Bhubaneswar: A farmers’ training and scientist–farmer interaction programme was organised recently in President Droupadi Murmu’s village in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, bringing together experts and over 200 farmers from Uperbeda, Hatabadra, Aharabandha and Kusumi villages.
The programme was jointly conducted by Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, and ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (ICAR-NIANP), Bangalore.
The initiative focused on improving livestock productivity, scientific feeding practices and sustainable agricultural interventions among Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste farmers in the region.
ICAR-NIANP director Artabandhu Sahoo attended the event as the chief guest and interacted extensively with farmers and discussed scientific methods for enhancing livestock production, with special emphasis on balanced feeding of dairy animals.
He also distributed animal feed, mineral supplements and rubber mats to beneficiaries to support better animal health and productivity.
OUAT Research Dean Niranjan Panda graced the occasion as the guest of honour and advised farmers on backyard poultry rearing, proper feeding techniques and timely vaccination of coloured poultry birds popular in the region.
Mayurbhanj Sub-Divisional Veterinary Officer Sushanta Kumar Singh elaborated on various livestock development programmes being implemented in the district and encouraged farmers to avail themselves of government schemes.
National Dairy Research Institute former principal scientist T K Mohanty highlighted the importance of scientific feeding and reproductive management in dairy cows.