Port Blair, Nov. 22: A joint workshop on “Meeting of Livestock farmers and Agriculturists with NIAB Scientists (MILAN)” was organized by ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair in collaboration with DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad on 21st November 2022 at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. The workshop was conducted on the theme of Implications of the Human-Animal Interface in Public Health and to understand the issues and challenges faced by livestock farmers, thereby making suitable technological interventions for improving the productivity and health of livestock. The workshop was attended by 130 participants including livestock farmers, Veterinarians, scientists from ICAR-CIARI, and NIAB, Hyderabad.

Shri. H. Manoj, GM, NABARD, Port Blair was the Chief Guest of the function. In his address, he appreciated the CIARI for organizing such an important workshop for the benefit of livestock farmers and veterinarians. He also highlighted the various schemes of NABARD and urged the farmers to come forward to avail the benefits of the schemes. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Ashok Gupta, Director, DAHVS, A & N Administration emphasized the various advanced biotechnological tools for their application at the field level. Dr. G. Taru Sharma, Director, NIAB, Hyderabad thanked the Director, CIARI for hosting the event and in her address, highlighted the activities, achievements, and future thrust areas of the institute. Dr. Syed Faisal, Scientist E, NIAB, Hyderabad gave a brief presentation about the various technologies developed by the NIAB. In this presidential address, Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI, Port Blair motivated farmers on how their role and involvement are important to identify field problems that can be the base for research priority. Dr. D. Bhattacharya, HoD, Animal Science Division briefed about the higher prevalence of parasitic cases in livestock and prevention of Ranikhet Disease in poultry. He also mentioned the significance and application of FAMACHA, climate-smart poultry farming, Trimodal therapy, and Tickure in livestock and poultry.

Later, a farmer-scientist interaction session was convened, wherein various field-level problems related to livestock health and production were discussed in detail, and spot solutions were suggested. Earlier, Dr. Jai Sunder, Pr Scientist welcomed the gathering while Dr. A.K. De, Sr Scientist proposed a vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by Dr. T.Sujatha, Dr.P.Bala & Dr.A.K.De as organizing secretaries & Dr.P.Perumal, Dr.K. Muniswamy, and Dr.R.R.Alyethodi as co-organizers.