Scientific poultry farming cum input distribution under scheduled tribes’ components organized by ICAR-KVK, CCARI, Goa

 

    A scientific poultry farming cum input distribution program was held in Old Goa on March 27, 2024, by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, as part of the scheduled Tribal Plan. The program's primary goal is to reduce poverty and unemployment significantly through development initiatives. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa. He highlighted the scope and importance of poultry farming, a rapidly growing sector within the livestock industry, and significantly provides protein supplements through eggs and meat. Dr Parveen Kumar distributed inputs such as feeders, drinkers, multivitamins, and medicines to ten scheduled tribal beneficiaries. Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-KVK, North Goa, emphasized the significance of vaccination and feed management, as farming communities allocate over 70% of their expenses to poultry feed by preparation of low-cost feed and scientific feed management could reduce feed cost. He also stresses the importance of poultry waste, which is abundant in nutrients and a valuable source of fertilizers. Dr. Udharwar Sanjaykumar Vithalrao, SMS (Animal Science), spoke on various improved breeds of backyard poultry birds developed by ICAR, scientific housing, and disease management of poultry birds. He also demonstrated methods of Azolla cultivation and brooding and created awareness about vaccination in birds.