Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 June 2025
In a significant step toward empowering animal husbandry farmers and enhancing livestock productivity in the Union Territory, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services recently facilitated an inter-state exposure visit for 25 progressive farmers from various parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As part of this initiative, the selected farmers were taken to the ICAR–National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati, where they underwent advanced training in scientific pig rearing practices. This hands-on learning experience aimed to equip farmers—especially those from remote areas of the Islands—with modern techniques and knowledge crucial for sustainable and profitable pig farming.
During the training, experts conducted technical sessions covering vital aspects such as creeper management, disease control, biosecurity measures, artificial insemination, breeding, nutrition, waste management, feed optimization, and market-driven farming approaches. The interactive nature of the sessions allowed participants to engage directly with specialists, helping them better understand contemporary practices and market dynamics in piggery.
Participants from Pulopanja and Makachua in Nicobar District, as well as from Chouldari in South Andaman; Rangat, Billiground, and Diglipur in North and Middle Andaman, took part in the training. Inspired by witnessing successful animal husbandry models, many farmers expressed their resolve to implement the newly acquired techniques in their own farms.
Calling the program an “eye-opener,” the farmers expressed deep gratitude to the Department for organizing the exposure visit, which they believe will significantly enhance their farming outcomes and contribute to the development of animal husbandry in the region.