Saturday, December 27, 2014

By Thomas O’Malley, Technical Writer
Measuring the Impact of Parasites on the Growth of the Swine Industry in Nepal

Innovation Lab researcher Dr. Upendra Shrestha presented at a Nepal Microbiology Conference and had his project abstract published in the conference abstract collection book.

Dr. Shrestha presenting his project data at the 5th National Conference on Microbiology. Photo credit: Upendra Shrestha

Dr. Upendra Shrestha, a scholar working on the Measuring the Impact of Parasites on the Growth of the Swine Industry in Nepal project for the Innovation Lab, was recently asked to present his work at the 5th National Conference on Microbiology. The abstract for his study was also featured in the abstract collection book for the conference.

The abstract for his paper titled “Comparative study of parasitic infection in pig population from different climatic ecozones of Nepal and its impact on productivity and human health” explains that pig production in Nepal is rapidly growing, although still not meeting its potential as the second major source of meat for Nepali people.

The audience at Siddhartha Cottage, Dhobighat, Lalitpur where the conference was held. Photo credit: Upendra Shrestha

A lack of knowledge about pig related diseases and poor sanitation have been identified as the major contributors to this problem. By studying the fecal samples of hundreds of pigs, the researchers identified that a huge percentage of health issues in the pigs came from intestinal parasites. Furthermore, the same parasites were infecting the farmers who raised the pigs, causing a whole different set of problems for farmers who receive both nutrition and income from their labor raising pigs.

Recognition for Dr. Shrestha’s work, and any researchers counteracting these complicated cultural, economic, and scientific situations is well deserved. Because of these kind of projects, hundreds of Nepali farmers will see an increase in the productivity of their pigs, and therefore their health and income.