Training Report Introduction The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) conducted a risk assessment study in the informal dairy and piggery value chain (VC) sector during November, 2022- April 2023 in selected districts of Assam out of 18 project districts where the World Bank aided Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) project under Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society is being implemented by Dairy Development Department (DDD) and Animal husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD). The main objective of the study was to understand the operations, contributions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of informal actors within the milk and pork VCs, with a specific focus on assessing associated risks to human health, particularly regarding food safety. The informal milk VC involves a diverse range of actors, including milk producers, milk retailers, sweet makers, and dairy consumers. Similarly, the informal pork value chain comprises pig producers, pig slaughterers, pork retailers, and pork consumers. These actors play crucial roles in various stages such as production, processing, distribution, and consumption of dairy and pork products. Operating often outside regulatory frameworks, informal actors present unique challenges in ensuring food product safety and quality. The study specifically aimed to analyse potential risks to human health posed at various VC actor levels from the standpoint of physical, chemical, residual and microbiological assessment of milk and pork. The ultimate goal is to develop targeted interventions and strategies to mitigate foodborne illnesses and safeguard public health. The Risk Communication Workshop A two-day workshop on risk communication workshop on human health risk originated from milk and pork & their products was organized by AHVD, Govt. of Assam and was delivered by ILRI, Nairobi, under the World Bank aided APART Project on 7th and 8th December, 2023 at Hotel Lily, Guwahati, Assam, India as a part of the initiative. The workshop aimed to communicate the findings of the risk assessment study, along with global approaches to risk assessment, communication, and management in the context of food safety to the participants. A total of 61 participants took part in the workshop. The resource persons included ILRI’s Dr. Delia Grace Randolph (Principal scientist), Dr. Florence Mutua (Scientist) and Dr. Ram Pratim Deka (Scientist). The trainees included all the District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) ,Dairy Development officers (DDOs) and other relevant officials and stakeholders from various districts of Assam. The inaugural session of the workshop The workshop commenced with the Inaugural Session, hosted by Dr. P. N. Konwar and the felicitation of chief guests, including Dr. Delia Grace Randolph and Dr. Florence Mutua from ILRI, Shri Javir Rahul Suresh (IAS), Director AVHD and DDD, Mr. Abhijit Baruah, Food Safety Commissioner, Govt. of Assam, and Mr. Anupam Gogoi, State Food Analyst. The inaugural session of the workshop was initiated by Dr. Deka, who introduced the audience to the subject of human health risk assessment. Dr. Deka urged attention towards topics such as fraudulent adulteration practices and the risk of antibiotic residue, pesticide residues, and aflatoxin in milk and pork. He also highlights the scarcity of evidence regarding quantitative and qualitative studies addressing these issues in Assam. Dr. Deka expressed gratitude to all for their support in ensuring the smooth conduct of the study in the APART districts of Assam. Following Dr. Deka's introduction, Mr. Javir Rahul Suresh (IAS), Director AVHD & DDD, delivered a welcome speech, acknowledging the commendable efforts of ILRI and APART teams. He highlighted the planned activities for the two-day workshop and encouraged active participation from all attendees, urging them to maximise the opportunity. Training Agenda Day One: December 7, 2023 10.31: 10.37: Welcome & objective by Dr. Ram Pratim Deka, Scientist, ILRI 10.38-10.44: Inaugural remarks by Shri Javir Rahul Suresh, IAS, Director AHVD & DDD, Govt. of Assam (GoA) 10.45-10.51: Inaugural remarks by Dr. Delia Grace Randolph, Principal Scientist, ILRI 10:52- 11:00 Inaugural remarks by Mr. Abhijit Baruah, Food Safety Commissioner, GoA 11.25-11.45: Food safety activities being undertaken by the Food Safety Commissionerate/ FSSAI in Assam by Mr. Anupam Gogoi, State Food Analyst, GoA 11.46-13.00: Global approach of risk assessment, risk communication & risk management in informal value chain by Dr. Delia Grace Randolph 14.01-15.15: Components of National Food Control Systems- in light of guidance from FAO, WHO etc. by Dr. Florence Mutua, Scientist, ILRI 15:31- 16:45: Discuss examples of approaches, tools and techniques used by other countries for addressing food safety risk and risk communication- global learning: Dr. Delia Grace Randolph 16.45-17.00: Conclusion of Day’s work Day Two: December 8, 2023 10.30-11.15: Potential food safety risk in informal milk and pork value chain in Assam, evidence from past research by Dr. Ram Pratim Deka & Dr. Chandrani Goswami, Consultant, ILRI 11:31- 12.30: Risk ranking based on tools used by Center for Disease Control (CDC), USA by Dr. Delia Grace Randolph 12:31- 13.00: Identify priority risk in Assam’s context based on risk ranking tools (Group work) facilitated by Dr. Delia Grace Randolph 14:01- 15:00: Collaborative implementation plan in Assam for risk assessment, communication & management (Group discussion facilitated by Dr. Ram Pratim Deka) 15:16- 16:15: Work out a plan for risk communication under APART with do’s and don’ts (share draft extension products for comments/suggestions), Group discussion facilitated by Dr. Ram Pratim Deka 16:16- 16:30: Closure and end of the workshop by Mr. Bekzod Shaimseve, Task Team Leader, World Bank Key lectures and discussions 1. Food safety activities being undertaken by the Food Safety Commissionerate/ FSSAI in Assam Mr. Gogoi stressed the importance of focusing on preventive food safety with a farm-to-fork approach. He also highlighted the challenges associated with integrating informal actors into the licensing and registration system of the FSSAI. Mr. Gogoi shared the ongoing efforts in this regard and acquainted the participants with the online registration process for the same. 2. Global approach of risk assessment, risk communication & risk management in informal value chain Dr. Randolph presented ILRI's activities using a risk analysis framework for risk management. She discussed the latest developments in food safety research, global approaches to risk assessment, communication, and management. Dr. Randolph focused on qualitative risk assessment, risk ranking, and risk prioritization. 3. Components of National Food Control Systems- in light of guidance from FAO, WHO etc. Dr. Mutua emphasized the importance of strong national food control systems, as outlined by FAO and WHO, to ensure food safety and quality. She highlighted key components such as regulatory frameworks, inspection, monitoring, laboratory services, and stakeholder collaboration. Discussing hazards in the meat value chain, Dr. Mutua addressed contamination sources, including pesticide residues, microbial hazards, and pollutants. She stressed preventive measures, adherence to food safety standards, and the public health risks of banned pesticide use, advocating for alignment with international standards like Codex Alimentarius. 4. Discuss examples of approaches, tools and techniques used by other countries for addressing food safety risk and risk communication- global learning. Dr. Randolph conducted a technical session on Risk Communication, drawing examples from Vietnam to illustrate how the media addresses disease outbreaks and effective strategies for handling such situations on a public platform. She shared her experience of a collaborative article with a credible source, National Geographic, emphasising the positive impact it had on portraying an experiment related to trypanosomiasis-immune GMO cows in the media. The presentation concluded with the notion that risk communication messages should adhere to the 7 principles of Risk Communication STARCC (Simple, Timely, Accurate, Relevant, Credible, Consistent) and shall follow the KISS (Keep It Simple and Straight) principle. This session on risk communication was complemented by another presentation from Ms. Himadri Pal, PhD Researcher at the University of Greenwich, focusing on the development of effective and targeted communications. Ms. Pal highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between images and text, as well as readability in risk communication infographics. 5. Potential food safety risk in informal milk and pork value chain in Assam, evidence from past research. Dr. Deka presenting insights from a study conducted by ILRI on human health risks associated with milk and pork, as part of the APART initiative. Dr. Deka outlined the study's primary objectives, which included evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of the informal dairy and piggery along with the physical, chemical, residual and microbiological assessment of milk and pork quality. The study revealed that less than 10% of VC actors possessed knowledge about potential health hazards linked to milk or pork. There was also scarcity of awareness regarding the risks associated with antibiotic or pesticide residue and aflatoxin in both dairy and pork. This was followed by sharing laboratory analysis results of milk and pork samples collected from various VC actors of the informal dairy and piggery sector by Dr. Chandrani Goswami. The findings shows a concerning qualitative presence of antibiotics, pesticides, aflatoxins, and presence of pathogens of concerns (including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp., and Listeria sp.) in the dairy and piggery VC. The session concluded with comprehensive recommendations for enhancing multiple facets of the VC, encompassing suggestions for improving awareness and training. 6. Risk ranking based on tools used by Center for Disease Control (CDC), USA Dr. Randolph provided valuable insights into risk ranking methods, explaining how tools developed by the CDC, USA, can be effectively utilized for prioritizing public health risks. She also presented data from various regions in India, showcasing the application of these methods in real-world scenarios. 7. Identify priority risk in Assam’s context based on risk ranking tools (Group work) To enhance understanding, Dr. Randolph initiated a hands-on session dividing participants into groups and tasked with identifying hazards in commonly consumed foods such as milk, pork, and fish. Each group were tasked with identifying hazards in common food like milk, pork, fish etc, categorising their presence as low, medium, or high. Following this, each group presented their findings, with an open discussion. 8. Collaborative implementation plan in Assam for risk assessment, communication & management (Group discussion) Dr. Deka emphasized the importance of a strategic and collaborative approach for implementing risk assessment, communication, and management in Assam. He highlighted the limitations of qualitative data in accurately estimating health risks and stressed the need for caution in disseminating the study findings prematurely. It was suggested to refrain from public disclosure at this stage as this could risk undermining consumer confidence in milk, pork, and their products, potentially leading to reduced consumption and negative impacts on the dairy and piggery sectors' production, trade, and economics. Dr. Deka proposed conducting a comprehensive quantitative risk analysis study to complement the findings and provide appropriate data. Additionally, it was recommended to implement targeted corrective actions to address identified risks before sharing information with the public. Collaboration among stakeholders was emphasized as key to effective risk management and communication. 9. Work out a plan for risk communication under APART with do’s and don’ts (Group discussion) Dr. Deka presented the draft risk communication materials developed under APART, addressing key issues such as adulteration, aflatoxin, antibiotic residues, pesticide residues, and microbial risks in milk, pork, and their products. These materials highlighted essential do’s and don’ts to mitigate such risks effectively. The participants actively engaged in reviewing the drafts, providing valuable comments and suggestions to enhance their effectiveness and applicability. 10. Closure and end of the workshop by Mr. Bekzod Shaimseve, Task Team Leader, World Bank Mr. Shamsiev spoke about the imperative need for a concentrated effort on improving the livestock sector. He placed particular emphasis on addressing the impact of African swine fever (ASF) on the piggery sector in Assam. Engaging with the participants, Mr. Shamsiev focused on a discussion of the ongoing activities and challenges, contributing valuable insights to the proceedings. Conclusion and Way Forward There was a rigorous discussion involving all DVOs, DDOs, and other participants. Participants openly addressed challenges related to dairy and pork production and retail, including fraudulent practices. Numerous suggestions were put forward for the department's consideration, aimed at benefiting the dairy and piggery sectors. The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Deka and Dr. Konwar, expressing gratitude to all participants for their commitment and travel from various districts. Special thanks were extended to the ILRI guest speakers for their presence and guidance. Workshop Outcomes Throughout the workshop, participants gained insights into global approaches to risk assessment, communication, and management in the context of food safety. They also learned about the significant influence of various VC actors on the safety of final products in both dairy and piggery sectors. Understanding the steps needed at each VC level to minimize the spread of diseases and safeguard consumer health was a key takeaway. The collaborative efforts fostered during the training are expected to result in more robust strategies for managing human health risks associated with milk, pork, and their products. List of participants Sl. No. Name Designation 1 Shri Javir Rahul Suresh Director, AHVD & DDD, Govt. of Assam 2 Shri Abhijit Baruah Food Safety Commissioner, Govt. of Assam 3 Shri Anupam Gogoi State Food Analyst, Assam 4 Dr. Bhrigu Bhaskar Nath i/c DVO, Baksa 5 Dr. Sahidul Islam DVO, South Salmara 6 Dr. S. D Choudhury DVO, Golaghat Sl. No. Name Designation 7 Dr. Kuladhar Saikia DVO, Lakhimpur 8 Dr. Prabin Kumar Das DVO, Barpeta 9 Dr. Amrit Tamuly DVO, Sivasagar 10 Dr. Hirendra Nath Deka DVO, Kamrup 11 Dr. Fauq Akhtar DVO, Bongaigaon 12 Dr. Jogendra Nath Sahariah DVO, Darrang 13 Dr. Ripunjoy Chakraborty DVO, Jorhat 14 Dr. Durga Katel SDVO, Biswanath 15 Dr. Gagan Ch. Das SDVO, Dhubri 16 Dr. Rupam Ch. Baro SDVO, Tamulpur 17 Dr. Shamim A Rahman SDVO Hojai 18 Dr. Ram Narayan Boruah SDVO, Nagaon 19 Dr. Prasanta Kr. Roy SDVO, Sonitpur 20 Dr. T.C Basumatary SDVO, Kokrajhar 21 Dr Lakshyajyoti Saikia VO, SVO, Chirang 22 Dr. Aswini Kr. Kalita VO, Nalbari 23 Dr. Sujay Chakraborty VO, State Veterinary Hospital, Khanapara 24 Dr. Raj Kishore Gogoi VO, SVD, Theligaon, Cachar 25 Dr. Fulmoni Kalita VO, SVD, Bordubi, Tinsukia 26 Dr. Mrinmoy Jyoti Sensua VO, Kamalabari, Majuli 27 Dr. Kangkan Kalita VO, Jonai 28 Dr. Kushal Rabha VO, Goalpara 29 Dr. Pritam Hazarika Farm Manager, Udalguri 30 Dr. Rupjyoti Deka BVO, Hojai 31 Dr. Chandrika Hazarika BVO, Laharighat, Morigaon 32 Dr. Bindiya Mahanta BVO, Desangpani, Charadeo 33 Dr. A.B Siddiqui BVO, Hailakandi 34 Purjendra Nath Barman Dy. Director, Dairy Dept, Nalbari 35 Dr. Chitrajyoti Chetia APDO, Dibrugarh 36 Manjit Duarah ADDO, North Lakhimpur 37 L. P. Bora DDO, Nagaon 38 Hillol Gogoi Plant Manager, TMSS, Jorhat 39 P.P Boroona DC, APART, Dairy, Kamrup 40 Padmaj Deka CPS,TMSS, Tezpur 41 Imtiaz K Talukdar CPS, Nagaon 42 Dr. Deepak Sarma Nodal Officer, Sonitpur 43 Dr. P. N Konwar NO, OPIU, ALPCo 44 Bhagyashree Deka OME, ALPCo 45 Nutu Khaklary OME, ALPCo 46 Margina Rahman MIS, ALPCo 47 Dr. Dibakar Baruah VO, ALPCo 48 Dr. Hiramoni Dev DVCE, APART, DDD Sl. No. Name Designation 49 Dr. Nawab Yunush PVC Expert, APART, ALPCo 50 Dr. Ratual Kalita PVCE- APART, AHVD 51 Dr. Mukut Das Coordinator, APART, AHVD 52 Dr. Bidyut Jyoti Das DLC, APART, ARIAS Society 53 Ajit Sharma NO-APART-DDD 54 Hriday Nath ADC, APART, Goalpara 55 Ila Gogoi PME, AHVD 56 Himadri Pal PhD Researcher, University of Greenwich 57 Dr. Chandrani Goswami Consultant, ILRI 58 Dr. Nikita Chanu Consultant, ILRI LIST OF RESOURCE PERSON- ILRI 59 Dr. Ram Pratim Deka Scientist 60 Dr. Delia Grace Randolph Principal Scientist 61 Dr. Florence Mutua Scientist Few photographs of the event Part of the inaugural session of the training workshop Participants at the training workshop Part of the second day session of the training workshop Group photograph of participants and resource persons at the training workshop ***********************************************