Under the National Skill Development Program, a seven-day residential training program on “Commercial Sheep, Goat, and Rabbit Farming” was conducted by the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, in collaboration with the Agri Business Incubation Center and CEAD Foundation, Udaipur. The program took place from June 6 to June 13, 2023. Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director of CEAD Foundation, and Mr. Mukesh Suthar, along with Mr. IB Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer, and Dr. R.D. Bhatt, Head of the Livestock Nutrition Department, were present during the program.
Both batches of the training program involved a total of 66 trainees from various districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. Mukesh Suthar, Director of CEAD Foundation, mentioned that after affiliating with ASRB, a five-day training program took place in Udaipur, including lectures by experts in agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as practical training in animal health management at the regional livestock hospital in Udaipur.
The final two days of the program were organized at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute in Avikanagar through the Agri Business Incubation Center. During the program, feedback was collected from the 66 trainees, who all gained valuable knowledge on livestock farming, animal health, and best practices. They also requested advanced breeds and technical support for their farms.
Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director of the institute, highlighted the importance of animal health management in animal husbandry. He emphasized that raising healthy animals is crucial for improving production and that participants should integrate advanced techniques and genetics on their farms. He also encouraged them to become ambassadors of the institute’s technology and reach out to other farmers.
Dr. Tomar suggested that the National Livestock Mission’s subsidies could support farmers in starting small-scale animal farming businesses. He also emphasized the need for cooperatives to establish a market for livestock products and ensure a successful distribution network, ultimately leading to higher profits for farmers.
Dr. R.D. Bhatt, Head of the Livestock Nutrition Department, highlighted that proper animal nutrition management can lead to significant weight gain in livestock. He explained that small livestock, like goats and rabbits, can play a crucial role in rural livelihoods and contribute to the country’s meat production.
Dr. Bhatt expressed hope that farmers’ interest in the institute’s self-financed training programs would continue to grow, and he believed that livestock farming, including sheep, goats, and rabbits, could help increase meat production in the country.
The training program concluded with the distribution of certificates, and Dr. Amar Singh Meena, a senior scientist and PRO of Avikanagar Institute, provided information about the program’s conclusion.
