Chapparchiri (SAS Nagar)/Chandigarh, February 18, 2014: The 6th Technical session of the Agriculture summit was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Baljit Singh Prof. and Associate Dean (Research) University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Canada wherein he stressed on the need of rearing small ruminants. He said that crop farming is no longer viable as primary economic source because of the rising input costs. He said that the increased use of insecticides and pesticides for the crops is leading to rise in the incidence of cancer therefore venturing into other allied sectors is the need of the hour. He exhorted the small and marginal farmers besides land less agriculture labourers and unplanned youth to opt for scientific economic goat rearing besides intensive pig farming to supplement their income besides giving a big push to diversification of agricultural economy.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Ashok Kumar, Principal Scientist at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura said that goat husbandry as industry in organised scale is gaining momentum and several farm under private sector are emerging. Claiming that goat is the ‘future animal’ as it requires as low initial investment, less housing requirement, the goat meat is low on cholesterol and relatively good for health, it is best suited animal to varied climatic conditions and there is less risk in goat farming as compare to other livestock.
Giving enlightening statistics Dr. Kumar informed that goats and their products contribute approximately Rs. 22,138 crore annually to the national economy including the income from goat meat, milk, by-products and manure. He gave detailed information on the goat rearing system including the technologies for economic goat farming. He also gave valueable tips on feeding and housing management of the animal. The participants were briefed about health technologies so that mortality rate may be restricted below 10%.
Giving tips for economic goat farming the suggested rearing of good quality of goats, selective breeding of animals as well as strategic marketing of goat.
Dr. D.K. Sharma from National Research Centre on Pigs, Rani Guwahati said that India facing a unique development paradox of being in the front ranks of fast growing global economies with about 25% of world’s hungry poor. He said the population in India will reach 1.5 billion by 2026 but its economy is not growing at the same peace. He said that for a large population nearly 20 million new jobs would be required and pig farming for self employment will play an important role in such a scenario. Enlisting the advantages of pig farming, he said that pigs grow fast and are capable of producing two litters per year under optimal management conditions. Its carcass return is quite high i.e 60-80% of life body weight. Moreover pig rearing can be done with a small investment on building and equipment and the faeces of pigs is used as a manure to maintain soil fertility. He said that pig farming provides employment opportunities to seasonally employed rural farmers and supplementary income to improve their living standard. He said that demand for pork and pork products is increasing internationally. Citing the example of china, he said that it imports 48% of pork from US which is indicative of the fact that there is no dearth of market for quality pork. He said that lack of adequate support from the developmental and financial bodies is a hindrance in way to intensive pig farming. Besides non availability of organised slaughter houses is yet another problem. Dr. Sharma highlighted the opportunities and strategies for piggery improvement including establishment of pig villages and identification of breeder farmers. He shared the success stories of pig farmers of various states and stressed upon rearing quality pigs.
Dalwinder Singh from Ropar and Gurbaksh Singh from Nathana Bathinda also shared their experiences as pig farmers.//punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,
Date:
Tuesday, February 18, 2014