A "Skill Development Training on Scientific Backyard Poultry Farming for Rural Livelihood" was organized by ICAR-KVK, Nimbudera, in collaboration with the Division of Animal Science, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Viyaya Puram, as part of the 100-day Action Plan in the North and Middle Andaman districts from 24th to 28th September 2024. The training sessions were held at Nimbudera, Mayabunder, and Diglipur, with the aim of empowering rural farmers by equipping them with advanced poultry farming skills to enhance their livelihood opportunities.The program was inaugurated by Shri P. R. Singaram, Gram Pradhan of Subhashgram Gram Panchayat, Diglipur, who encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity. He highlighted the economic benefits of backyard poultry farming and assured his support for participants' future entrepreneurial endeavors. He also stressed the importance of integrating poultry farming with other agricultural practices to achieve sustainable benefits. Dr. T. Sujatha, Principal Scientist at ICAR CIARI, provided insights into scientific poultry farming, emphasizing low-cost shelters, general management, and the significance of balanced feed. She explained how to manage common poultry diseases, zoonosis prevention, vaccination, and biosecurity measures, while also sharing ethno-veterinary medicinal practices essential for the rural context.
Dr. Bhojne Nagnath, Senior Veterinary Officer from Diglipur, and Dr. Sunita Roy, Senior Veterinary Officer from Billiground, discussed various government schemes under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) aimed at promoting livestock development and supporting rural farmers through improved veterinary care and livestock integration. Dr. Sharath S. Yeligar, Scientist in Agricultural Economics at ICAR CIARI, educated farmers on the fundamentals of market economics and supply chain management, empowering them to maximize profits from their poultry ventures.Dr. V. Damodaran, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK Nimbudera, highlighted the immense potential of backyard poultry farming in the North and Middle Andaman regions. He urged farmers and farm women to adopt modern poultry practices, including improved breeds, advanced feeding systems, and efficient disease management, to ensure higher productivity. He also encouraged the use of poultry manure for vermicomposting, promoting organic agriculture and increased farm income.Shri Yatharth Sharma, SMS (Home Science), presented a session on post-harvest processing and value addition of poultry products, addressing the rising market demand for processed poultry items. He highlighted the nutritional benefits of consuming poultry products rich in essential nutrients, especially for pregnant and lactating women, which play a crucial role in children’s growth and preventing malnutrition during early development stages. Shri Subam Debroy, SMS (Aquaculture), provided a comprehensive overview of integrated poultry farming practices, explaining how poultry farming can be combined with fish culture and other agricultural activities to optimize resources and increase farm income.
The program witnessed enthusiastic participation from rural farmers, self-help groups, and women’s groups, who gained practical knowledge to improve their livelihoods through scientific poultry farming. The training marked another step toward sustainable agricultural development in the North and Middle Andaman region. Earlier, Shri Yatharth Sharma welcomed the gathering and provided an overview of the training program, which was organized under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram. About 77 farmers and farm women participated and benefited from the training.