ICAR-NIANP Gives ₹10,500 Livestock Support Packages to ST Farmers in Chikkaballapur; 14 Tonnes of Cattle Feed Distributed
Chikkaballapur/Bengaluru, September 11: Scheduled Tribe livestock farmers in Chikkaballapur received support packages worth approximately ₹10,500 each as ICAR–National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (ICAR–NIANP), Bengaluru, combined livelihood assistance with scientific guidance on dairy farming under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) on Friday.
The Farmer–Scientist Interaction on Scientific Dairy Farming and Distribution of Livestock Support Packages was organised by ICAR–NIANP in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kolar and Chikkaballapur, at the Malikapura Milk Producers Cooperative Society in Malikapura village.
Around 100 livestock farmers and schoolchildren participated in the programme, which provided an opportunity for direct interaction with scientists and experts on livestock nutrition, scientific dairy farming, reproductive management, animal health and sustainable livestock production.
As part of the DAPST initiative, support packages worth approximately ₹10,500 per ST farmer were distributed. The packages included rubber mats, cattle feed, feed supplements, deworming tablets, technical literature and 20 Sesbania grandiflora saplings.
A total of 14 tonnes of cattle feed and 2,000 Sesbania grandiflora saplings were distributed during the programme with the objective of promoting balanced feeding and green fodder production. Study kits were also provided to 62 schoolchildren belonging to ST farming families.
Addressing the gathering, ICAR–NIANP Director Dr Artabandhu Sahoo said the programme was intended to take scientific knowledge and technologies developed by research institutions directly to livestock farmers and strengthen their capacity to improve productivity and farm income.
Sahoo said proper nutrition forms the foundation of healthy livestock production. An adequate supply of energy, protein, minerals and other essential nutrients is necessary to maintain animal health, growth, reproduction and milk production, he said.
He said farmers could improve livestock productivity by adopting scientific feeding practices, developing green fodder resources, providing balanced diets and following appropriate animal-health management practices.
Sahoo also highlighted ICAR–NIANP’s role in research and technology development in animal nutrition and physiology. The institute’s broader objective, he said, is to improve livestock productivity, health and efficiency through science-based approaches.
He said programmes such as DAPST provide an important mechanism for connecting research, technology and farmers at the field level, particularly among tribal communities. Such initiatives allow farmers to benefit from scientific knowledge as well as livelihood-support measures, he added.
Nagratna, Headmistress of Shri Maharashi Valmiki Ashrama School under the Tribal Welfare Department in Chintamani and the chief guest at the programme, explained various welfare schemes and programmes available through the Tribal Welfare Department for Scheduled Tribe communities.
She highlighted efforts by the department to improve the socio-economic conditions and livelihood opportunities of ST families, including assistance available to farmers and their families through different government welfare initiatives. She encouraged beneficiaries to make use of the schemes and facilities available through the department.
Dr N.K.S. Gowda, former Dean of Hebbal Veterinary College; Dr Vishwanath, Scientist (Agronomist), KVK Chintamani; Dr Krishnappa, Nodal Officer, DAPST; Dr Anand, Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Talagavara; and Shivanna Reddy, Head Master of Mallikapura School, also addressed the gathering and interacted with farmers on problems faced by them.
Experts provided guidance on balanced feeding, green fodder production, reproductive management, livestock health and sustainable dairy farming, allowing farmers to raise field-level issues directly with specialists.
The programme was coordinated by Dr Krishnappa Balaganur, Nodal Officer, DAPST, ICAR–NIANP, who also proposed the vote of thanks.
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