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Participating officials pose for the lens after the inauguration of the model training course at ICAR, Medziphema.[/caption]
Dimapur, Oct. 24 (EMN): Eight days model training course on “Small scale dairy development as a means of livelihood improvement in North-Eastern region” was inaugurated at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema on Oct. 24, with an objective to popularize small-scale dairy enterprise to improve the socio-economic status of farmers through livelihood improvement.
The training programme is being sponsored by Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the chief guest, Dr. (Capt) Dhananjaya Rao, Dean College of Veterinary Science, Jalukie, appreciated the initiative taken by ICAR-NRC on Mithun by imparting such a training programme to the veterinary officers and KVK officials which in turn will be helpful to fulfill the government initiatives for doubling the farmers’ income by 2022. Dr. Rao stressed upon the need of utilization of locally available resources and integration of agriculture component along with the dairy farming to make it a viable enterprise.
Director ICAR-NRC on Mithun Dr. Abhijit Mitra, highlighted the scope of dairy sector in the Northeastrn region. Due to changing lifestyle and increase per capita income, the demand for milk and milk products are steadily increasing, he said. He also apprised the house that Indian dairy industry has become an attractive economic activity and growing at a steady growth rate of 4.5% against the global trend of 2.2%.
He also mentioned that recently, many of the international and national companies have started investing in the dairy sector. Last month, Government of India launched a Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) of Rs. 10,881 crore for the period 2017-18 to 2028-29, to develop the country’s dairy sector, benefitting 95 lakh farmers in 5000 villages and generating nearly 2.5 lakh jobs, Dr. Mitra infromed. He added that the primary focus of DIDF will be on building an efficient milk procurement system by setting up of the Bulk Chilling Machine (BMC) and installation of electronic milk adulteration testing equipment and creation, modernization, expansion of processing infrastructure and manufacturing faculties for value-added products for the milk unions and producers. Keeping in view the great potential, it is high time to take small-scale dairy as a commercial venture for improving farmers’ income.
During the eight days training progremme, lectures and practical on various aspects including selection of dairy animals, nutritional, health care and reproductive management of dairy animals, and clean and hygienic milk production, processing and packaging will be delivered to the participants.
More than 20 veterinary officers and Subject Matter Specialist (SMS), KVK from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland are participating in the training programme.
