A five days specialized Goat farming training programme was organized by the Department of Veterinary and 
Animal Husbandry Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana concluded today with the motto- “Goat farming - The need of the hour for sustainable livelihood”. Dr. Rajesh Kasrija, Training Coordinator, informed that total 57 candidates from Punjab, Rajsathan and U.P. were enrolled for the training. Deliberations on nutritional and health management, effective first aid management, vaccination, deworming, breed improvement, value addition of milk and meat products, reproductive and seasonal management were made during the training. Trainees were imparted theoretical, as well as practical know how of goat farming. Trainees had hands on practice on recording basic vital parameters like rectal temperature, respiration rate and restrain of animals. They were trained to differentiate between healthy and diseased animals.
At valedictory session, trainees were facilitated with the participation certificates by Dr. H. K. Verma, Director of Extension Education, GADVASU. Dr. Verma said that diversification of livestock sector is moving at a very fast pace, wherein, the veterinary university is always working to improve the socio- economic status of the livestock owners by providing them with recent inputs. He advised farmers to apply the knowledge in the field, provided to them during training. He informed that Goat farming is a very profitable venture and is easy to manage for beginners. Dr M.P. Gupta, Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education apprised that veterinary varsity is organizing training programmes round the year for livestock farmers. He also informed that Punjab Goat farmers’ association is working effectively under the aegis of Veterinary University. A monthly meeting of this association is held on first Friday of every month in the University. Veterinary university also publishes books and magazines for livestock farmers in Punjabi, Hindi and English. Farmers can even get guidance from university experts at farmer helpline number 0161-2414005. Dr. G.S. Dhaliwal and Dr. Rajesh Kasrija were the course coordinators for the training.
