Srinagar, June 02: Division of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, FVSc and AH, SKUAST-Kashmir in collaboration with J&K Dairy Farmers Association, (JKDFA) Jammu and Kashmir Monday organised a day long farmer’s awareness Programme on the occasion of World Milk Day.
The event had few interactive sessions on the theme “Let’s Celebrate the Power of Dairy” conducted at Faculty Outreach Centre, FVSc and AH alongside a demonstrative cum exposure session held at Mountain Livestock Research Centre (MLRI) Manasbal, post interesting farmer-scientist interaction held earlier at Shuhama. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest and was accompanied by Dean FVSc and AH Prof. Riaz A Shah, Sandeep S Chip President JK Dairy Farmers Association, Prof. Abdul Hai, event coordinator and Dr. Shahid, from JKDFA on the dais.
In his brief address VC Prof Ganai highlighted the importance of dairy sector in Indian economy and its central role in development of agri-based industry in coming times. Prof. Ganai further hoped that the present programme would serve as a step towards more collaborative initiatives in dairy sector through involvement of multiple stakeholders under common banner. Prof. Ganai also appreciated the presence of dairy farmers from Jammu division in the programme for their active involvement. More than 30 dairy farmers from different districts of the J&K took active part in the event along with the office bearers of JKDFA, both from J&K based units.
Prof. Raiz A Shah, Dean Veterinary Faculty in his address threw light on different aspects of dairying and its contribution to overall societal development. Prof. Riaz wished that the participants will make full use of present awareness programme for betterment of their livestock farming. In his address President JKDFA, Sandeep S Chib thanked the organizers for providing the platform to reach out to the farming community in this region. Sandeep also deliberated in detail on the working and future plans of JKDFA especially in context expansion of dairying and its promotional activities. The participants took a keen interest in farmer scientist interaction programme and also visited the MLRI station of SKUAST-Kashmir followed by certificate and milk packet distribution among the farmers. Earlier Prof. Abdul Hai welcomed the audience while Dr. Afzal H Akand Head division gave a brief about the program that ended with the formal vote of thanks presented by Dr. Shabeer A Hamdani, Assistant Prof at Division of Veterinary Extension. The uniqueness of the event was the involvement of different stakeholders in the event across different regions of Jammu and Kashmir form the common cause of dairy development.
