Srinagar: Directorate of Extension, SKUAST-K today organized an inaugural of a three weeks training programme for young females of the valley to be trained as Pashu Sakhis under Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP). The programme organized under the supervision of Director Extension Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi was inaugurated by Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, HVC of two farm varisties and was also attended by Prof. S. A. Wani Director Research, Professor Rohitas Kumar, Associate Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering; Mr. Ashok Kumar, GM, NABARD (online mode) and officials/Officers as Master Trainers from Animal Husbandry department besides scientists from the Directorate of Extension.
Inaugurating the programme, Prof. N. A. Ganai, HVC emphasized upon the importance of livestock sector in the livelihood of farming community particularly small and marginal farmers. He spoke on the digital revolution taking place in agriculture and allied sectors and how these Pashu Sakhis have to contribute to this evolution after attaining the necessary skills and knowledge from this programme. While referring to the recently approved Union Territory level policy for Holistic evelopment of Agriculture sector, Prof. Ganai informed that in the next four to five years more than two lakhs youths will be given skill trainings in different aspects related to agriculture and allied sectors. Prof. Ganai also had a visit of the archives gallery set up at Directorate of Extension depicting different activities of the Directorate in pictures.
Director Extension, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi while deliberating on the said event through a power point presentation told that 76 young girls in the age group of 18-45 years from across different districts of the valley and selected through a rigorous process will undergo skill training in different aspects of livestock health and management. The residential training programme will focus on both theory as well as practical classes. The classes will focus on hands on training to
these Pashu Sakhis on different aspects of livestock management like feeding, rearing, breeding, housing, first aid, artificial insemination, disease management and various other aspects related to livestock management. Prof. Makhdoomi also told that this programme will overcome the shortage of veterinary extension professional and strengthen the veterinary extension services in the region.
He also called upon these trainees to bridge the gap between the veterinary extension services and the farming communities. Earlier, Dr. Farhanaz Rasool Dy. Director Training gave an overview of the different skill training initiatives and programmes being conducted by the Directorate. On this Occasion, an exhibit displaying different value added products from walnut and millets was also arranged in view of the International Year of Millets 2023.
