Palampur varsity offers 4-month dairy, poultry farming course for armed forces

A four-month certificate course of “Dairy, poultry farming and value-added dairy products” for JCOs and equivalent rank officers of the Indian armed forces commenced on Monday at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV) here at the seminar hall of the Directorate of Extension Education today.

The course, which will continue until July 25, is designed to equip defence personnel with specialised skills in dairy and poultry farming sectors, which are vital for India’s agricultural economy.

The inauguration ceremony was led by university Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Naveen Kumar. The VC welcomed participants from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, while stressing on the importance of the dairy sector in India’s economic growth. He highlighted the potential of value-added dairy products, which offered promising opportunities for entrepreneurship and rural development.

Col Debadas Nanda, guest of honour from the 39th Division of the Indian Army, expressed his appreciation to the CSKHPKV for initiating such training programme for defence personnel. He said skills acquired in this course could enable them pursue self-employment opportunities in dairy and poultry industries after completing their service in the armed forces.

Director of Extension Education Dr Vinod Kumar welcomed the chief guest. Addressing the participants he emphasised on the significance of such courses in enhancing skills of defence personnel. Other dignitaries present on the occasion, included Dean of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, statutory officers of university and heads of various departments in the college.

In all, 30 participants have enrolled in the course, which include 10 from the Army, eight from the Navy and 12 from the Indian Air Force. This collaboration between Palampur Agricultural University and the Indian Armed Forces through Director General of Resettlement (DGR) aims to provide valuable training in dairy and poultry farming, while offering defence personnel tools needed to thrive in these critical sectors and contribute to country’s rural development after completion of their service.