SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has commenced a 15-day intensive capacity-building program for veterinary officers hailing from Ladakh. The training initiative is designed to equip these officers with advanced knowledge in artificial intelligence and modern digital livestock management techniques, tailored for the unique challenges of the Himalayan region.
The Chenab Times has learned that the program, titled “Future-Ready Livestock Farming,” is being conducted by the Division of Livestock Production and Management (LPM) at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama campus of SKUAST-K.
Inaugurating the specialized training, Professor Riaz Ahmad Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at SKUAST-K, underscored the critical importance of continuous professional development for veterinary officers operating in geographically diverse and often arduous terrains like Ladakh. He emphasized that reinforcing the technical competencies of field veterinarians is paramount for the effective translation of cutting-edge veterinary science and emerging technologies into tangible benefits for livestock farmers across the region.
Professor Hilal Musadiq Khan, Head of the Division of LPM, elucidated the program’s objectives, stating that it aims to furnish field-level veterinary officers with contemporary scientific insights and practical methodologies to enhance livestock productivity, bolster animal health, and ultimately improve the livelihoods of farming communities. The curriculum is structured to cover a comprehensive range of topics, including scientific and integrated livestock production systems, animal health management, reproductive technologies, genetics, nutrition, and disease diagnostics. Furthermore, the training delves into newer, transformative areas such as the application of artificial intelligence and digital systems in livestock management.
The training program also incorporates hands-on, field-oriented practical exposure to state-of-the-art livestock technologies and management strategies. A significant focus is placed on strategies to augment productivity and animal health, while concurrently fortifying the resilience of livestock-dependent livelihoods against the backdrop of challenging agro-climatic conditions prevalent in Ladakh.
The inaugural session was meticulously coordinated by Dr. Henna Hamadani, an Assistant Professor at SKUAST-K. Several distinguished faculty members from the LPM Division, including Professor M.T. Banday and Professor Islam Udin Sheikh, engaged with the participating veterinary officers. Also present at the session were Dr. I.A. Baba, Dr. R.A. Pattoo, and Dr. S. Adil, further lending their expertise and support to the initiative.
This capacity-building program aligns with SKUAST-K’s overarching commitment to fostering human resource development and promoting technology-driven livestock systems. The university aims to advance these systems not only within the Himalayan region but also in other areas characterized by demanding agro-climatic environments, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and rural economic development.
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