several veterinary institutions, adjustments of CT machines have been made that allow for imaging of the standing horse. The risk of general anesthesia is eliminated and the shorter scan completion time reduces cost to clients. The objective of this retrospective, analytical study was to evaluate the technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and image artifacts of multi-slice helical CT of horses' distal limbs acquired under standing sedation. The CT images of 250 horses of various breeds, aged 3-23 years, that underwent standing distal limb CT were evaluated. Three observers assessed the CT images for artifacts and inter-observer agreement was calculated. Eighty-six percent (95% confidence interval (CI), 81-90) of the scans were carried out on the forelimbs, while 14% (95% CI, 10-19) were of the hindlimbs. A total of 65% (95% CI, 59-71) of horses that underwent standing sedated CT had single imaging diagnoses. Seventy-one percent (95% CI, 65-77) of the cases had unilateral lesions, 27% (95% CI, 22-33) had bilateral lesions and 2% (95% CI, 1-4) had no diagnosed lesions. The average CT acquisition time was 17.5 minutes (range=15-20). The average number of acquisitions per horse was 1.7 (median=1; range=1-4). There was good to excellent agreement between all three observers for the presence of motion artifact in the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints, identification of marked beam hardening artifact, mild solar/ skin dirt, and photon starvation artifact (kappa 0.61-0.80). No complications were encountered. Standing examination of the distal limb achieved diagnostic image quality that was obtained with minimal acquisition attempts and in a timely manner.

Lesions of the biliary system in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Lesions of the biliary system in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Comparative Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of CEF Cell-Based and DF-1 Cell Line Adapted Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccines in Specific-Pathogen-Free Chickens.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an immunosuppressive and economically important disease of young chickens caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). The National Veterinary Institute (Bishoftu, Ethiopia) produces intermediate IBDV vaccine using primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells, a method with technical and economical cumbersome. This study assessed the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of DF-1 cell line-adapted IBDV LC–75 vaccine strain in reference to the CEF-based vaccine. Confluent monolayer of DF-1 cells was infected with IBDV and cells with cytopathic effects were passaged until 3rd passage. Viral growth was confirmed using a one-step RT-PCR targeting IBDV VP2 gene. Viral titer increased from 1st passage through 3rd passage. Safety was assessed in 30 specific-pathogen-free chickens (15 chickens/group) injected with 10-fold field dose of each vaccine intraocularly and monitored for 21 days. For immunogenicity and efficacy, 60 specific-pathogen-free chickens were grouped into 3 (20 chickens/group). First and 2nd group received DF-1 cell and CEF-based IBDV vaccines, respectively. The 3rd group served as unvaccinated control. Antibody response was measured using iELISA. Chickens were challenged 4 weeks postvaccination with very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) intraocularly and followed-up for 10 days. Vaccination did not cause any adverse reactions during the 21 days of follow-up. In addition, both vaccines induced higher antibody titer 14 and 24 days-post-vaccination as compared to unvaccinated controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, DF-1 and CEF-based IBDV LC–75 vaccines rendered a complete protection against vvIBDV. Contrarily, morbidity and mortality in unvaccinated chickens was 50% and 30%, respectively. The results indicated that DF-1 and CEF cell-based IBDV vaccines are comparably immunogenic and efficacious. Therefore, DF-1 cell-line can be considered an affordable and convenient alternative to the CEF-based approach. The suitability of DF-1 cells to grow other IBDV strains and safety of these vaccines on bursa of Fabricius should further be investigated.

Mendel, Darwin, and Lysenko: the battle toward understanding genetics

Mendel, Darwin, and Lysenko: the battle toward understanding genetics August 1948 saw the Soviet government ban all teaching and research in genetics. Within a year, “the doctrine of agronomist Trofim Lysenko – dubbed ‘Soviet Creative Darwinism’ – replaced genetics in curricula and research plans of biological, medical, veterinary, and agricultural institutions.” (Krementsov 2010). Here, Ute Deichmann on the occasion of Gregor Mendel’s 200th birthday in 2022, commemorates his great achievements as a pioneer of genetics as well as the strongest attack on the gene concept in the history of science, launched in the Soviet Union under Stalin.

The relationship of the occurrence of mastitis in cats in daughters with parents according to anamnesis

Studies on the relationship between the occurrence of mastitis in daughters and parents according to anamnesis were carried out in the period from 2013 to 2021. on the basis of veterinary clinics in the cities of Rostov-on-Don (Dr. also on the basis of the North Caucasian Zonal Scientific Research Veterinary Institute - a branch of the FGBNU FRANC. The study included 235 cats admitted to veterinary clinics with a diagnosis of mastitis and with reliable anamnestic data of parents (mothers). For the first time, we found that mothers whose daughters fell ill with inflammation of the mammary gland most often developed pathologies such as mastitis and tumors of the mammary gland, while in the largest number of animals the pathology proceeded in a moderate or severe form. Thus, it can be argued that there is a correlation between the occurrence of mastitis in daughters and the presence of breast diseases in their mothers and the severity of the course of the pathological process. In the course of the research, an analysis was also made for the first time of the severity of the course of mastitis in relation to parents (mother-daughter). When analyzing the anamnestic data, it was found that in cats whose mothers had a history of mammary gland diseases, severe and moderate mastitis is most often noted. Significantly less often, a mild course of mastitis is recorded. And in cats, mothers who did not have a history of mammary gland diseases most often noted a mild course of the pathological process, while moderate and severe were recorded much less frequently. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the daughters obtained from mothers with breast diseases in the anamnesis are dominated by severe and moderate inflammation of the mammary gland.

Development issue of antiprotozoal agents to treat and prevent protozoal infections of fish, and theoretical and practical approaches to its solution

The purpose of the research is to determine safe parameters for the use of certain fatty acid amides against protozoal diseases of fish.Materials and methods. The synthesis and biological activity determination of new compounds were studied in laboratory conditions of the chemical synthesis creative team of the North Caucasus Zonal Research Veterinary Institute. The protistocidal activity of the new substances was determined in a liquid nutritional medium by serial dilution according to our technique. The ciliate Colpoda steinii was used as a test culture. The solution toxicity was determined on aquarium Guppy (Poecilia reticulata). The efficacy was assessed according to an alternative form of the response: the minimum concentration that all protozoan species died in was considered as protistocidal; the maximum concentration that all fish remained alive in was recognized as safe for the fish, i.e., the first concentration after the absolute lethal concentrations. Compliance with these conditions required the prepared solutions having minimal concentration ranges from 1 to 0.1 µg/mL, as well as continuous monitoring with recording the results. Two compounds were tested, namely, myristic acid amide and oleic acid amide.Results and discussion. The fish remained viable in the aqueous myristic acid amide solution concentration of 0.2 μg/mL for 3 days (monitoring period), and the fish remained alive for 3.5 hours or more (up to 20 hours) in the solution concentration of 0.5 μg/mL. At the same time, a concentration of 0.14 μg/mL had a protistocidal effect on the protozoan C. steinii if exposed for 40 minutes. The maximum tolerated oleic acid amide concentration for fish was 1 µg/mL if exposed for 2 or more days and 2 µg/mL if exposed for 4 h. The minimum protistocidal activity level of oleic acid amide was 0.58 µg/mL at an 18 h exposure.

Bacteriological Quality of Table Eggs in Moroccan Formal and Informal Sector.

Eggs constitute an important part of the Moroccan diet. However, contaminated eggs can cause a serious public health problem if consumed undercooked, uncooked, or used in unpasteurized egg foodstuffs. This study was carried out to evaluate the microbial contents of eggs according to their sales sector in Morocco. For that, a total of 1770 eggs were collected from January to September 2021 from formal markets (refrigerated eggs from large shopping centers) and informal markets (eggs at ambient temperature from ambulatory sellers, street vendors, kiosks, and neighborhood stores) and transferred to the Avian Pathology Unit at Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute. The eggshells and their contents were tested separately; swabs of eggshells were used to inoculate Mac-Conkey agar, while the egg contents were cultured on Mac-Conkey and Mannitol salt agar, then standard microbiological tests were performed to identify the isolated organisms. The results showed that informal eggs were more contaminated (87%) than formal eggs (48) (p < 0.05). The bacteria isolated from the eggshells (informal and formal) were Enterobacter agglomerans (59% and 21%), Klebsiella spp. (24% and 4%), Enterobacter cloacae (17% and 8%), E. coli (9% and 1%), Serratia spp. (9% and1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9% and 1%), Shigella spp. (5% and 0%), Salmonella enteritidis (0% and 2%), Proteus spp. (4% and 0%), Enterobacter sakazakii (2% and 0%), Rahnella aquatilis (1% and 0%), and Staphylococcus aureus (0% and 1%). For the egg-contents, the detected bacteria (informal and formal) were Enterobacter agglomerans (14% and 28%), Klebsiella spp. (7% and 6%), Staphylococcus aureus (6% and 1%), Enterobacter cloacae (4% and 4%), E. coli (4%, 1%), Shigella spp. (4%, 0%), Acinetobacter baumannii (3% and 1%), Salmonella enteritidis (2% and 0%), Serratia spp. (1% and 6%), Proteus spp. (1% and 3%), and Enterobacter sakazakii (1% and 0%). We conclude that eggs might be contaminated with several bacteria and can constitute a public health threat in Morocco.

Approaches to increase recovery of bacterial and fungal abortion agents in domestic ruminants

The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research (OJVR), is the official publication of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. It publishes scientific papers reporting original research on diseases and disease vectors of livestock and wildlife with a focus on Africa, but with results of more than local interest.

2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most important infectious diseases and causes of death in cats; young cats less than 2 years of age are especially vulnerable. FIP is caused by a feline coronavirus (FCoV). It has been estimated that around 0.3% to 1.4% of feline deaths at veterinary institutions are caused by FIP. This document has been developed by a Task Force of experts in feline clinical medicine as the 2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines to provide veterinarians with essential information to aid their ability to recognize cats presenting with FIP. Nearly every small animal veterinary practitioner will see cases. FIP can be challenging to diagnose owing to the lack of pathognomonic clinical signs or laboratory changes, especially when no effusion is present. A good understanding of each diagnostic test's sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratio and diagnostic accuracy is important when building a case for FIP. Before proceeding with any diagnostic test or commercial laboratory profile, the clinician should be able to answer the questions of 'why this test?' and 'what do the results mean?' Ultimately, the approach to diagnosing FIP must be tailored to the specific presentation of the individual cat. Given that the disease is fatal when untreated, the ability to obtain a correct diagnosis is critical. The clinician must consider the individual patient's history, signalment and comprehensive physical examination findings when selecting diagnostic tests and sample types in order to build the index of suspicion 'brick by brick'. Research has demonstrated efficacy of new antivirals in FIP treatment, but these products are not legally available in many countries at this time. The Task Force encourages veterinarians to review the literature and stay informed on clinical trials and new drug approvals.

Tick control management practices of dairy farmers in Kangra district ofHimachal Pradesh, India

Tick infestation is a major problem affecting farm animal welfare and productivity. The study was conducted to assess the nature of tick infestation, awareness and methods of tick control among eight purposively selected village panchayats of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Further out of these 8 panchayats, 200 dairy farmers were randomly selected during 2018-2019.The study indicated that tick infestation is acute in hilly regions of Himachal, India and farmers rely mainly on animal husbandry institutions for seeking scientific inputs/information. Synthetic acaricides were widely in practice (100.0%), though 40 percent of farmers relied on both synthetic and indigenous herbal medications. The high use of acaricides was due to the presence of veterinary institutions in every village panchayat in the region. The majority of dairy farmers (79.5%) reported that these synthetic acaricides were effective up to 30 days only and recurrent infestation on animals was noticed. Suitable extension interventions for improved housing management and proper tick disposal must be applied to overcome the problem in the region.

Effect of Compost and Synthetic Fertilizer on Soil Fertility, Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Broccoli Crop in Arid Region of Morocco

Background: Soils in arid regions like Morocco are becoming increasingly degraded and polluted because of the high use of synthetic chemical fertilizers linked to population growth. Organic fertilizers such as compost remain a good alternative to improve soil quality and crop yields. Broccoli is a crop that is beginning to develop in Morocco. It is very nitrogen demanding crop; therefore, it is necessary to know nitrogen use efficiency in broccoli. Methods: In this field experimental conducted during 2015 at the horticultural complex of Agadir - Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, different treatments were tested on broccoli as follows:TC8t/ha: compost, 8 t/ha (equivalent 200 kgN /ha), TC12t/ha: compost, 12 t/ha (equivalent 300 kg N /ha), TSYN: Synthetic chemical fertilizer (200kg N/ha), TC+SYN: 50% compost, 4t/ha+50% Synthetic fertilizer (equivalent 200 kg N/ha) and T0: control, in order to optimize nitrogen use efficiency of compost and synthetic fertilizer. Result: Our research showed that the combination of compost and synthetic fertilizer: TC+SYN improved the growth and yield parameters of broccoli; the best main head yield of broccoli was 13.5 t/ha for TC+SYN. Compost improved the chemical properties of soil. Total N content was 266 kg/ha for TC+SYN, 253 kg/ha for TSYN, 244 kg/ha for TC8 t/ha and 234 kg/ha forTC12 t/ha. For Nitrogen use efficiency, apparent recovery efficiency (ARE) was higher with TSYN: 0.91 followed by TC+SYN: 0.88 followed by TC8t/ha with 0.77and T C12 t/ha: 0.48.

Seasonality and geography of diabetes mellitus in United States of America dogs.

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in humans is associated with high altitude, few sunshine hours, cold climate, and winter. The goals of this study were to investigate seasonal and geographic patterns of DM diagnosis in United States of America (USA) dogs with juvenile and mature onset DM. Data were collected by means of an online survey widely distributed in the USA through breed clubs, academic veterinary institutions, private veterinary referral practices, social media outlets, and the American Kennel Club. Juvenile DM (JDM) and mature onset DM were defined as DM with an age of onset <365 days and DM with an age of onset ≥365 days, respectively. Meteorological seasons were defined as: winter from December through February, spring from March through May, summer from June through August, and fall from September through November. Four geographic regions were also defined as the West, North, South, and Central regions of the USA. Nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals (CI) for season, geographic region, and breed specific proportions of dogs with JDM were considered statistically significantly different. The study included 933 dogs with mature onset DM and 27 dogs with JDM. Dogs were diagnosed with DM significantly more in the winter and northern USA compared to all other seasons and all other geographic regions, respectively. The prevalence of JDM among dogs with DM was 2.8%. The proportion of dogs with JDM among pure breeds was not significantly different than the proportion of JDM in mixed breed dogs. It is concluded that winter and cold climate could be shared environmental factors influencing DM expression in dogs and humans. Additionally, pure breed dogs do not appear to be at increased risk for JDM compared to mixed breed dogs, indicating that factors other than genetics could influence spontaneous JDM development in dogs.

Epidemiological situation of Avian Influenza in Ukraine during 2020–2021

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are spread globally by wild migratory birds that are reservoirs of AIVs. Epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can devastate the poultry industry and result in severe trade restrictions. Many routes of wild migratory birds pass through the territory of Ukraine, therefore studying the circulation of the viruses is important for the prevention of AIV spreading. The aim of the investigation was to summarize and analyze results of AI tests carried out by state laboratories during 2020–2021. The tests were conducted in the framework of state control of AI aimed to early detection and prevention of HPAI virus spreading on the territory of Ukraine. 27 354 samples of biological material from wild and domestic birds (11 115 samples – in 2020 and 16 239 – in 2021) were tested by PCR in State Scientific and Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise and regional state laboratories. For PCR testing commercial kits and reagents were used: IndiSpin Pathogen Kit (INDICAL BIOSCIENCE), VetMAX™-Gold AIV Detection Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific), AIV H5-H7 REAL TIME (ADIAVET), AgPath-ID™ One-Step RT-PCR Reagents (Ambion) with N8 RT-PCR primers and probe. In 2020, 84 positive samples on AI type A subtype H5N8 from poultry of Vinnytsia, Kherson, Kyiv and Mykolaiv oblasts was detected. In 2021, the presence of AIV RNA subtype H5N8 and H5N1 was detected in 87 samples (72 samples from poultry, 11 from wild birds and 4 from zoo birds) of Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Donetsk, Ternopil and Kherson oblasts. In 2020, 9 outbreaks of AI were registered in Vinnytsia (1), Mykolaiv(5), Kyiv (2) and Kherson (1) oblasts; in 2021, 11 outbreaks were registered in Mykolaiv (4), Kyiv (2), Donetsk (2), Ternopil (1) and Kherson (2) oblasts. In general, during 2020–2021, 20 outbreaks of AI subtype H5 (3 – commercial poultry farms, 13 – from backyards, 3 – in wild birds and 1 – in zoo birds) were registered in 6 oblasts of Ukraine. RNA of AIV in the samples from imported birds was not detected. Wild migratory birds are the most likely source of AIV in Ukraine since most outbreaks were registered in oblasts located at the crossing of wild bird migratory routes.

Influence of mastitis on reproductive parameters in holstein-freisian cows

As mastitis is one of the most significant causes of health problems in dairy cows and, besides economic, also has other negative effects, the aim of this paper is to study the influence of mastitis on reproductive parameters in cows that have an evident and clinically obvious mastitis. In this study we observed the duration of the “service period“ and the number of inseminations (frequency of abortions) as reproductive parameters, up to the time of the next conception of lactating cows. Our research was carried out on a farm with Holstein-Friesian cows in duration of 15 months with breaks. First, 30 heads of cattle of various age were selected, the number of their lactations from 3 to 6. We took samples from the whole amount of milk twice a month in order to find out the number of somatic cells on the farm. The California Mastitis Test was carried out in all selected cattle. From all of the quarters of selected cows which showed a positive reaction with CMT, we took samples of udder (milk) secretion and sent them to the laboratory in the “Dr. Vaso Butozan” Veterinary Institute to estimate the number of somatic cells. Highly sophisticated equipment Fossomatic FC was used to identify the found microflora for these purposes. In all of the 30 cows a secretion disorder was found in one quarter: in 3 cows – in the front left quarter; in 5 cows - in the front right one; in 12 cows - in the back left one and in 10 cows - in the back right udder quarter. After the appropriate therapy was administered, we took the samples of udder secretion again in order to estimate the number of somatic cells. By this study it was estimated that the calving to conception interval in cows with clinical mastitis was ±76 days and the insemination index 2.6. The calving to conception interval referring to the farm in whole was ±53.2 days and the insemination index 1.96. Clinical mastitis followed by the increase in the number of SC prolongs the calving to conception interval to the significant extent, i.e., increases the insemination index.

Disparities in Agricultural Development among the Districts- Findings from North East India

The present study evaluated the disparities in agricultural development within the NE region of India by computing the composite agricultural development index (CI) for 90 districts from all the 8 states of the region. The study revealed that there was a wide range of variability in the composite index of agricultural development among the districts. States like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were found to have high average CI but the variability within the state was found to be higher than other states. Assam, Manipur and Sikkim were ranked lower in agricultural development but were found to be more symmetrically developed than the rest of the states. To bring uniform development in agricultural sector, the extent of improvements required in different indicators for the poor performing districts were estimated by identifying the model districts. Potential targets were estimated from the model districts. The results from all the states showed that the actual achievements were lower than the potential targets for almost all the development indicators in the low developed districts. A general recommendation for all the districts would be an improvement in the crops and livestock production. Adequate number of veterinary institutions should be set up to provide required services for livestock population. Improvement in the crop sector should be focused on increasing irrigation and more efficient use of area by double cropping. Fertilizers gives the needed plant nutrients when used in recommended doses. However, efforts should be made to provide the needed plant nutrients by organic sources like FYM and to adopt practices which conserve soil nutrients.

SCIENTIFIC WAY OF M.P. KOSACH, ONE OF THE FIRST UKRAINIAN METEOROLOGISTS

Introduction. Setting objectives. The urgency of the work is due to the fact that in connection with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Lesya Ukrainka in Ukraine and around the world last year, increased attention was paid to studying the general contribution of the Kosach family to national science and social progress. A little-known page in the history of the Kosach family is the field of scientific activity of Lesya Ukrainka's older brother, Mykhailo Petrovich Kosach, who was a physicist, meteorologist, specialized in atmospheric optics and had significant achievements in this field. Purpose of the article. Therefore, the aim of the work was a detailed study of the life and scientific path of MP Kosach, his scientific achievements in the field of meteorology and atmospheric physics, his contribution to the formation of meteorological science in Ukraine.&#x0D; Results of the research: 1) Contribution of MP Kosach in the development of meteorological science in Ukraine can be divided into three main components: a) teaching activities in the field: work at the departments of Dorpat (Tartu), Kharkiv University, teaching at St. George's Women's Gymnasium, Veterinary Institute, School of Technical Society (Kharkov). Teaching courses in physics, mathematics, general meteorology, electrostatics, electromagnetism, mechanical thermal theory; b) research, works, inventions: published about 20 works in the field of atmospheric optics, meteorology, atmospheric physics, translated into Russian fundamental European works on meteorology, developed prototypes of automated instruments for measuring wind, X-ray machine. Defense of master's and dissertation works on atmospheric optics; c) organization of a stationary meteorological network: MP Kosach organized the work of an exemplary meteorological station at the All-Russian Exhibition (1896), and later improved the work of the first university meteorological station in the Kharkiv region. The project of the meteorological network for Slobozhanshchyna developed by him was implemented after the scientist's death.&#x0D; 2) Research performed by MP Kosach addressed such areas in meteorology as atmospheric optics, atmospheric physics, atmospheric electricity, aerodynamics, actinometry, design and improvement of meteorological instruments (electric tomograph, continuous integrator of wind power and speed). The main scientific achievements of MP Kosach in the field of meteorological science is associated with the period of his work at Kharkiv University as a private associate professor of physics and meteorology (1901 - 1903).&#x0D; 3) According to the analysis of scientific heritage MP Kosach has developed an interactive map and a number (https://bit.ly/2Ttw9FI) of chronological tables that can be used in the educational process to promote information about the scientist.&#x0D; The scientific novelty of this study is a detailed analysis of the contribution of MP Kosach in the development of meteorology in Ukraine and the development of author's information materials (interactive map, tables), which will promote information about the outstanding Ukrainian scientist.&#x0D; Practical significance: thus, the scientific heritage of MP Kosach, as one of the first Ukrainian meteorologists, deserves further detailed study and popularization, because it was undeservedly forgotten in the past, and is still little known to the general public and even specialists in the field of geographical sciences. The interactive map and chronological tables developed by the authors will allow to carry out such popularization among all those interested in the study of scientific development of natural branches in Ukraine.&#x0D; Keywords: Kosach MP, history of meteorology, atmospheric optics, actinometry, stationary network of meteorological stations.