Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana conducted a two week training course on poultry farming. 35 farmers from different parts of Punjab including two women participated. Poultry farming is the most lucrative entrepreneurship in diversification of agriculture. Disclosing this, Dr Parminder Singh, Professor Veterinary Extension; the technical coordinator told that during the training farmers were taught about different aspects of rearing poultry. Depending upon land holding, the capital and marketing intelligence, one can venture into either layer farming meant for table egg production or for broiler production meant for meat production. Dr Kushpreet Singh and Dr Kulwinder Singh Asstt. Prof. Extension Education the course coordinators revealed that the farmers were taught about specific breeds and strains of the poultry stock, construction of modern sheds, hatchery management, prevention from heat and cold during environment stress, economical and balanced ration for different stages of the birds, making different products from egg and meat, their branding, vaccination in birds, post mortem examination, preparation of project reports for borrowing loans etc. The trainees were also taken to nearby commercial poultry farmers for interaction and encouragement.
Dr SK Kansal, Prof. cum Head Department of Extension Education informed that university conducts poultry traini
ng twice a year in the month of April and November as there is huge rush of trainees. He advised the farmers to adopt biosecurity measures, produce antibiotic free eggs and meat and also remain in touch with university experts. He informed the trainees that GADVASU publishes monthly magazine Vigyanik Pashu Palan and university also have special books on Poultry farming. Dr JPS Gill, Director of Research presided the valedictory function and asked the farmers to adopt poultry farming as subsidiary business because income from rice wheat rotation is static. He encouraged the farmers to share their problems with university experts so that prompt and economical solutions may be provided to them. He informed the farmers that university is collaborating with Skill Council of India where they can be enrolled for advance course in poultry farming.
