VC SKUAST-K for coordinated effort to assist sheep, goat producers

Srinagar: Vice chancellor SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, Prof Mushtaq Ahmad called upon experts from university and Sheep Husbandry Department for coordinated and concerted effort among themselves not only to mitigate the economic impact of the disease on people relying on small ruminants for subsistence, but effectively guide them on better management off their stock helping them tackle nutrient requirements.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the “Colloquia on Small Ruminant Production and Disease Control Kashmir Perspective” here jointly organised by the Associate Directorate Extension (Animal Sciences) -SKUAST along with the Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir.
He urged upon the participants to engage freely to achieve tangible results out of this 10 day long programme, thus helping each other not only the breed evaluation or the germplasm required, but looking at the nutritional requirements, disease control and above all disease surveillance jointly.
Dr Basharat Ahmad Kuthu Joint Director Farms SHD Kashmir in his remarks said that the programme provides a vital platform for all of us to work jointly and exchange critical information during the programme that will go a long way devising solutions for our sheep and goat farmers.
Earlier the Dean of the university professor M A Paul said that discussions of experts from university and the line departments can in near future deliver best results for those dependent on small ruminants for their daily subsistence.
He urged upon the department to push forward for jointly working on a vaccine programme for these animals to help the farmers.
Dr M Maroof Shah, Deputy Director Research DIL Nowshera said that programme is aimed at boosting the liaison among the researchers at the university level as well as experts of the department who have expertise working across a wide range of farms spread across the valley.
He said that the university and line department need to have close coordination so that they can boost the livelihoods of commercial sheep and goat farmers and traditional smallholder farmers.
He appreciated the efforts put forth by SKUAST to achieve these desired results.
Earlier Dr Hilal Musadiq deliberated on making sheep and goat rearing a viable venture for the farmers keeping pace with market needs . He stressed on taking diverse activities allied with sheep farming achieving value addition of various bye products.
Dr Rafiq Ahmad from SHD discussed the problems faced by farmers in view of the pressure on land fragmentation and making the rearing intensive.
He said that researchers can look into the variety of livestock production of sheep and goats existing in government run farms and conduct studies on their adaptability to the different agro-ecologies achieving different results.
the programme was also attended by Director extension SKUAST Prof Masood A Mir and Dr Abdul Hai from Faculty Outreach Centre Shuhama.
The inaugural sessions were moderated by Dr Aijaz A Dar, Assistant Professor (Vety Medicine), Directorate of Extension while the vote of thanks was presented by Dr Aabeen Sakina, Vety Assistant surgeon at DIL Nowhera.

KR Desk