Port Blair, Nov. 15:  Three days conference of Indian Poultry Science Association (IPSACON-2018) was  inaugurated  today on 15th November, 2018 by  Dr. R. S. Gandhi, ADG, (Animal Genetics and Breeding), New  Delhi.

At the outset Dr A. Kundu, Director of ICAR-CIARI and the Chairman of IPSACON-2018 welcomed all the distinguished dignitaries, guests, Heads of Divisions, staff of ICAR-CIARI, Development departments and other organization.  He also briefed to the house the  four decades  journey of CIARI  and its R & D and Extension accomplishments.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief guest , Dr. R. S. Gandhi, ADG, (Animal Genetics and Breeding), New  Delhi  emphasized to elevate backyard poultry farming as commercial poultry production is reaching to its plateau. Up scaling of layers and broilers was stressed by him. Various approaches like supply of quality germplasm, development of entrepreneurship, capacity building, promotion of native breeds along with value addition, nutrition interventions, creation of self help groups or cooperatives etc has been suggested to develop the poultry sector.  He also stressed that  Poultry enterprises has been viewed having capacity to double the farmer’s income. He urged for focusing the research on poultry waste management , climate resilient , so that the  that the rural poultry production is enhanced to 40 percent from 20 percent . On this occasion, DNA based kit for sex determination in non ratite birds developed by the team of Scientists of the Animal Science Division along with the souvenir and abstract compendium was released on the occasion.

Dr. P.K. Tyagi, Joint Secretary briefed about the activities and functioning of Indian Poultry Science Association. Vice president of the Society, Dr A. B. Mandal  gave an insight of the  rural poultry production and emphasized the issue of sustainable poultry farming.

President, Indian Poultry Science Association Dr. A. Jalaludeen, expressed thanks to the organizing committee being agreed to organize this conference among the difficulties of the island. He explained the developments in the poultry sector and emphasized to increase per capita availability of eggs. He has been in the opinion that farmer’s interest and making food available at cheaper rate should not be compromised by laws. He also expressed his happiness to initiate post graduation in Poultry Science in State Agriculture University.

During the inaugural function Dr. N. Ramamurthy was  conferred with  IPSA Life time achievement Award. IPSA Fellow awards to Dr. A.S. Yadav, Dr. Mukund Kadam, Dr. Elangavan, and Dr. Chatli. Dr. S. Ravindran with IPSA Andhra Chapter Award. Dr. D. Chaudhary Award was given to Dr. G. Prabhakaran. Other awards  namely for best research article, IPSA Kerala Chapter Award and Dr. P.K. Pani Award were also conferred . 

At the end vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. T. Sujatha, Organizing Secretary, IPSACON-2018.