By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 21 Dec: A ‘Kisan Goshti’ and animal healthcare camp was held today at Badasi in Raipur Block of Dehradun District. The Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC) organised the camp under the Farmers’ First Project – Farmers Participatory Technology Application for Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihood Security in North-Western Himalayas funded by ICAR.
Dr M Muruganandam, Sr Scientist, IISWC, spoke on the links between healthy livestock development, rural and hill economy, nutrition and livelihoods. During the programme, farmers were sensitised on the needs of timely and complete adoption of vaccination against various prominent animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), Black Quarter (BQ), Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), etc. Seeking the help of the farmers for complete adoption of vaccination and preventive medication, he requested farmers to practice scientific livestock rearing on their own. He emphasised the judicious use of resources besides adopting improved healthcare and sanitation practices for the augmented economy of animal rearing.
Dr Manish Patel, Sr Veterinary Officer, Raipur, and his team from Uttarakhand State Animal Husbandry Department, participated in the camp. Dr Patel explained various animal healthcare measures with the focus on the ongoing winter season and categorical Do’s and Don’ts in simple language to the participants. The farmer participants were informed of recent developments in improved livestock management, needed precautions and medications. The importance of improved feeds and feeding techniques were described by the doctors. He briefed on various schemes and programmes including animal insurance, development of micro-enterprises and schemes for weaker sections of the society that are available at the State Veterinary Department for the benefit of different sections of farmers.
Suresh Kumar and Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Chief Technical Officers of the IISWC, spoke on the social issues of livestock production and animal husbandry. In the camp, veterinary medicines, feed supplements like mineral-vitamin mix, calcium powder, liver tonic, de-worming tablets, sanitary solution, and medicines for sick animals and improving milk yields and meat production were distributed free of cost under the project. Dr Patel and his veterinary officers prescribed medicines, particularly for the menaces of ecto and endo-parasites like ticks, mites and lice, infestations by gastro-intestinal parasitic worms, fever, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, infertility and nutritional deficiencies. Sick animals were inspected by the doctors and medication prescribed at the camps. The participants cleared their doubts on farming problems, animal diseases, their prevention, cure and medications besides the schemes and provisions available with the Animal Husbandry Department.
About 100 farmers and farm women who rear goats, cows, buffaloes, and poultry birds benefitted. Local leaders and Panchayat presidents from Badasi and adjacent villages participated in the camp. Dr Muruganandam coordinated the camp with the help of Suresh Kumar and Rakesh Kumar.