Baramulla, Nov 20 (KNO): Department of Sheep Husbandry, Baramulla Wednesday organised a “District-level Kissan Mela-cum-Livestock Show” at Kripalgarh Singhpora Pattan under the scheme “State Extension Program for Extension Reforms (ATMA)” component of centrally-sponsored scheme “Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SAME)”.
Director, Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir (Chief Guest) and Joint Director Extension Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir (Guest of Honour) presided over the function.
Dr Abdul Qayoom, Assistant Professor, FVSC, SKUAST-K, VAS Palhalan from Animal Husbandry, HDO Pattan, AD SBF Kralpathri and SDAO Pattan also participated in the function.
As per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the event was organised by Dr. Khalid Omer, VAS Khanpeth, under the guidance of District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Baramulla, Dr. Showkat Ahmad Ahanger. About 60 progressive sheep/ goat breeders from different Sheep Extension Centres of three Sheep Development Blocks of Khanpeth, Pattan and Tapper were invited with due representation to women and ST community.
Experts of Sheep Husbandry Department and SKUAST-K delivered enlightening talks about different surgical affections in small ruminants and their management, winter management of livestock and different income-generating schemes available with the department.
Officers of line departments including Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture etc. also gave awareness about the schemes available with them, more particularly under various projects of Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) besides installing stalls.
Representative of United India Insurance Company enlightened the breeders about various benefits of insuring their animals, particularly in events of wild-attacks/ natural calamities. Stalls were also installed by various entrepreneurs/ start-ups to persuade breeders to adopt modern livestock rearing practices and equipment.
Various officials from SDB Khanpeth, SDB Pattan and SDB Tapper with exceptional contributions towards their legitimate duties were awarded appreciation certificates.
The main attraction of the program was the livestock show in which elite rams, ewes and goats were displayed to the participants and subsequently judged by a team of experts.
Owners of the most outstanding animals among each category were given first, second and third prizes besides being rewarded with appreciation certificates. Tea, refreshment and lunch was served to all participants. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from VAS Khanpeth on behalf of DSHO Baramulla—(KNO)