BackICAR-CSWRI Hosts Workshop for Promotion of Artificial Insemination in Sheep in the Northern Hilly States of India

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 A one-day regional workshop focusing on the "Promotion of Artificial Insemination and Machine Wool Shearing in Sheep in the Northern Temperate States of India" was successfully organized by the ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Avikanagar at the Northern Temperate Regional Station, Gadsa, Kullu, H.P on 29 June 2024.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairman of the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi, graced the workshop as the chief guest. Special guests included Dr. Sujit Dutta, Joint Commissioner of the National Livestock Mission (DAHD, GoI), and Dr. Parvinder Sheoran, Director, ATARI Zone-I, Ludhiana. The workshop was presided over by Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director of the Institute.

In his keynote address, Dr. Sanjay Kumar commended the Institute's initiatives benefiting livestock farmers. He encouraged experts from animal husbandry departments and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the region to disseminate the research institutes' innovations to the farmers and urged the researchers to think out-of-the-box and bring innovative products as per the demand of the sector. Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, Director of the institute welcomed the participants and briefed about the workshop. In his address, he highlighted the technologies developed by the Avikanagar institute and emphasized the institute’s research efforts aimed at strengthening the sheep sector in the northern temperate states through the development and propagation of region-specific sheep and rabbit breeds.

A key highlight of the workshop was the demonstration of the Mobile Artificial Insemination Laboratory, Avi MAIL, developed by the institute for sheep insemination. This innovative technology received high praise and recommendations for the adoption of this model to improve sheep breeds in the region. Dr Ajit Singh Mahla, Scientist, delivered a lecture on estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in sheep emphasizing the importance of these technologies for the enhancement of individual animal productivity.

Approximately 150 participants attended the event, including policymakers, academics, KVK experts, and officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (GoI), as well as State Animal/Sheep Husbandry Departments from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, the UT of Ladakh, and Punjab. Progressive farmers from Himachal Pradesh were also present. The workshop, supported by the National Livestock Mission (NLM), received a request from policymakers of animal husbandry departments to deploy the Mobile AI Laboratory, Avi MAIL, in their states to facilitate reproductive techniques at farmers' doorsteps. Dr. S.K. Dutta, Joint Commissioner of NLM, praised the innovation and its practical utility, assuring that the department would include this model in large-scale breed improvement programs for sheep through artificial insemination. Dr. Parvinder Sheoran, Director of ATARI, urged the CSWRI to collaborate with KVK experts for the validation and demonstration of their novel technologies.

The workshop featured informative lectures by Dr. Shankar Lal Khichar, Assistant Professor detailing various National Livestock Mission schemes and problems faced by the farmers, and Dr. Ajay Kumar on machine wool shearing techniques in the sheep.

The event also featured the release of various technologies and publications from the institute. The workshop was meticulously organized by Dr. Ajit Singh Mahla, Dr. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Rajni Chaudhary, and Dr. Pallavi Chauhan, under the leadership of Dr. R. Pourouchottamane, Head of the station, and the guidance of Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar. The organization of the event was also supported by institute scientists Dr. S.S. Dangi, Dr. L.R. Gurjar, and Dr. Arvind Soni, along with the Chief Administrative Officer, Sh. I.B. Kumar.

This workshop marked a significant step towards advancing livestock management practices in the Northern Temperate States of India, promising better productivity and efficiency in the sheep farming sector.