Port Blair, Oct 28: The Animal Science Division of ICAR-CIARI in collaboration with KVK, South Andaman organized a training programme on “Genetic up gradation of Andaman Local Goat for improving the productivity” recently. The training programme was conducted under All India Co-ordinate Research Project on Goat Improvement. Altogether, 25 farmers from Baratang and Chouldhari Panchayat participated in the programme, which was inaugurated by Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CIARI in the presence of Dr. A. Kundu, Head, Division of Animal Science, Dr. Jai Sunder, PI of the project, Dr. M.S.Kundu, Co-PI, Heads of the divisions, scientists and SMS from KVK.
In his address, Dr Roy appreciated the animal science division to bring the farmers from Baratang to undergo training programme and also to see different activities of the institute. He talked about the various technical interventions available with the institute and urged the scientists to transfer it to the farmers field for its benefit to the farmers. Being situated in the hot spot of the tourist destination, Baratang could be a major market centre for the goat, hence, he suggested the farmers to go for goat farming in a big and scientific manner to get more profit.
Dr. A. Kundu, Head, Division of Animal Science, spoke about the objectives of the project and mentioned about the other schmes and project for the benefit of the farmers. He highlighted the importance of the goat farming for sustainable livelihood security and for income generation. He urged the farmers to give more care in the management to exploit more profit out of goat rearing. Dr. Jai Sunder, PI of the project briefed about the origin of the project on goat improvement for the benefit of farmers to sustain the livelihood security through goat rearing. He gave detailed about the implementation of the project and mentioned that it is aimed to improve the goat productivity in these Islands through scientific interventions. He also urged all the farmers to utilize the opportunity for improving the productivity and taking goat farming in more scientific way. Dr. Nagesh Ram, Head, KVK informed about the activities and various training programmes being conducted throughout the year for the farmers. Dr. M.S. Kundu spoken about the feeding and management of goat under island condition. He emphasized on utilizing the intercropping spaces between the areacanut and coconut trees for growing suitable fodder. During the programme, the various aspects of goat rearing viz, feeds and feeding of goats, health management of goats and care and management of kids were detailed. The farmers also interacted with the resource persons on various field problems. During the valedictory function, mineral mixtures, fodder seeds, cutting were also distributed to the farmers.
