A training program on “Enterprise Model for Commercial Backyard Poultry with Integration of Moringa Cultivation” was inaugurated at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research on 4th March 2024. The inaugural session was graced by Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, IAS, DG, NIRDPR and Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, Director, DPR. Dr. G Narendra Kumar IAS, DG, NIRDPR addressed the gathering and spoke about NIRDPR's role in creating Lakhpathi DiDis, which is a pioneer initiative of MoRD, GoI. He also stressed about importance of subsector backyard poultry and moringa in the diversification of income opportunities for SHGs.

Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Director - DPR, highlighted the role of backyard poultry in improving income opportunities for entrepreneurs and emphasized the prospects in the sector. He further stated that an integrated model of backyard poultry and moringa farming, developed by ICAR-DPR, is a profitable venture and suggested for the utilization of DPR's technical competencies for promoting integrated backyard poultry and moringa farming.

About 26 officials from six different states viz. Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, are participating in the training program scheduled from 4-8 March 2024. Participants will receive theoretical and practical training on various aspects of poultry, including nutrition, health, housing, management, waste management, integrated farming with Moringa and extension. The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Ch Radhika Rani, Director, NRLMRC, NIRDPR, along with resource scientists from DPR and staff of NRLMRC. This program is funded by NIRDPR and coordinated by the NRLMRC Team, Dr. R. K. Mahapatra, Pr. Scientist, and the Integrated Moringa Farming Team of DPR.