Port Blair, Sept. 17: Animal Science Division and KVK, South Andaman of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, organized a three-day training on “Pig farming for Sustainable livelihood” at its Garacharma complex from 11th to 13th September 2018 sponsored by ICAR-NRC Pig, Guwahati under AICRP on Pig.
Twenty seven farmers including 20 females from different villages of South Andaman like New Wandoor, Hasmatabad, Choudhari, Lal Pahar, Delanipur and Nayagaon participated. They were given class room lectures and practical demonstrations in the pig farm to gain hands on experience about different aspects of scientific pig rearing viz. efficient use of inputs and minimization of losses. They were shown the standing fodder crops in different topography including cultivation in the shaded area where other crops could not be grown. They also visited the KVK, South Andaman and Dweep Krishi Darpan, the Exhibition Hall of ICAR- CIARI to get an idea about the overall activities going on in the Institute.
On 13th September, Dr A. Kundu, Director ICAR-CIARI, in his valedictory address highlighted the importance of pig rearing for support of the livelihood. He also suggested to adopt pig farming scientifically as detailed in the training programme for doubling the income. He also emphasized on marketing of the produce. He gave away certificates and training manual to the trainees and fodder slips for cultivation to the interested trainees. Dr M.S. Kundu, Course Director gave an overview about the role of pig husbandry to support the livelihood of farmers with minimum investment including the activities taken during the training programme. Dr. D. Bhattacharya, Headi/c of Animal Sciences Division explained different aspects of livestock and poultry facilities available at ICAR-CIARI and requested the farmers to take advantages of the facilities available for their growth. Dr. B.A. Jerard, Head of Horticulture and Forestry Division, Dr. P.K. Singh, Headi/c of Field Crops Improvement & Protection Division and Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, In-charge Social Sciences Section also spoke on the occasion.
The farmers during the feedback session opined that they came to know a lot, not only about pig farming but also on different aspect of livestock farming including fodder cultivation. They suggested that conduct of such type of programmes should be advertized well in advance through print and electronic media so that more numbers of farmers can participate and get benefited. At the end, Dr. Jai Sunder proposed the vote of thanks.