Artificial Insemination in Sheep & Main Forage Vegetation Available in Desert Ecosystem for Promotion of Sheep Husbandry

The Arid Region Campus (ARC) of ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Bikaner celebrated its 46^th foundation day with full zeal and fervour. 

The Chief Guest of the programme, Prof. (Dr.) Vishnu Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Rajuvas and SKRAU urged the sheep farmers for adopting a mixed farming system combining agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Dr Sharma underlined the valuable scientific information to double-up the sheep farmers’ income by adopting the scientific sheep husbandry management practices.   

The Special Guest of the occasion, Dr Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director-General (Animal Health), ICAR applauded the Institute’s role to upgrade the sheep breeds in the desert region and protect the sheep from diseases. Dr Kumar also outlined the scientific information about the sheep’s better health management. 

Dr Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar highlighted the usefulness of different sheep breeds. He also discussed the sheep’s scientific management for increasing the sheep’s productivity. Dr Tomar underlined sheep farming’s role to ensure a source of permanent income to the poor and marginal families. 

Dr P.L. Saroj, Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner provided the farmers with information about the various horticultural crops, such as pomegranate and plum. 

Dr H.K. Narula, Head, Arid Region Campus (ARC) ICAR-CSWRI, Bikaner highlighted the Institute’s contribution to the development of the arid region since the last 45 years. He also underlined the role of ARC Campus to disseminate the scientific technology to the farmers and enhance the livelihood status of sheep farmers in the arid region. 

Dr Gopal Lal, Director, ICAR-NSSR, Ajmer; Dr. R.K. Sawal, Director, ICAR-NRCC, Bikaner; Group Capt. K.S. Shekhawat, Executive Director, CWDB; Dr. S. Dahiya, Director, ICAR-CIRB, Hisar; Dr. N.V. Patil, Director, ICAR-CIRC, Meerut and Dr. Vineet Bhasin, Principal Scientist, ICAR were also present on the occasion. The dignitaries also visited the Magra, Chokla and Marwari Sheep Sectors. 

With an aim to protect the environment and create awareness among the public about the importance of forestation in desert eco-system, the plantation was carried out by the dignitaries on the Marwari Sheep Sector. 

One Farmers’ Diary for TSP beneficiaries and 2 Technical Folders entitled “Artificial insemination in sheep and the main forage vegetation available in the desert ecosystem for the promotion of sheep husbandry” were also released on the occasion. 

Around 230 farmers interacted with the scientists during the Farmers’-Scientists’ Meet held on the occasion.