Regional Training Workshop on 21st Livestock Census Software and Breeds Held in Goa

The workshop focused on the new mobile and web applications for the 21st Livestock Census, scheduled to take place from September to December 2024.

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the host state Goa, conducted a regional training workshop today in Panaji. The workshop focused on the new mobile and web applications for the 21st Livestock Census, scheduled to take place from September to December 2024. The training was aimed at State and District Nodal Officers (SNO/DNO) from Goa and Kerala.

The event was inaugurated by Minister of State for Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, alongside distinguished guests including Shri Jagat Hazarika, Advisor (Statistics), DAHD; Shri Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Goa; Dr. B.P. Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR; Shri V.P. Singh, Director, AHS, DAHD; and Dr. Nitin Naik, Director, AHD, Goa.

The workshop began with the national anthem and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by speeches from the dignitaries. Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel emphasized the importance of comprehensive training and the role of livestock in India's economy and food security. He called for meticulous planning and execution of the census, stressing that the collected data would be vital for shaping future policies and addressing sector challenges.

Shri Jagat Hazarika highlighted the workshop's role in leveraging technology for efficient data collection and urged all stakeholders to ensure the success of the census. He emphasized the collective responsibility in using the latest technologies to enhance the accuracy of the census data.

Shri Arun Kumar Mishra discussed the integration of sustainable practices within the livestock sector. He noted that the analysis of census data would guide future departmental policies, new schemes, and employment opportunities in animal husbandry.

Dr. Nitin Naik praised Goa's adoption of best practices in milk production and discussed how livestock contributes to farmers' financial empowerment. He also introduced innovative technologies like sex-sorted semen and welcomed delegates from all states.

Dr. B.P. Mishra stressed the importance of accurate breed-wise census data for effective management of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR). He urged Nodal Officers to ensure precise breed enumeration for the upcoming census, which is crucial for various livestock sector programs and the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The workshop included detailed sessions on the census methodologies and live demonstrations of the new software applications. The software team from DAHD provided training on using the mobile and web applications, which will be utilized by Nodal Officers to train enumerators at the district level.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Shri V.P. Singh, who expressed appreciation to all participants and stakeholders, and conveyed optimism for the successful execution of the 21st Livestock Census.