GUWAHATI, Nov 3 - �Poultry farming, if taken in right earnest, can ensure livelihood to all and unleash nutritional and economic security especially in the rural areas,� said Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit in the inaugural function of XXXIII Annual Conference of the Indian Poultry Science Association at the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara here today, said an official press release.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that vocation in poultry is an important economic activity and if taken in right earnest, poultry has the potential of creating employment avenues in rural areas and can revamp rural economy. He also said that besides providing employment avenues, this sector has an important contribution towards providing nutritional security of a vast segment of the country�s population.
The Governor also thanked Vice Chancellor Dr KM Bujarbaruah and his team for organizing the IPSACON 2016. He lauded the scientists and universities of the country for their efforts in huge production of wheat which are being exported outside the country. He also underlined the importance of soil testing before plantation of crops and advocated for suitable land for sowing right kind of seeds. Scientific methods should be used for growing of crops, he said.
He asked the Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University to impart practical training to the students and send them to the fields to share their expertise with the farmers for good production of crops and to increase productivity of poultry farming.
The Governor also asked the gathering to bring transparency in professional and personal life, he called upon the delegates to practice highest degree of professionalism to bring in revolution in poultry sector.
Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Atul Bora while speaking on the occasion said that the theme �Rural Poultry for livelihood, Nutritional and Economic Security� fits well in poultry production scenario in Assam. He called upon the poultry scientists assembled on the occasion, to take initiative for the development of region specific growth and production technologies for rural poultry so that their productivity and availability increases manifold.
The Minister also hailed the efforts of Assam Agricultural University for developing and releasing a poultry variety named �Kamrupa� with higher egg and meat quality while retaining the local colour and flavor. The variety has also received overwhelming response from the growers.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agriculture University Dr KM Bujarbaruah in his welcome address apprised the gathering that India has done remarkably well in the poultry sector. From a mere 1.8 billion eggs in 1950-51, the country produces today 69 billion eggs a whooping 32 times increase in egg production.
In the function, the Governor handed over the Life Time Achievement award to Dr R Prabhakaran for his contribution to poultry farm research. The Entrepreneurship awards were conferred on Chandan Sengupta, Dr Ajit Kumar Bhagawati and Dr Upendra Pathak for their outstanding contribution to poultry production through years. Indian Poultry Science Association fellow awards were given to Dr Srikant Viswas Rao Deshmukh and Dr Prabhat Kumar Mandal.
