The SAARC Regional capacity development on “Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Surveillance of PPR” was carried out at SAARC Regional Leading Diagnostic Laboratory for PPR, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 21^st to 26^th July, 2019. The cited training programme was jointly organized by SAARC Agriculture Centre, Dhaka and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar. Dr.Ashis Kumar Samanta, Senior Programme Specialist – Livestock was the programme coordinator and lead the SAARC delegation team to the host organization. Dr. Younus Ali, Senior Technical Officer looked after the on spot implementation of the above training.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a great threat for the small ruminants in South Asia. Needless to say, small ruminants are the means of livelihood of marginal and landless farmers living in South Asia. In view of the above perspectives, the training was organized with following objectives: (i) To develop the capacities of scientist/ professionals of national laboratories of the SAARC Member States in laboratory diagnosis of PPR and (ii) To harmonize the procedures and protocol for PPR diagnosis in the region.

The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Subol Bose Moni, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries  and Livestock, Government of Peoples Republic  Bangladesh as Honourable Chief Guest, Dr. S.M. Bokhtiar, Director, SAARC Agriculture Centre as Special Guest. Dr.Nathu Ram Sarker, Director General, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, chaired the inaugural session.

The particular training was attended by eight participants from four Member States namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The topics covered under the training include PPR eradication strategy, Regional roadmap for PPR control, ELISA: an essential tool for surveillance of PPR, cell culture for virus isolation and identification, RT-PCR: the technique for the detection of PPR, general guidelines for PPR sample collection, preservation and genomic analysis, detection of PPRV antibody in sera by competitive Elisa, etc covering both theory as well as hands on experience. sample collection, BLRI developed PPR control model; comprising primarily practical (hands on experience) along with theory aspects. A lecture was also arranged through skype on “National Animal Disease Referral Expert System (NADRES)” by Indian expert.

The valedictory function of the training programme was held on 26^th July, 2019 after undertaking field sampling of PPR in the early morning. Mr. KaziWasi Uddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock graced the occasion as Chief Guest; while Dr.Hiresh Ranjan Bhowmik,  Director General, Department Livestock Services, Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was present as Special Guest. Feedback was given by the participants particularly the usefulness of training on PPR. Dr.Nathu Ram Sarker, DG, BLRI emphasized for more number of regional training  programme as the disease challenges are multi fold  in South Asia.