Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana organised an exposure visit of the beneficiary famers under Farmer FIRST P
roject sanctioned by the ICAR, New Delhi. About 60 farmers from different villages under the project visited the Regional Research and Training Centre (RRTC), Kaljharani, Bathinda under the guidance of Dr. P.S. Brar, Director of Extension Education and Nodal officer of Farmer FIRST Project. Dr Y.S. Jadoun, Principal Investigator of the project along with Dr. S K Kansal, Dr. Navkiran and Post Graduates scholars from the department of Veterinary Extension Education coordinated the exposure visit. The exposure visit was conducted to sensitize the farmers about the different livestock farming avenues as a diversification move from the usual dairy farming practices.
Farmers visited the dedicated Sahiwal cow farm and Beetal goat farm of the centre. Dr. Bimal Shar
ma, Principal-cum-Joint Director of RRTC, Kaljharani briefed about the indigenous breeds of cattle and goat and their importance as diversified entrepreneurial venture and utilization of farm waste to make the livestock farming a sustainable and profitable venture. They were made aware about the special characteristics regarding its milk and disease resistant nature of pure Sahiwal cattle and Beetal Goat. He further stressed on conservation of native germplasm of Punjab which is depleting day by day.
A farmer-scientist-interaction was held where farmers discussed with the experts about common problems of dairy animals like: availability of good quality of semen, repeat breeding, prolapse etc. Experts also sort-out their queries. Dr. Y.S. Jadoun concluded the exposure visit by giving vote of thanks to the Principal of the centre and his team and farmers for making this visit successful.
