Empowering Tribal Communities: Duck Farming Input Distribution and Training Programs in Kandhamala, Odisha
Input distribution and training programs were conducted in various tribal villages across the Kandhamala district in Odisha from January 8 to 10, 2024, as part of the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) program by the Regional Station (RS), ICAR-DPR, Bhubaneswar. Input distribution program to tribal farmers of Alami village was held on 8th January 2024 and about 25 tribal farmers benefitted. Each beneficiary was provided with 20 ducklings and 20 kg of duck starter feed. Dr SK Patel, Chief District Veterinary Officer (Kandhamala) was the chief guest. Dr SK Bhanja, Head, RS, Dr A Dora, Deputy Director (Animal Health), Dr SK Sahoo, Principal Scientist and Dr MK Padhi, Pr. Scientist & Nodal officer, TSP graced the occasion and distributed the inputs and interacted with the farmers.
A training programme on backyard duck farming was organized at Timudibandha block on 9th January 2024. The program, led by Dr SK Bhanja, Dr SK Sahoo, Dr R Sahoo (Block Veterinary Officer - Timudibandha), Dr A Das (Block Veterinary Officer - Kotagada), and Dr MK Padhi, provided insights to 50 tribal farmers on various aspects of duck farming, including management, feeding, health care, and the profitability of duck farming. Farmers were also informed about the TSP program.
Input distribution program to tribal farmers of Timudibandha block was held on 10th January 2024 and about 25 tribal farmers benefitted. Each beneficiary was provided with 20 ducklings of 3-4 weeks old and 20 kg of duck starter feed. Dr SK Bhanja, Dr R Sahoo, Dr A Das, Dr SK Sahoo, and Dr MK Padhi graced the occasion, distributed inputs, and interacted with the farmers. The TSP team also visited Garbanda village to gather feedback and body weight data of ducks from tribal farmers who had received inputs under the program on 23 December 2023. The team noted positive growth of the birds. Dr MK Padhi, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, coordinated the program.
