The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the host state Punjab, organized a “Regional Training on 21st Livestock Census Software (Mobile & Web Application/Dashboard) and Breeds” for State and District Nodal Officers (SNO/DNO) from Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. This workshop took place today in Amritsar, Punjab, aiming to equip these officers with the necessary skills to conduct the 21st Livestock Census scheduled for September-December 2024.
The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy Development, Government of Punjab. Also in attendance were Shri Jagat Hazarika, Advisor (Statistics), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. B P Mishra, Director of ICAR-NBAGR, Shri V.P Singh, Director of AHS, DAHD, and Dr. Gursharan Singh Bedi, Director of AHD, Government of Punjab.
The inauguration began with the national anthem and ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by addresses from the dignitaries, setting the stage for collaborative training efforts.
Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian emphasized the need for thorough training and capacity building at the grassroots level, highlighting the significance of the livestock sector to India’s economy and food security. He called for meticulous planning and execution of the census, noting that the collected data would be essential for future initiatives and tackling sector challenges.
Smt. Alka Upadhyaya extended her best wishes virtually, sharing insights on the livestock sector’s impact on the Indian economy and India’s global trade position.
Shri Jagat Hazarika stressed the importance of the workshop, highlighting the department’s commitment to using technology for precise and efficient data collection. He underscored the collective responsibility of stakeholders to ensure the census’s success, which will shape future policies and programs in the Animal Husbandry sector.
Dr. Gursharan Singh Bedi focused on integrating sustainable practices within the livestock sector. He highlighted the significance of data analysis for formulating future departmental policies, creating new schemes, and generating employment in animal husbandry. He also mentioned Punjab’s adoption of best practices in milk production and the financial empowerment of farmers through livestock. Additionally, he discussed the latest technologies, such as sex-sorted semen, developed by DAHD.
The workshop featured sessions on the 21st Livestock Census, including a detailed presentation by Dr. B P Mishra and his team from ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on breed details. The importance of accurate breed identification for precise statistics used in livestock sector programs and the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was emphasized.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri V.P. Singh, Director of the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division at DAHD, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries and stakeholders and hoping for the successful execution of the census.
