By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Goat Research Centre of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at Chinna Kovilaankulam near Sankarankovil organised a two-day workshop on its campus on Friday and Saturday for farmers on protecting the indigenous goat breeds.
Since the native goat breeds are a major source of income for the cattle rearers of the southern districts, they suffer huge loss when the viral outbreaks wipe out these animals in bunches, especially during active monsoons and downpour. Hence, the workshop sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, funded Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, was organised for the benefit of farmers here.
Professors of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli, delivered lectures on goat farming, including scientific conservation methods for Kanni and Kodi goats in southern Tamil Nadu, importance of native goat conservation, breeding systems, feeding and grazing management, housing strategies, disease control measures, and insurance of animals. Since most farmers were uninformed about insuring their cattle as it would bail them out in case of massive loss due to vital outbreak, farmers were explained in detail about protecting themselves through insurance.
As rearing the goat for meat is an excellent source of revenue, the participants were trained in feeding the animals with proper fodder and the plants available in their areas.
Farmers were exposed with practical knowledge and demonstration on deworming, deticking, and feed supplementation methods for goats to accelerate their growth. Since farmers used to vaccinate their animals on their own after buying the vaccines directly from pharmacies without prescription, they were advised to take the prescription from qualified veterinarians.
An exhibition on pharmaceutical products and nutritional supplements for livestock and poultry were organised as a part of this workshop, wherein six pharmaceutical companies participated and explained about their products to the participants.
The farmers who participated in the workshop were provided with free health inputs for their goats. A total of 50 farmers participated and benefited from this workshop.
S. Meenakshisundaram, Director, Centre for Animal Production Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, and Professor S. Vasantha Kumar of Goat Research Centre, spoke.
