Agartala, Dec 17 (TIWN): ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre located in Lembucherra, West Tripura in collaboration with Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura (JUST) organized a farmers’ meeting and thereafter, distributed 1200 newly developed chicks to the farmers for backyard poultry farming on 16th December, Tuesday, 2014 at East Tokmakarik, Hazamara R. D. Block, Mohanpur, West Tripura. The Hon’ble MLA and Chairman, BAC, TTAADC, Hazamara R. D. Block, Mohanpur, West Tripura, Pranab Debbarma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

More than 150 farmers were present as beneficiaries in the event. At the outset, Dr. M. Datta, Joint Director, ICAR Tripura Centre welcomed all the dignitaries, scientists, farmers and organizers of JUST. He delineated the need and importance of backyard poultry farming in rural areas of Tripura. He also highlighted the achievements of ICAR, Tripura Centre on cultivation of paddy, lentil, maize etc in remote areas of Hazamara R. D. Block. Dr. M. Datta depicted the scopes of income generation from agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries resources in the light of applying improved technology and using of good quality planting materials, animals, poultry birds and fishes to strengthen capabilities of the farmers and enhancement of the profits by the farmers.
The chief guest, Pranab Debbarma,MLA, and Chairman, BAC, TTAADC, Hazamara R. D. Block, Mohanpur, West Tripura, highly praised ICAR, Tripura Centre for organizing such type of farmers’ involved programme in remote place like East Tokmakarik of West Tripura and supported the farmers with providing newly developed rural poultry birds.  MLA, Pranab Debbarma called upon the farmers to make farming community more productive and prosperous through new science and technological interventions. He emphasized the need for backyard farming with good quality livestock and poultry birds for augmenting production of milk, meat and eggs and ensuring food security in the state.

Dr. Avijit Haldar, Principal Scientist (Livestock Production) of ICAR, Tripura Centre narrated the significance of backyard poultry farming in rural economy. He informed how a new poultry bird variety had been brought after a long research on breeding among Tripura local bird, coloured broiler and Dahlem Red bird at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, West Tripura. These newly developed dual type (both for egg as well as meat purposes) poultry birds were given to the farmers for continuous evaluation of performance of these poultry birds under backyard system and taking strategies for further improvement. Dr. Vinay Singh, Scientist (Poultry Science) of ICAR, Tripura Centre talked about care and management of backyard poultry birds before the farmers’ gathering. Dr. Billo Debbarma, Assistant Director, Animal Resource Development Department, Govt. of Tripura, Hazamara R. D. Block, Mohanpur, West Tripur was present in the farmers’ meeting. He appreciated ICAR, Tripura Centre for organizing such programme to reach to the farmers and disseminate technologies to the farmers in such remote village. Dr. Billo Debbarma explained on disease preventive aspects in backyard poultry birds. Shri. Vincent Debbarma, Coordinator of Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura acknowledged the Joint Director and the whole ICAR team for providing different inputs to the farmers and also assured that the village people will extend full support and necessary cooperation in implementing the various activities of ICAR in the villages.

The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Shri. Vincent Debbarma. The whole programme was conducted by Shri. Bikram Debbarma, Technical Officer of ICAR, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, West Tripura.
In this programme, ICAR, Tripura Centre arranged one month old 1200 dual type poultry birds (developed at ICAR, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra), 1000 kg cattle feed to distribute among 150 farm men and women who rear poultry and cattle. The programme was sponsored by All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP), ICAR, GoI, Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The event created huge enthusiasm among the farmers and thus brought a great impact on farming community in the locality.