In view of the recent occurrence of cyclone Biparjoy which has devastating effect on the livelihood of livestock farmers of coastal areas of Gujarat and to address the post-cyclonic health issues in livestock population, the ICAR-CCARI, Goa, in collaboration with KVK, ICAR-CAZRI, Bhuj, organised Cyclone Relief Animal Health Camp and Farmers Interaction Meet at Kukma and Adesar villages of Bhuj, district Kutch, Gujarat, on 13th and 14thJuly 2023 under SCSP fund.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Shirish D. Narnaware and Dr. Amiya Ranjan Sahu, veterinary scientists from ICAR-CCARI, Goa, along with Dr. Manish Kanwat, Principal Scientist & Head KVK, ICAR-CAZRI, Bhuj. In addition, H.M. Thacker, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry, Neeraj Kumar Singh, DDM NABARD, Mahesh Kumar, Lead Development Manager, Bank of Baroda and Dr. Ramniwas, Subject Matter Specialist from KVK Bhuj also participated in the programme and provided valuable guidance to the farmers.
During the cyclone relief camp, veterinary medicines such as wound ointment, fly and tick repellant spray, deworming tablets, antipyretic tablets, anti-inflammatory tablets, anti-diarrheal powder, mineral mixture, vitamin supplements, ointment for mastitis treatment and digestive powder were provided to the cyclone-affected livestock farmers for prevention and management of general livestock diseases.
The scientists of CCARI, Goa, Dr. Shirish D. Narnaware and Dr. Amiya Ranjan Sahu also interacted extensively with the farmers from the Kukma and Adesar villages of Bhuj and guided them on livestock disease prevention and health management.
Based on the observations and interactions, impact assessment and recommendations were made which can be incorporated in the post-cyclone strategies in the future for livestock farmers. During the animal health awareness programme, altogether 118 farmers including 90 SC farmers from Kukma and Adesar village participated. Veterinary medicines were distributed for total 765 livestock which included 403 cows, 285 buffaloes and 77 goats.
This cyclone relief programme organised by ICAR-CCARI Goa in collaboration with KVK, ICAR-CAZRI, Bhuj has marked the beginning of an effective linkage between the Institutes, local KVKs and the line departments for addressing any unforeseen calamities and also paved the way for exchange of technologies and expertise across the institutes for the betterment of the farmer community.
During the valedictory function, special thanks have been conferred to Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, Dr. O.P. Yadav, Director, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur and CAZRI KVK, Bhuj for their support to organise the Biparjoy cyclone relief animal health camp and farmers interaction meet programme successfully at Kutch district.
