SHILLONG — Winter can be tough on poultry and piggery units, and farmers in Ri-Bhoi are being given practical support to get through the season.
The ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Mukteshwar, in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ri-Bhoi, held a Kisan Goshti-cum-input distribution programme on September 30 on the care and management of poultry and pigs during winter.
The programme brought together 90 farmers, including 67 women and 23 men, at the KVK office and demonstration farms.
Dr G. Kadirvel, Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, attended as chief guest and stressed the need for scientific animal husbandry during the colder months. He also encouraged the teams to work towards developing a model village for sustainable livestock production in Ri-Bhoi.
Farmers received pig feed, poultry feed, poultry feeders, multivitamin mixtures and other livestock inputs.
The technical session covered practical winter concerns including housing, nutrition, disease prevention and biosecurity. Dr Ashutosh Fular of ICAR-IVRI and Dr Sayed Nabil Abedin led the technical discussions.
The programme was organised under the NEH Programme component of ICAR-IVRI and is aimed at improving livestock productivity and income among small and marginal farmers in Ri-Bhoi.
