On basis of heavy rush and keen interest shown by the livestock owners of Punjab and surrounding states, one week specialized training programme was organized by the Directorate of Extension education of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana. The training was organized on the topic- “Piggery- The need of an hour and urge of diversification”. .jpg)
Dr. Navdeep Singh and Dr. Simrinder Singh Sodhi were the course coordinator for the training. Dr. Navdeep Singh informed that total 56 candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Rajsathan and U.P. were enrolled for the training. Among them, there were five female trainees Along with theoretical knowledge, trainees were imparted with the practical knowledge on scientific pig farmiing. Dr. Sodhi informed that trainees were also imparted practical training to record basic vital parameters like temperature, respiration rate and restraining of animals. They were also trained to differentiate between healthy and diseased animals. Trainees were also imparted training to deliver first aid in case of emergency conditions It has been informed that topics related to nutritional, health and seasonal management were also discussed in details. A visit to the demonstration pig farm was also organized to give trainees first hand information about the pig farming. It has been further informed that GADVASU is also running “Progressive Piggery Farmers’ Association (PPFA)”. Dr. Sodhi, coordinator of the PPFA informed that on every last Thursday of each month GADVASU organizes a technical seminar on the pattern of horizontal learning for the members of the association.
During the concluding session, trainees were bestowed with the certificates by Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director of Research, GADVASU. Dr. H.K.Verma, Director of Extension Education, GADVASU, informed that diversification of livestock sector is moving at very fast pace. He added that veterinary university is always working on to improve the socio- economic status of the livestock owners by providing them with recent inputs. Dr. Verma advised farmers to take the knowledge provided to them during training to field. He informed that pig farming is a very profitable venture and is easy to manage for beginners. Dr. Verma motivated farmers to start pig farming as an entrepreneurship. He emphasized that farmers should start value addition of pork to get more gains. He added that veterinary varsity is organizing short term training programmes for livestock owners from time to time. He informed trainees that GADVASU is also running farmers telephone helpline (0161-2414005 & 2414026) and farmers can easily contact experts and scientists from university to seek information.
