BackSeven Days Training cum Exposure Visit of teaching faculty of KVAFSU on “Recent Advances in Sheep/Rabbit Production & Wool Utilization” to SRRC, Mannavanur from 2nd July to 8th July 2018.

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First time, in the fifty three years history of SRRC, Mannavanur, a team of eleven teaching faculty from two colleges of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University namely, Veterinary college, Shivamogga (7 staff) & Veterinary college, Hassan (4 staff) undergone seven days Training cum Exposure Visit on “Recent Advances in Sheep/Rabbit Production & Wool Utilization” from 2nd July to 8th July 2018. The programme was sponsored by SCSP-TSP, Govt of Karnataka. Dr. A.K. Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, encouraged /motivated the staff of SRRC, and accorded on-spot permission for organizing this sponsored training programme. The Course Director Dr.S.M.K.Thirumaran, Scientist welcomed the delegates and briefed about the outline of the program. Dr.A.S.Rajendiran, Officer In-charge, SRRC, Mannavanur has briefly explained importance of Small Ruminant/Rabbit Production in livelihood of rural masses and detailed the various technologies developed by ICAR-CSWRI. Dr.R.S. Bhatt, Principal Scientist, the Chief Guest for the inaugural session highlighted the role of ICAR-CSWRI in catering the needs of sheep and rabbit farmers of our country. The seven days programme included orientation lectures on sheep breeds of India & their unique characteristics, selection and breeding, conservation strategies and techniques, abiotic stress and its management in sheep production, grading of wool Quality Parameters, biotechnological tools in small ruminant production, transfer of technology related to sheep/rabbit and field visit to livestock farms in southern districts (Dindigul, Madurai, Tuticurin, Ramnad and Kanyakumari). During the programme, KVAFSU faculty were also exposed to the experiences of external experts, Dr.R.S.Bhatt, Principal Scientist from ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar, Dr.S.Sivaseelan, Professor & Head, Pulikulam Cattle Research centre, Maanamadurai, Dr.A.K.Tiruvenkandan, Professor & Head, Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, Dr.S.Sendur Kumaran, Professor & Head, KVK, Kundrakudi, about Advances in Nutritional Technologies to improve mutton production, Recent Trends in Small Ruminant Diseases and Their Control Measures, emerging animal health issue & preventive strategies and Sheep husbandry in India: Challanges, opportunities and strengths, Fodder production and its management practices, respectively. Dr.N.K.Sudeepkumar, Director, Extension Education, TANUVAS, Chennai was the chief guest during the valedictory function held at Veterinary University training and diagnostic centre, an unit of TANUVAS at Madurai and delivered a lecture on Efficient extension systems for sheep/rabbit husbandry. The group also visited the adopted villages and interacted with the farmers of southern districts of Tamil Nadu; had first hand information about various sheep breeds and their managemental practices being followed in their respective home tracts. The field visit was co-ordinated by Dr.P.Thirumurugan, Sr. Scientist and Dr.G.Nagarajan, Sr. Scientist. All the delegates actively participated and had given positive feedback stating that staff of KVAFSU would be undergoing similar kind of training at SRRC, Mannavanur in the future.