KVK Amritsar, PAU, and ICAR collaborate for 7-Day Goat Rearing Training in Taran Tarn District

Ludhiana, February 20, 2024: In a collaborative effort, KVK Amritsar, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and ICAR-Attari, Zone-1 Ludhiana, conducted a comprehensive 7-day training programme on "Goat Rearing" from February 12 to February 20, in Taran Tarn district. The programme aimed to equip rural youth farmers and farm women from Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Kapurthala districts with essential knowledge and skills for successful goat farming.

Dr Bikramjit Singh, Associate Director (Training) at KVK Amritsar, welcomed the participants and emphasized the significance of goat rearing as a supplementary agricultural occupation. He encouraged attendees to explore goat rearing for income and employment opportunities and urged them to utilize the services offered by KVK effectively.

Course Coordinator Dr Kanwarpal Singh Dhillon, Assistant Professor (Animal Science) at KVK Amritsar, imparted detailed insights into goat breeds, feed requirements, housing arrangements, marketing of goat milk products, vaccination, and disease prevention. The training also covered the economics of goat rearing and the importance of record-keeping.

Dr Sahajbir Singh, Veterinary Officer at Amritsar, briefed the participants on the facilities provided by the Animal Husbandry Department and government schemes available for goat rearers, such as KCC. Jaskirat Singh, AGM at NABARD, Amritsar, shared valuable information about government-funded schemes and subsidies for goat rearers.

Dr Narinderpal Singh, District Extension Specialist (Chief) at Farm Advisory Service Centre, Amritsar, engaged with the trainees on marketing skills and business management for goat rearers. Additionally, former trainee S Sandeep Singh shared his experiences and addressed the participants' queries regarding goat rearing.

The programme also included an educational visit to Sukhpal Singh Gill's farm, where the trainees interacted directly and gained practical insights into goat breeding. A 'Pre-Knowledge Test' and a 'Post-Training Knowledge Test' were conducted to assess the participants' learning progress.

Lastly, Dr Kanwarpal Singh Dhillon thanked the participants and encouraged them to excel in their new venture. Books on goat farming were provided to the participants, and a WhatsApp group was created to facilitate ongoing knowledge sharing.