Himachal Pradesh Hosts State-Level Training for 21st Livestock Census.
Shimla:
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh government, conducted a state-level training workshop for the 21st Livestock Census today in Shimla. The training focused on the use of newly launched mobile and web applications for the census, scheduled to take place from September to December 2024.
The workshop was inaugurated by Chander Kumar, Cabinet Minister for Agriculture & Animal Husbandry of Himachal Pradesh, alongside Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Key figures from the DAHD included V P Singh, Director of Animal Husbandry Statistics, and Dr. B P Mishra, Director of ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), among others.
In his opening address, Chander Kumar highlighted the workshop’s significance, stressing the role of technology in ensuring accurate and efficient data collection. He urged participants to utilize the latest tools to ensure the success of the census, which is vital for shaping future animal husbandry policies and programs.
Rakesh Kanwar emphasized the need for thorough training and capacity building at the grassroots level. He underscored the livestock sector’s importance to India’s economy and food security and called for careful planning and execution of the census to inform future initiatives and address sector challenges.
The workshop included sessions on the 21st Livestock Census methodologies and breed details, with presentations from Dr. B P Mishra and the ICAR-NBAGR team. Accurate breed identification was highlighted as crucial for generating precise statistics for livestock programs and the National Indicator Framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
V P Singh stressed the integration of sustainable practices within the livestock sector, noting that the census data will be instrumental in formulating future policies and creating employment opportunities for livestock farmers.
Pradeep Kumar discussed the adoption of best practices in milk production in Himachal Pradesh and the impact of livestock on farmer financial empowerment. He also highlighted new technologies, such as sex-sorted semen, developed by the DAHD.
The training concluded with a vote of thanks from the Joint Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Himachal Pradesh. The session wrapped up with an optimistic outlook on the successful execution of the census operation.
