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| Governor inaugurates 6th Biennial ANA conference at SKUAST | | |
R.S.PURA, SEPTEMBER 15 - Governor Lt. Gen (Retd.) S. K. Sinha today inaugurated 3-day 6th Biennial Animal Nutrition Association Conference (BANA) on ‘Strengthening Animal Nutrition Research for Food Security, Environment Protection and Poverty Alleviation’ at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at R. S. Pura here this morning.
About 300 delegates from various national institutes and universities across the country are participating in the Conference.
Addressing the scientists, General Sinha highlighted the contribution of scientists in shaping the destiny of mankind. He said veterinary sciences have immensely advanced over the years that has, inter allia, given fillip to milk production in a big way. He said that in spite of India’s position as highest milk producer, productivity per unit animal and availability per capita is much lower as compared to developed countries. He opined that feed and fodder is the major input in livestock production which plays pivotal role in increasing the productivity. Qualitative and quantitative deficiency of feed seems to be one of the major constrains responsible for poor livestock development in India including Jammu and Kashmir state, he said, adding that in order to increase production and making the fodder available round the year ‘we need to develop certain alternative cost effective methods for fodder conservation’. He called upon the scientists to explore this area for catering to the growing requirements of farming community.
The Governor said population explosion has put additional pressure on the land mass which has considerably affected the cultivation and reduced pastures for grazing. ‘There is hardly any scope for increasing area under pasture/ fodder cultivation’ he observed and said that this aspect has also to be taken into consideration while planning strategies in this regard.
He urged the scientists to accept this challenge and come up to the expectations by suggesting ways and means for increasing the production of feed and fodder. He stated that Methane, which is produced by animals as a byproduct is hazardous to environment and it is through the strategic feeding we can avoid this. Therefore, some research is required in this field for which such conference would be of great help. He hoped that the deliberations in this conference would help the scientists to arrive at some consensus in preparing an action plan that would eventually help in faster development of animal husbandry which will bring cheer to the lives of farming community. He congratulated SKUAST for hosting such conferences on national level.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J Prof Naggendra Sharma said that livestock sector makes substantial contribution to the house hold security and risk management by providing income, quality food and assets. He emphasized that demand led expansion of this sector is associated with environment issues and therefore, requires attention of scientists and policy planners to balance productivity with environmental sustainability. He also outlines the new emerging challenges in science particularly in agriculture and veterinary sciences and hoped That scientists attending the conference would discuss the emerging problem related to animal nutrition and pave the way for revising our research programmes in accordance with the recommendations of various presentations by eminent scientists.
Prof. A. K. Srivastavam DRI and Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Scientists and Animal Husbandry in his welcome address said there is immense potential for increasing productivity of livestock in India. He emphasized that the main constraint faced by the farmers is shortage and inefficient utilization of feed resources. He said that nutrition is the major input in animal production and therefore it is highly imperative to strengthen animal nutrition research in areas outlines in the theme of this conference. He hoped that the conference would contribute largely to achieve our goal for enhancing rural prosperity. Animal scientists may need to rethink their approach to the sector and develop a new paradigm for poverty reduction through livestock, he added.
Dr. Kusumakar Sharma, the President of the Animal Nutrition Associationintroduced the theme of the conference and congratulated the organizers for arrangements and hospitality.
Earlier, Governor Lt. Gen (Retd.) S. K. Sinha also inaugurated the newly constructed girls hostel for postgraduate girl students. The hostel has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.10 crore.
Later, General Sinha released a ‘souvenir and a compendium on concept, abstract papers and balance sheet-cum-expenditure account books of the university and also distributed mementos to scholars and scientists. |
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