Media Release

Puttur, June 21: Directorate of extension, Karnataka Veterinary and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, extension education wing, College of Fisheries, Mangalore organized a daylong training programme on poultry farming at Panaje here, recently. The training programme was organized in collaboration with the district department of animal husbandry and Panaje Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Panaje.

Inaugurating the programme, Dr H Shivananda Murthy, director of extension, KVAFSU, Bidar called on the farmers to adapt the lucrative poultry farming. The university has developed an improved variety called Swarnadhara which yields 180-200 eggs per year besides producing high yield of meat. Likewise, Giriraja variety of UAS, Bangalore also holds great promise. In view of the successful contract farming in the state, farmers should take advantage of the assured returns with the help of College and Animal Husbandry Department, he emphasized.

Chief guests Ramesh Bhatt, director, SKADS and Dr K V Halagappa, deputy director of animal husbandry explained the different stages of poultry farming and stressed that there was great scope for the venture in the district.

Dayanand Adyar, president of Karnataka State Co-operative Poultry Farmers Union presided over the function and offered all help to the entrepreneurs. He assured the 64 enterprising farmers who attended the training programme of extending lower interest rate loans to the farmers. In view of the ban on cow slaughter in Karnataka, the demand for poultry meat has increased. The broiler price which used to cost Rs 50 per kilo few years ago is now commanding Rs 90 a kilo. Farmers should cash in on this changed scenario, he highlighted.

Four resource persons from the department of animal husbandry and veterinary varsity delivered the guest lectures on poultry farming, feed and disease management. A film show on modern techniques of poultry farming was also arranged on the occasion.

Farmers were taken for an exposure visit in the evening to a nearby successful poultry farm. Dr S M Shivaprakash, professor and head, extension education wing of College of Fisheries here welcomed the gathering and Mallesh, assistant professor delivered the vote of thanks.