Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana organized a “Specialized Training Course on Dairy Farming” from 24.02.09 to 28.02.09 for the Project Affected persons (PAPs) deputed by Development Institute for Systems Alternatives (DISA) under Rehabilitiation and Resettelement Policy. DISA deputed 50 farmers from Ludhiana and Sangrur districts of Punjab for the dairy training course. Farmers were especially advised to have prior planning in relation to land and funds. Rearing of high yielding animals along with market demand is the key issue in dairy farming besides construction of economical and comfortable sheds for animals being equally important. The major expenditure in dairy farming is on feed and fodder and the farmers were guided to ascertain the availability of green fodder to the animals throughout the year and to make the concentrate feed at the farm. Fodder preservation methods like Silage and Hay making were demonstrated to them. Farmers were also trained to differentiate between healthy and sick animals; vaccination and deworming schedules and the importance of hygiene in prevention of diseases was specially emphasized. Tips on detection of heat, timely Artificial Insemination and care of pregnant and new-born animals were given to the farmers. Special emphasis was given on reproduction, which tells upon the production of animals. Dr HK Verma, Head , Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension said that after getting such Vocational dairy training from the University, the trainee can start their own enterprise and will be suitably rehabilitated. Dr R S Sahota advised the trainees to work themselves wholeheartedly to achieve the targets, keep themselves up to date and they should also read the University publications related to animal production. Sh. Dharminder Bhan from the DISA was the co-ordinator for this course and Dr. S.S.Sharma was the team leader. Book on “Package and Practices for Livestock production, and health management was provided to the trainees.
