Port Blair, Oct 12: ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CIARI, North & Middle Andaman organised a three days training programme on “Dairy Farming as an alternate Livelihood option” for rural youth at Karmatang from 07.10.20 to 09.10.20. The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Saw Nynun, PRI-Member, Karmatang; KVK staff and others. In the inaugural session, Dr. Shardul vikram lal SMS (Animal Sc.) Course Coordinator of the programme welcomed the guests and participants and briefly outlined the three days training schedule. He explained that due to COVID-19 pandemic enforced restriction in movement, lot of rural youth associated with tourism industry have lost their jobs. Under this situation, the dairy farming can help these rural youth to get gainful employment. He advocated dairy farming on scientific lines for higher returns. On the occasion, Mr. Saw Nynun appreciated the work of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CIARI and motivated the rural youth to adopt scientific dairy farming practices for self-employment. Er. Manoj Kumar highlighted the importance and benefit of milk with regard to health and nutrition. In the three days training programme, the KVK experts delivered lectures on different aspect of dairy farming such as selection of dairy cattle, housing management, clean milk production, balancing of dairy ration, improved feeding practices involving local feed resources, routine farm operations, record keeping and economics of small holder dairy farm. A film show on modern dairy farming was also arranged for the participants. In the sideline, an awareness program on Kisan Bill-2020 was also conducted, wherein Mr. D. Basantia, SMS (Horticulture) explained the provisions of Kisan Bill-2020. In the concluding session, Dr. Pooja Kapoor, Incharge Head, KVK, North and Middle Andaman and Dr. Parag Deoria, SVO, AH & VS were present. On the occasion, Dr. Pooja Kapoor emphasised the need for value addition of milk and other livestock products for enhanced farm income. Dr. Parag Deoria discussed the problems of farmers and informed the participants about various schemes of Department of AH & VS. A total of twenty three participants were benefitted from this program. All precautionary measures were taken during the program to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The training was organised under the guidance of Dr. Augustine Jerard, Director, ICAR-CIARI.
