ICAR-NOFRI Organized Capacity Building Programme for Women on Vanaraja Chicken Farming
The ICAR–National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), the erstwhile ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok distributes Vanaraja day old chicks to the farmers of Sikkim under poultry seed project funded by ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad. The chicks are being distributed to the tribal farmers free of cost at the rate of 25 chicks to each family. During the current year more than 90, 000 numbers of Vanaraja day old chicks have been distributed to the farmers of Sikkim. During the visits to the rural farms it has been observed that early chick’s mortality, poor feeding and housing management cause great loss to the farmers economy. To ameliorate this problem, a three-day training program on “Capacity building programme for tribal women on Backyard Poultry Farming with Vanaraja Chicken in Rural Sikkim under Poultry Seed Project” was organised at ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong during March 20-22, 2018. Dr. H. K. Chettri, Ex-Principal Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services (AHLF&VS), Government of Sikkim attended the valedictory function as Chief Guest.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NOFRI and coordinator of the training program briefed about the aim of organizing the program. 22 female participants from different villages of Sikkim comprising of 11 participants from East, 6 from West and 5 from South district participated in the program. The aim of the training was to train the trainers who can educate and train the other farmers particularly women farmers. All the participants were very interactive during all the theory and practical sessions given on various aspects of Vanaraja poultry farming. The training programme covered 11 lectures and two hands on training on housing, feeding, lighting, preventive and therapeutic management of Vanaraja birds both at intensive and backyard rearing systems including organic vegetable and crop production in integration with poultry farming.
Dr. Ravikant Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR- NOFRI addressed the participants and encouraged them to undertake Vanaraja chicken farming as an enterprise for self employment as well as enriching the nutrition of their family by providing good quality eggs and chicken meat. He highlighted the higher production potential of Vanaraja compared to the native chicken in terms of eggs and meat production. He invited the participants to utilize the know-how gained during the three-day training program for increasing production through Vanaraja poultry farming in their respective areas. He highlighted the role of poultry manure in enriching soil with more micronutrient and other essential organic matter for increased production of crops and vegetables. Dr. Avasthe further reiterated that backyard poultry farming is very close to organic farming where most of the guidelines are followed.
Dr. H. K. Chettri, Ex-Principal Director, AHLF&VS Department, Government of Sikkim appreciated the efforts of the team of Scientist, ICAR-NOFRI in popularising the Vanaraja Chicken for the cause of strengthening farmers’ economy. He congratulated the participants for getting opportunity to be a part of the training program. He expressed happiness for organizing the training programme for women empowerment through capacity building on Vanaraja chicken farming and hoped that the technology dissemination programme will enormously help the farmers for effective and economic backyard poultry farming. He further encouraged and reiterated the participants for utilizing the benefits of the training program and helps others by sharing the knowledge on Vanaraja chicken farming to others in their respective villages.
Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Principal Scientist (Animal Reproduction) and In charge, Poultry Seed Project explained in detail and practically demonstrated to the trainees about floor preparation in deep litter housing system, feeding and therapeutic management of Vanaraja chicks at various age groups. He highlighted the importance of restricted feeding schedule of Vanaraja layers for optimising egg production and also demonstrated vaccination of chicks and adult birds including administration techniques of various oral medicines to Vanaraja chicks and adult birds in feed and water. Dr. Islam practically demonstrated the techniques for maintenance of hygienic and bio-security measures in the farm premises for protecting the birds from various diseases. The participants have been encouraged and capacitated with the citation of success stories of many poultry farmers performing with Vanaraja chicken farming in the state.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) deliberated upon the scope of the integrated vegetable and fruit production in conjunction with backyard poultry farming. He also demonstrated the technologies to the farmers for year round organic vegetable production under low cost plastic tunnel by protecting the plants from adverse climatic conditions as well as from insect, pests and diseases.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) talked about the techniques of organic crop production to support the Vanaraja backyard poultry farming through supply of organic feed ingredients. He also demonstrated the technologies about the organic conservation agriculture practices for major field crop production in Sikkim including zero till technologies.
Sh. Shaon Kumar Das, Scientist (Soil Science) discussed about organic nutrient management for a fertile and healthy soil. He also talked about the production of bio char from weeds and waste plants.
Dr. P. K. Pathak SMS (Animal Science), KVK, Ranipool explained the participants about the feeding management of birds for better growth and production with locally available feed ingredients and management techniques of the birds in backyard condition.
Mrs. Pallabi Phukan SMS (Agricultural Extension), KVK, Ranipool talked about the procedure for formation of self help groups (SHGs) for availing various government schemes and role of SHGs for strengthening rural economy through Vanaraja poultry farming.
At the end, inputs like 50 nos. of Vanaraja day old chicks, water trough, electrolytes, essential vitamin supplement along with handouts about the rearing practices and a book written by Dr. H. K. Chettri entitled, “Kukhura Palan” was distributed to each participant. Dr. Priya Chettri, Dr. Padam Lal Luitel, Mr. K. B. Basnett, and Mr. S. M. Kandwal, rendered their active help and cooperation for the smooth running of the program.
-Issued by ICAR-NOFRI
