ICAR-NOFRI, Sikkim and ICAR-NDRI, W.B. Jointly Organized Training Programme on Dairy and Poultry Farming at Village Yangthang, East Sikkim
ICAR –National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong, Gangtok in collaboration with ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, ERS, Kalyani, Nadiya, W.B organized animal health camp, farmers interaction and training programme on management of dairy cattle for increased milk production and backyard poultry farming for production of chicken meat and eggs from Vanaraja chicken on October 4, 2018 at village Yangthang, East Sikkim. More than 60 dairy and poultry farmers at the village actively participated in the programme. Vanaraja chicks, poultry feed and mineral plus vitamin supplements were distributed to the farmers. A scientist-farmer’s interaction programme was also organised wherein many farmers actively raised their problems on dairy farming. repeat breeding, anoestrus and parasitic infestations were reported to be the major problems in livestock. The Scientists from the two renowned ICAR institutes responded and advised in response to the queries of the dairy farmers.
Coordinating programmes, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NOFRI welcomed team of Scientists from the two ICAR Institutes and the farmers of Yangthang area. He drew the attention of the dairy farmers to provide balanced feed and mineral supplements to their animals for augmenting milk production and preventing the animals from infertility. He reiterated that each adult cow should deliver a full term healthy calf with an interval of every 12-13 months. Otherwise the dairy farming would not be economic and sustainable. He highlighted the importance of livestock farming for the economic development of hill states in general and organic cultivation in particular. He opined that Vanaraja chicken is well adapted at backyards in the agro-climatic conditions of Sikkim and has high potential for rearing in organic farming and therefore, it is already popular amongst the farming community. He also detailed the farmers about the management of Vanaraja chicken for increased meat and egg production and to reduce early chick mortality.
From ICAR-NDRI, Dr. S. K. Das (Principal Scientist) educated the farmers about the importance of vaccinations against the prevailing diseases for preventing the livestock and poultry from various diseases. Dr. Das informed that the inputs like balanced feed and mineral plus vitamin supplements were arranged for the dairy farmers of Sikkim under the NDRI-NEH project component for dairy development. Dr. Ashok Santra (Principal Scientist) explained to the farmers about the importance of feeding quality feeds and fodders to the dairy animals. He told that each adult dairy cattle requires 2 kg concentrate feed for maintenance and 1 kg additional feed to be provided on production of each 2.5 litre of milk production. Dr. Champak Bhakat (Principal Scientist) impressed upon the farmers to deworm the animals periodically to maintain better health of the dairy animals to obtain better production in the form of milk and calves. Dr. Anupam Chatterjee (Principal Scientist) informed the farmers about the benefit of feeding balanced nutrient to the dairy animals. Dr. P. K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science), KVK, Ranipool explained the farmers about the importance scientific housing of livestock and poultry for obtaining ore profits in the hill state.
Later inputs like 1000 nos. of Vanaraja day old chicks, poultry feed and mineral plus vitamin supplements were distributed to the dairy and poultry farmers of Yangthang area. Dr. Priya Chettri and Dr. Padam Lal Luitel, SRF, ICAR-NOFRI rendered active support for running the programmes.
- Issued by ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
