Topography, climate and socio-economic conditions in Tripura state intends the people on livestock farming and particularly, chick and duck rearing are increasing by marginal and small farmers. There is a good demand for chicken and eggs for local consumption. Therefore, chick and duck rearing has occupied a special significance in this state, as these birds offer enough scope in generating employment opportunities and improving the socio-economic status of the weaker section of population.
Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-IVRI, Kolkata took initiatives through its NorthEastern Hill (NEH) programme and organized Kisan Gosthi-cum-Awareness Programme and distributed chicks, ducklings, feed and veterinary medicines to beneficiaries in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhalai, Salema, Tripura on 22.03.2023. The inaugural programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Sri Tapas Paul, Vice-Chairman, Dhalai Panchayat Samiti in presence of Sri Sunil Ranjan Das, Pradhan, Singhinala Panchayat and Sri Pintu Sharma, social worker; Dr. Abhijit Denbath, Sr Scientist and Head, KVK, Dhalai and Dr. Supritam Das, SMS Animal Science. Beneficiaries (n =100), entrepreneurs and staff of the KVK were present in the programme.
At the outset, Dr Abhijit Debnath, Head, KVK- Dhalai, welcomed the participants and dignitaries and briefed about the purpose and objective of this of this NEH programme for socioeconomic development of hill area farmers/ villagers. He stated the progress in 2 adoption of agricultural practices including rearing of animals by the farmers in this area. Chief Guest, Sri Tapas Paul, addressed the beneficiaries about the mission of this programme to uplift the farmers/ villagers of different localities by providing the inputs through the KVKs in collaboration with different ICAR institutes. He stressed on the methodical rearing and knowledge sharing for the management of animals, their marketing and getting financial benefits as well as to make attempt to develop a farm by the farmers. Dr D Mondal, Principal Scientist addressed the farmers about the rearing, clinical management and vaccination of chicks and ducks in this agroclimatic condition. Dr S.C. Das, Principal Scientist narrated about the prospect of this type of programme in context to socio-economic development of NEH poor farmers in conjunction to mix-farming involving Animal Husbandry along with Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries etc. and its income generation. He also discussed overall the hurdles in rearing poultry and ducks and its suitable way to overcome the problems. Dr Das also urged the beneficiaries to adopt scientific management practices for better production and increased productivity of animals.
The inaugural programme was followed by organisation of a “Kisan Gosthicum-Awareness Programme” in which Dr. Dayamoy Mondal, Principal Scientist, ERS, ICAR-IVRI, Kolkata delivered lecture on animal health, vaccination, therapeutics and nutritional needs for effective productivity and reduced mortality in order to get maximise the income generation of the poor farmers. Addressing the gathering, Dr Supritam Das, SMS Animal Science emphasised on production of poultry and ducks through scientific rearing and health coverage. He has also given impetus on zero mortality of birds through scientific ways of health management. Interaction with farmers and scientists on various difficulties and management of birds rearing was done in details. Sri Sunil Ranjan Das, Singinala Gram Panchayet Pradhan shared his own experience in goat farming to generate a herd of 25 goats 
from one goat. He nicely briefed the potential of rearing of these 3 small animals and to get benefit of income generation by the rural farmers of this area. He shared his experience of encountered problems and its way of solution also. The Kisan-Gosthi was followed by distribution of 4 weaks old chicks (N=2000), and ducklings (N=1700) along with grower feed (10,000 Kg) and medicines and supplement among beneficiaries (n=100) of 8 blocks of Dhalai district. As a part of awareness programme, various leaflets were distributed among the participants. At the end, the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Sanjay Ghosh, SMS, KVK Dhalai, Tripura. The support and cooperation received from one and all, especially the subject matter specialist Dr. Supritam Das and staff of KVK Dhalai, Tripura made the programme a grand success.
See More: http://ivri.nic.in/News/NEH-Tripura202329.pdf
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