The Training and Education Centre (TEC) of ICAR-IVRI, Pune, organized a series of impactful initiatives from April 21-24 in Hingoli district of Maharashtra, focusing on farmer education and support for livestock-based livelihoods. On April 22, 2025, a Kisan Gosthi was conducted at Ajegaon village, Sengaon taluka, which saw enthusiastic participation from over 50 farmers across the villages of Ajegaon, Waghjali, Palshi, Shindephal, Datada, Hatta and Sengaon. The event featured technical sessions by experts including Dr Sanghratna Bahire, Scientist, ICAR-IVRI Pune; Dr Tukaram Bhuktar, Associate Professor, COVAS Parbhani; and Dr Anil Olambe, SMS (Horticulture), KVK Hingoli. Dr Bahire and Dr Bhuktar addressed vital topics in animal husbandry, including profitable goat farming, fodder and feeding management, and care of chicks during transport, helping farmers enhance productivity and health of their livestock. Whereas, Dr Olambe’s comprehensive presentation on turmeric cultivation covered soil preparation, planting methods, weed control, fertigation, and post-harvest practices, encouraging farmers to diversify into high-value crops. The session concluded with a lively question-and-answer segment, allowing farmers to clarify their doubts and receive hands-on solutions tailored to their local farming conditions. Complementing this educational outreach, TEC-IVRI, Pune, also conducted a goat and poultry feed distribution, targeting 43 selected livestock farmers, including 13 goat and 30 poultry beneficiaries, across the region. Each goat farmer received 200 kg of concentrate feed and a MS goat feeder, while poultry farmers were supported with finisher feed (200 kg for new units, 100 kg for existing units) along with 100 chick feeders and waterers. A follow-up survey of beneficiary farmers and their interaction revealed significant impact. Despite the reported loss of seven goats (one from the new stock and six from older mothers), poultry units demonstrated encouraging results. A total of 306 backyard poultry birds were currently maintained by 17 farmers, who collectively sold 12,240 eggs over three months, generating an income of Rs. 73,440, and an additional Rs. 50,000 through the sale of about 100 meat birds. Altogether, the poultry beneficiaries earned Rs. 1,23,440 averaging Rs. 7,261 per household, marking a noteworthy improvement in rural income and food security. Both initiatives underscore the commitment of TEC-IVRI, Pune, to bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and field practice, ensuring that farmers receive both technical guidance and tangible support. Experts have called for continued veterinary and technical followup to sustain these gains and minimize losses in future cycles.
https://www.ivri.nic.in/News/Kisan%20Goshti_pune_752025.pdf
