Friday, 14 February, 2025 11:44 am
Golden Jubilee Celebrations of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry Breeding was held on 13th February 2025 at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research (ICAR-DPR), Hyderabad. The event marked the 50 years of dedicated efforts directed towards genetic improvement in poultry breeding and development of rural chicken varieties, with a focus on fostering self-reliance in the backyard poultry sector. It has also significantly contributed towards improving rural livelihoods and enhancing nutritional security in the country.
Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-DPR, welcomed the dignitaries and provided an overview of the history of AICRP on Poultry Breeding, highlighting its achievements in developing and improving elite layer and broiler lines, creating location-specific rural chicken varieties, and characterizing and conserving indigenous chicken breeds.
Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and congratulated the staff of AICRP on Poultry Breeding for their relentless efforts in advancing poultry research and development. He emphasized the project’s role in enhancing the productivity of rural chicken varieties, benefitting farmers across India.
Dr. G. K. Gaur, Assistant Director General (Animal Production and Breeding), ICAR and Dr. S. B. Barbuddhe, Director, ICAR-NMRI, Hyderabad graced the function as Guests of honour. The event was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including Dr. R. P. Sharma, Former Director, ICAR-DPR; Dr. H. K. Narula, Principal Scientist, ICAR and former in charges of centres.
On this occasion, two chicken varieties, Janapriya, a dual-purpose rural chicken variety, and Aslibro, an alternative variety for native chicken farming, were released by Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science).
Dr. U. Rajkumar, In charge AICRP on Poultry Breeding, presented the glimpses of history, achievements of AICRP and its contribution to the development of poultry sector in the country.
Farmers from Karnataka, Bihar, and Nagaland shared their feedback on the benefits of the chicken germplasm received from AICRP centres, highlighting its positive impact on backyard poultry farming in their regions.
Principal Investigators (PIs) of various AICRP Centres, former PIs, farmers, officials from PVNRTVU and State Animal Husbandry departments, staff members, and students actively participated in the celebrations, making the event a grand success.
The Annual Review Meeting of AICRP on Poultry Breeding 2023-24 followed the event.
https://icar.org.in/golden-jubilee-aicrp-poultry-breeding-celebrated
Monday, 10 February, 2025 5:29 pm
A short-term training program on “Applied Poultry Biotechnology: Bridging Theory and Practice” was organized at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research from 3-7 February 2025. The program was organized for Scheduled caste participants sponsored under the SCSP component of the ICAR-Network Project on Genome Editing Technology for improvement in livestock health and production. Ten participants belonging to five state veterinary colleges and Universities attended the training. Both theory and practical including hands-on training were imparted to the participants in the areas of Nucleic acid isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, characterization of protein, bioinformatics tools, GWAS, NGS, transcriptomics, transgenesis, and genome editing in chicken. Dr.R.N. Chatterjee, Director, appreciated the participants’ interest in learning new insights into Biotechnology and encouraged them to apply for extramural research grants to fund their research. The training program was organized by the Course Directors, Dr. K.S. Rajaravindra, Senior Scientist and Dr. L. Leslie Leo Prince, Principal Scientist of this Directorate.
ICAR Webnews: https://icar.org.in/short-term-training-programme-applied-poultry-biotechnology
Tuesday, 4 February, 2025 6:15 pm
The ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research (ICAR-DPR) is actively implementing the DAPSC programme across various villages in Tamil Nadu. As part of this initiative, on January 29, 2025, a team of scientists from the Directorate visited Pazhayanur village (Maduranthakam block) and Villipakkam village (Chittamur block) in Chengalpattu district, identifying 50 Scheduled Caste (SC) families in each village as beneficiaries. Similarly, on January 30, 2025, the team visited Keezaparuthikudi village (Komaratchi block) in Cuddalore district and selected 100 SC families under the scheme.
During the visits, beneficiaries were introduced to the DAPSC scheme of ICAR-DPR and the organization’s contributions to the development of improved backyard chicken varieties such as Vanaraja, Gramapriya, Srinidhi, etc. Scientific knowledge on backyard poultry rearing, brooding management, nutrition, and health care was shared to the beneficiaries. The adverse effects of protein and micronutrient deficiencies on the health, emphasizing the importance of consuming eggs and meat to enhance nutritional status and boost immunity were explained.
To ensure the safety of poultry from predators and harsh weather conditions, 200 night shelters were distributed to the identified families across the three villages. Dr. A. Kannan, Principle Scientist attended the programme in the villages of Chengalpattu district. Dr. M. Shanmugam, Principle Scientist coordinated the programme. The programme was attended by Panchayat representatives and office bearers of the three villages.
Monday, 20 January, 2025 11:36 am
ICAR-DPR organized an input distribution program under the DAPSC/SCSP program at Kondampet village, Kottapalle Mandal, Mancherial district, Telangana, on 16 January 2025. The event was held in collaboration with the Telangana State Animal Husbandry Department. Poultry night shelters (100 nos) were distributed to 100 Scheduled Caste (SC) families in the village. Dr. A. Kannan, Principal Scientist & Nodal Officer (DAPSC) highlighted the objectives of the DAPSC program, emphasizing its focus on improving the socio-economic status and nutritional security of SC families. He also emphasized the role of backyard poultry in promoting sustainable rural livelihoods. Dr. M. Shanmugam, Principal Scientist, elaborated on the significance of the distributed night shelters. He explained that these shelters are specifically designed to safeguard backyard poultry from predators and adverse weather conditions, thereby enhancing poultry survival and productivity. Dr. Aruna, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS), Kottapalle, expressed her gratitude to ICAR-DPR for supporting the SC families with night shelters. She encouraged the beneficiaries to adopt improved chicken varieties for better income generation. The beneficiaries expressed thanks to ICAR-DPR for the support and for imparting knowledge on scientific backyard poultry farming practices.
Friday, 10 January, 2025 5:08 pm
Distribution of night shelters to tribal farmers of Kalaburagi District, Karnataka
ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad organised input distribution program at College of Veterinary Science Bidar, Karnataka on 08/01/2025 under the Scheduled Tribe Component (DAPSTC/TSP) to strengthen the rural/ backyard chicken farming intending to improve the nutritional and socio-economic status of tribal farmers. A total of 50 tribal families from Nagaidlayi, Empalli Bandarwad, Hire Bennur, Khanadal, Kumasi villages of Chincholi Taluka were given the training on Backyard Poultry Production and given the poultry night shelters.
Dr K.C. Veeranna, Honourable Vice Chancellor, KVAFSU graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed the 50 night shelters to the tribal farmers. He stressed the importance of backyard chicken and how its rearing helps in up keeping of the nutritional status of tribal community. Similarly, on 09/01/2025 at KVK, Kalaburagi, a total of 50 tribal families from V.K Salagar, Muddadaga, Suntanur, Munnolli, Salegaon, Khandal, Nirgudi, Shiroor J, Khed Umaraga villages were given the training on Backyard Poultry Production and given the poultry night shelters. Dr. SS Paul, Head, Division of PNHP explained about the benefits of backyard chicken rearing in uplifting the nutritional status of women and children in villages. Dr B Prakash, Pr Scientist explained about the objective and implementation of the TSP program. Dr Santosh H, Pr Scientist explained the role of backyard poultry in sustainable rural livelihoods. Dr Kotresh Prasad, Asst. Professor, College of Veterinary Science at Bidar, Karnataka coordinated the programs. On both days, about 120 tribal farmers were present during the programme.
Tuesday, 7 January, 2025 3:46 pm
ICAR-DPR organized an input distribution program under DAPST/ Tribal Sub Plan program at Sariya village, G. Madugula mandal, Alluri Seetharama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with BCT-KVK, Visakhapatnam, on 4th January 2025. A total of 100 poultry night shelters were distributed to 100 tribal farmers, equally represented by 50 men and 50 women, from 15 villages. The participating villages included Krishnapalem, Goppulapalem, Pinakilthari, Nelametta, Sariya, Thokachilaka, Padamapuram, Bosupalli, Chintalalapadu, Bosupalli, Pedakilthari, Karyabanda, Gondimelaka, Junnula from Chintapalli and G Madugula mandals of Alluri Seethaaramaraaju District.
Dr.Shilaja, Program Coordinator, BCT-KVK welcomed the farmers and experts from DPR, Hyderabad and appreciated Directorate’s initiative in selecting Alluri Seetharama Raju district for implementing the TSP program. Dr. Vijaya Ragni, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), provided an overview of various activities undertaken by KVK to improve tribal livelihoods in the district. Dr. MVLN Raju, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-DPR, highlighted the importance of the distributed shelters. He explained that these shelters are designed to protect backyard poultry from predators, diseases, and harsh climatic conditions, significantly reducing mortality rates and enhancing poultry production
Dr. U. Rajkumar, Head, ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad, elaborated on the objectives of the TSP program and emphasized the role of backyard poultry in achieving sustainable improvement in rural livelihoods. He discussed the benefits of rearing improved chicken varieties in rural and tribal areas and commended the efforts of KVK staff in implementing the program in remote tribal villages. The farmers expressed their gratitude for being included in the TSP program and committed to adopting scientific methods of chicken rearing. Dr. L. Leslie Leo Prince, Pr scientist; Dr. B. Prakash Pr. Scientist & Nodal officer (TSP); Mr. G. Madhukar, Technical officer; Mr. M Bhargav, Adm Officer from ICAR-DPR and Dr B. Nagendra Prasad (SMS, Plant Protection) and other officials from BCT-KVK attended the program. The event marked a significant step toward empowering tribal communities and enhancing their livelihoods through sustainable poultry farming practices
Thursday, 2 January, 2025 5:04 pm
Hon’ble Member of NCST Visits ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research
Sri Jatothu Hussain Nayak, Hon’ble Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), visited the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, on 2nd January 2025, to review constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes. During his visit, Hon’ble Member interacted with staff members belonging to Scheduled Tribes and informed them on the commission’s objectives. The Institute’s Director, Dr R N Chatterjee, presented an overview of the Directorate’s activities and achievements, highlighting the impact of the DAPST/TSP Program in Adilabad, an aspirational district, and its contribution to improving tribal livelihoods. Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, the Hon’ble Member recommended expanding the number of beneficiaries under various outreach programs including DAPST. Appreciating the achievements and efforts of the Directorate, he assured full support for its development, particularly for initiatives benefiting Scheduled Tribe poultry farmers. The Hon’ble Member also visited the hatchery and experimental farm facilities of the Institute. The meeting was attended by scientists, administrative officers, and other senior officials
Monday, 9 December, 2024 6:33 am
The ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR), in collaboration with the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Utnoor, Adilabad, organized a one-day Research-Extension-Farmers Interface Meeting on 4th December 2024, at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Utnoor, Adilabad, Telangana. The meeting was attended by 136 backyard poultry farmers, predominantly women, along with officers from various line departments, extension officers, and other stakeholders. Farmers highlighted several challenges, including the unavailability of chicks, high feed costs, diseases such as fowl pox and cannibalism in adult birds, limited access to vaccines and veterinary support, lack of financial resources and space for proper poultry housing, predator attacks, and difficulties in marketing poultry products, especially eggs, at fair prices. Dr. M. R. Reddy, Principal Scientist, addressed health-related issues, while Dr. S. K. Bhanja, CTO, discussed management practices to tackle the challenges raised by the farmers. Dr. B. Prakash, Principal Scientist, emphasized the importance of nutrition and encouraged farmers to prepare poultry feed using locally available ingredients. Sri Sandeep Kumar, Horticulture Officer, suggested integrating poultry farming with moringa cultivation to enhance profitability. Sri Saianna, Project Director of DRDA, highlighted the role of social institutions in empowering women and promoting backyard poultry farming as a means of livelihood and nutritional security. The meeting was coordinated by Dr.Vijay Kumar, Senior Scientist, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. B. Prakash, ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad.
