KVK, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) organised one week off-campus vocational training on ‘Integrated Farming’ at village Khizarabad, Block Majri. Eighteen females and twelve males belonging to scheduled caste
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community attended this training program. The training was sponsored under RKVY-11 scheme “Inclusive Growth in Livestock, Dairy and Fishery Farming Through Technological interventions in Punjab”. On inaugural day, training coordinator(s) Dr. Vikas Phulia, Assistant Professor (Fisheries) and Dr. Parul Gupta, Assistant Professor (Home Science) apprised the farmers regarding the objective of this training program and various activities carried out by KVK for farmers’ benefits. Dr. Phulia delivered lectures on advantages and scope of integrated farming system with special emphasis on integration of agriculture and animal husbandry based systems with fish farming. He also encouraged farmwomen and youth participants to adopt ornamental fish farming and processing and value addition of fish for starting their own business ventures with low investments. Dr. Parul Gupta, Assistant Professor (Home Science)
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discussed the importance of value addition of farm produce to achieve higher profit. She also encouraged women trainees to form a Self-Help Group to attain self-dependence. Dr. Shashi Pal, Assistant Professor (Livestock Production), shared the information regarding pig, poultry and goat farming. Deputy Director, KVK, Dr. Yashwant Singh emphasised on care and management of dairy animals to prevent the chances of disease occurrences. Dr. Munish Sharma, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) gave detailed lectures on cultivation of vegetables and fruits under IFS system and protected cultivation. An exposure visit of trainees was also organized to goat, poultry and fish farms of GADVASU, Ludhiana. Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director Research, GADVASU,
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interacted with trainees and motivated them to adopt integrated farming practices to enhance farm income. Dr. Baltej Singh, Veterinary Officer, Khizarabad discussed regarding health management of dairy animals and various financial subsidy schemes offered by Punjab State Animal Husbandry Department. On concluding day of the training, certificates and inputs like literature, mineral mixture and teat dip kits were distributed to the participants. Dr. Phulia specifically highlighted the support provided by Sarpanch Khizarabad, S. Surinder Singh in conducting this training program. The participants appreciated the efforts of team KVK and GADVASU for conducting this training and pledged to bring diversification in their current farming practices.
