The PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana conducted a five-day vocational training course on “Poultry Farming” in which 36 farmers of district Sangrur participated.

During the inaugural session, Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Training), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur extended a warm welcome to the participants and shared the importance and economics of poultry farming as a subsidiary occupation alongwith agriculture. He also briefed them about various other vocational training courses and extension activities being conducted by this Kendra and persuaded them to adopt subsidiary occupations in order to generate additional income and employment for their families.

Dr Ajay Singh, Assistant Professor (Animal Science) and coordinator of this training course, acquainted the trainees with the uses of various poultry farming techniques. He delivered lectures on history of poultry farming, breeds of poultry, nutritional and feed management, housing management, water management, etc. Besides, he provided information on various aspects of poultry farming including the selection of hatchery and chicks, care and management of day-old chicks, broiler and layer birds, selection of site, housing and water management, feed preparation, vaccination schedule and record keeping, etc.

On the first day after registration, welcome address and a pre-knowledge test was administered to check the knowledge level of trainees about poultry farming.

Dr Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Veterinary Officer, delivered a lecture on important diseases and their preventive measures.

The information regarding subsidy and financial assistance schemes of leading banks was shared by Sh Nishan Sharma, Assistant Manager and Sh Jagdish Kalra, Financial Literacy Councillor, Lead Bank, Sangrur.

Mrs Amandeep Kaur and Mrs Napinder Kaur, Fishery Officer, Sangrur delivered lectures on integrated fish farming with poultry farming and government schemes related to fish farming.

An exposure visit was also conducted at the village Kanoi and Tungan to show poultry farms established by progressive farmers Sardar Karamjit Singh Brar and Sardar Sewak Singh Bhullar, respectively. Later, literature on Poultry Farming was provided to the trainees.
A WhatsApp group was also formed to share the latest knowledge regarding poultry and animal husbandry. Overall, the participants expressed good interest and gave positive feedback regarding poultry farming training.