Sri Vijaya Puram, January 13, 2026
Around 200 students of Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Garacharma undertook an educational exposure visit to the Dairy Training-Cum-Demonstration Farm (DTCDF) and the Government Central Hatchery, LFC, Dollygunj on January 7, 2026. The visit was facilitated by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services with the objective of providing practical exposure to scientific livestock and poultry management.
During the visit, the students were divided into groups and taken on guided tours of various units, including the cattle farm, goat unit, piggery section, fodder section and the state-of-the-art hatchery facility. The students observed modern livestock management practices such as animal housing systems, breeding methods, feeding regimes, health management protocols, and the complete process of egg incubation, hatching and chick rearing.
Veterinary officers and technical staff briefed the students on key aspects of scientific livestock and poultry farming. The sessions covered topics such as balanced ration formulation, clean milk production techniques, breed improvement through artificial insemination, regular vaccination and deworming schedules, bio-security measures, waste utilisation through composting, incubator operations, temperature and humidity control, and the role of hatcheries in supplying quality chicks and ducklings to farmers across the islands.
The students showed keen interest and curiosity, actively interacting with the officials and raising questions related to animal nutrition, disease prevention, hatchability improvement and career opportunities in veterinary science and animal husbandry. Many students were particularly fascinated by the automated incubation systems and the sight of newly hatched chicks.
Accompanying teachers appreciated the Department for organizing such hands-on learning experiences, stating that they effectively complement classroom education and help generate interest in agriculture and allied sectors among students.
Officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services stated that such exposure visits play a vital role in creating awareness among the younger generation about sustainable and scientific livestock rearing practices suitable for island conditions, while also encouraging them to explore career options in animal husbandry and veterinary sciences. The Department informed that more schools are scheduled to visit the DTCDF, Dollygunj and the Central Hatchery in the coming months as part of its ongoing educational outreach programme.
