Policy Dialogue Organized on Role of Livestock & Fisheries in Doubling Farmers’ Income

The ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna had organized a Policy Dialogue on “Role of Livestock & Fisheries in Doubling Farmers’ Income in Eastern India”.   

Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying stressed upon the production & use of earthworms as feed supplement for low input poultry production. The Minister also urged the Research Institutions for adopting the low input livestock production system and adding the value to the manure, cow urine and crop by-products through the technological intervention.

During an interaction with the scientists, Singh shared his experiences on the production of earthworms using cow dung and whey-water and Moringa leaves to improve milk yield if fed to cattle and buffaloes. The Minister opined that Moringa leaves can be utilized as organic fertilizer because of the presence of sufficient amount of nitrogen. Shri Singh also released a Training Manual “Conservation Agriculture for Climate Resilient Farming & Doubling Farmers’ Income” during the occasion.

The Minister monitored the field experiments being conducted at the ICAR-RCER, Patna. He also opined for large scale plantation of Moringa Trees in the campus and experimentation of fresh water prawn culture. Among the various fish species, he stressed on the popularization of indigenous fish, especially, Mangur in the eastern part of the country.

Dr. B.P. Bhatt, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna briefed about the Institute’s activities and achievements focusing on livestock and fisheries sector. Around 50 Scientists from ICAR-RCER, Patna and Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna participated in the programme.