Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana celebrated Animal Parasite Awareness Week from 23 to 27 August 2021 with great fervour and zeal. Under this event, the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and 
Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education jointly organized an Awareness Training Camp at village Ichhewal, district Patiala on 27 August, 2021. The camp was dedicated to 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - 75 years of India’s independence'. The main emphasis of the camp was to create awareness among the farmers regarding the importance of standard management practices in livestock farming with the ultimate aim to uplift the economic returns from the sector. Dr Harkirat Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology elaborated on the economic effects and control measures of internal and external parasites of domestic animals. He emphasised on the fact that adult animals should be treated with a suitable anti-parasitic drug during mid-gestation period that will have a significant check on the transfer of parasites from dam to its calf during lactation. The need to deworm the calves to prevent the mortality from toxocariosis was also stressed upon and farmers were also advised about the importance of shed treatment to minimize the risk of tick infestations.
Dr Lachhman Das Singla, Professor-cum-Head, Department of Veterinary Parasitology talked at length on importance, clinical 
signs, and associated risk factors of tick-borne diseases prevalent in the region. He elaborated on the importance of timely treatment of diseased animals especially during monsoon season. Employment of various control measures including the importance of ethno-veterinary treatment strategies for the effective control of fly and mosquito menace in the dairy sector were discussed with the farmers. Dr. Singla further discussed the importance of integrated pest management strategies to control the infestation of flies. The speakers gave take home messages to the famers regarding importance of record keeping, careful supervision on the common clinical signs in parasitic infections and timely treatment of infected animals after laboratory testing of the samples from suspected animals.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Professor-cum-Head, Department of Veterinary Animal Husbandry Extension Education shared his field experiences regarding control of various diseases in dairy cattle. The farmers were advised to use homemade cattle feed and in detail discussion was done on the type of feed to be given to dairy animals at various stages of production so that maximum benefits can be attained. They were also advised on the importance of feeding mineral mixture to animals and encouraged to follow other dairy practices advocated by the vet varsity from time to time. The reproductive failure issues faced by the farmers of the area were also discussed and on the spot remedial measures were suggested to the various problems faced by the farmers in dairy farming during the discussion session. The farmers were further made aware of various knowledge disseminating channels adopted by the university in form of printed books, bulletins, monthly magazine, mobile apps, advisory helpline (0161-2424026), talks, YouTube channel (GADVASU farmer friendly e-extension), webinars etc.
The farmers were also encouraged to participate in the various training programmes organized by GADVASU from time to time at its campus. The interested farmers who want to update their knowledge were advised to download the application forms from the university website www.gadvasu.in and submit the same in the Farmer Information Centre of the University for enrolment.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, vice - chancellor congratulated the Parasitology Department faculty and the Directorate of Extension education for successful conduct of the events during the awareness week.
