The Regional Centre of Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar organized a state level workshop on “Backyard Poultry and duck production for sustainable livelihood and food security” during 28th February to 1St March 2012.
Chief veterinary officers from Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts and officers looking after the poultry production in other districts, NGOs, experts from OUAT, hatchery owners, feed suppliers and more than 80 farmers including 35 women participated the workshop. The CARI a premier institute under the auspices of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi has developed several improved breeds of birds with high meat and egg yield potential. Backyard poultry and duck production technologies developed by the Institute has contributed enormously in socio-economic upliftment of resource poor farmers.
Series of technical discussions and deliberations were held on the first day after the inaugural ceremony followed by a field visit for the farmers on second day which exposed them to the scientific poultry and duck production under backyard sector. Farmers present in the workshop interacted with the scientists and experts regarding developed variety of chicks and ducklings, available nutrition for the birds, diseases including the bird flu, duck fish integration practices and economical gain for a farm family from backyard poultry production. Inter institutional meeting was held on the third day to discuss about the implementation of recommendations of the workshop.
Two booklets were also released on this occasion viz., “ Muktaangana Kukutta Palana” in Odia and “Duck farming for rural farmers” in English for the benefit of the farming community. It is to be mentioned that the workshop was held as a part of the activities under the on- going NAIP project entitled “Sustainable livelihood through integrated development of fresh water aquaculture, horticulture and livestock production in Keonjhar, Sambalpur and Mayurbhanj districts of Orissa” under NAIP. Dr. J. K. Jena, Director, NBFGR, Lucknow and Dr. S. K. Ray, former Director A. H. Govt. of Odisha were also invited as chief guest and guest of honour for this function. Dr. S.K. Mishra, In-charge, Regional Centre, Central Avian Research Institute chaired the function and Dr. S.C. Giri, Senior Scientist of the centre organized the said event.