Port Blair Oct 25: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair has launched the programme on Establishment of BIOTECH KISAN-HUB funded by DBT, Govt of India with the main aim for dissemination of Livestock and Poultry Production Technologies for Enhancing the Farmers Income of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. The objective of the programme is doubling the farmer’s income through implementation of two activities viz., mini incubator for supply of chicks and improvement of goatery. The Hub will act as a Nodal centre to act as the platform for scientist-farmer’s interaction of the A & N Islands as well as Lakshadweep Islands to address the issues of development of backyard poultry sector and goatery of the island farmers. Tinkering lab will be established to give a platform to the innovators farmers and other stakeholders to develop and transform the scientific aptitude into a technology mode. The lab will have the important basic scientific equipments and facilities wherein the farmers and stakeholders get chance to work and understand the science and technology. A communication cell will be established wherein the farmers can directly contact with the scientists for any field problems through telephone, mail and other electronic apps. Mini unit of incubator will be kept as a model for technology demonstration for the farmers and stakeholders at hub. The hub will be used as a training and demonstration center. The inauguration of the Biotech Kisan Hub was done on 21.10.2019 along with initiation of 5 days capacity building programme on Delivery of Vaccines in poultry from 21 to 25, October 2019 in association with ICAR-KVK, South Andaman. The programme was launched by Dr. B. Gangaiah, Director (Acting) in the presence of Dr. A. Kundu, HoD (Acting), Animal Science Division, Dr. L. B. Singh, I/c Head, KVK, South Andaman, Dr. Jai Sunder, Hub Facilitator, Dr. T. Sujatha, Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Dr. P.K. Singh, Dr. R. Kirubasankar, Dr. D. Bhatacharya, Dr. A.K. De and other Scientists of Animal Science Division and KVK. A total of 30 farmers including 27 women farmers participated in the programme. Dr. B. Gangaiah congratulated the Animal Science Division for implementation of the Biotech Kisan Hub and initiation of the capacity building programme for the farmers. He appreciated the activities of hub that are going to benefit the livestock and poultry farming community. He also stressed upon the importance of vaccination in livestock and poultry in securing the livelihood and nutrition of farming community. He suggested for impact analysis of technologies that are disseminated to the farmers. A direction was give to bring only practicing farmers to trainees of CIARI. Dr. A. Kundu, spoke about the importance of the Biotech Kisan Hub for the long term benefit of the farmers of A & N Islands as well as Lakshadweep group of islands. Dr. Jai Sunder, Hub Facilitator briefed about the activities and role of Biotech Kisan-Hub. Dr.L.B.Singh briefed about the role of KVK in dissemination of technologies of livestock and poultry. During the programme, Dr. S.K.Zamir Ahmed, Pr. Scientist & I/c SSS and Dr.P.K.Singh, I/c Head FCI&P Division briefed about the importance of the programme. During the technical session, video film on vaccination and bio-security measures were also shown to the trainees. During the 5 days long training and field days, demonstration on vaccination and biosecurity measures will be done at Wandoor, Mamyo and Lal Pahad villages. The programme was coordinated by Dr. A.K. De and vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. S.K. Ravi.
