Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University celebrated its Foundation Day 2017 at Velu Mahal, Dindigul at 4:30 PM on 10.11.2017. Thiru. Dindigul C. Sreenivasan, Hon’ble Minister for Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu presided over the function, released the new varieties, Nandanam B3 Japanese Quail and TANUVAS Aseel desi chicken, distributed best farmer awards and inputs to the needy farmers and delivered the presidential address. In his presidential address the Hon’ble Minister enlisted the various stalls put up in the exhibition and brought to lime light the information provided by each stall and appreciated the efforts taken to make the exhibition more informative.
The Hon’ble Minister also lauded the efforts taken by the veterinarians in increasing the livestock progeny and their productivity. Thiru. Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu graced the occasion, released the Farmers Technical Workshop manual, recognized the best farmers of TANUVAS, distributed the best college, best outreach centre and best Farm Station awards, appreciation certificates to the faculty members and students who have received awards from external agencies and delivered the Foundation Day 2017 address. In his Foundation address the Hon’ble Minister reminded about the various welfare schemes initiated by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to weed out poverty by promoting the distribution of priceless milch animals, goats and sheep to the poorest of the poor. The Hon’ble Minister pointed out that to save the precious lives of livestock which are the only means of sustenance for the poorest of the poor due to clinical emergencies, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu introduced Animal Mobile Medical Ambulances (AMMA) with exclusive toll free no. 1962 at a cost of Rs. 6.34 crores, which is a first of its kind initiative in our country. While narrating about the benefits achieved by the welfare schemes initiated by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted that milk and egg production have reached 75.65 litres and 1,668 crore nos., respectively this year. Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, VUTRC, Coimbatore and Mecheri Sheep Research Station received the best college, best outreach centre and the best farm station awards respectively. Dr. S. Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS in his Foundation Day Special Address said that the objective of celebrating the TANUVAS Foundation Day as Livestock and Poultry Farmers Day is to take the innovations to the farmers and also to honour the successful farmers benefitted by the activities carried out by the University. Dr. Paramasivam, V.P.B., MLA, Vedasandur Constituency in the introductory address requested the farmers to disseminate the knowledge gained to other farmers and appreciated the efforts taken by TANUVAS in organizing the event. Dr. T.G. Vinay, I.A.S., District Collector, Dindigul in his address said that TANUVAS has fulfilled the expectations of the farmers by providing technical expertise in the control of diseases and new innovations for profitable farming. Earlier, Dr. T.G. Harikrishnan, Registrar, TANUVAS delivered the welcome address and Dr. M. Thirunavukkarasu, Dean, VC&RI, Tirunelveli proposed the vote of thanks. An Exhibition cum Farmers Technical Workshop on the theme, “Popularizing innovative technologies of TANUVAS among livestock farmers” was arranged. Further, video lessons were also screened continuously during the exhibition. More than 5,000 farmers and 500 school students visited the exhibition and more than 2,000 farmers registered for the knowledge sharing sessions.
The National Academy for Agricultural Research and Management (NAARM), Hyderabad along with THE Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS organizing a four day training workshop on “Methodological framework for Farmer FIRST implementing organizations” at MVC from 10.10.2017 to 13.10.2017. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS inaugurated the programme. The experts from the Farmers First Project Management team of ICAR-NAARM, ICAR-NIAP, ICAR-IASRI & ICAR-DKMA participated and shared their expertize on impact analysis, project implementation, documentation of results, qualitative and quantitative impact assessment, Farmers First Portal and social media reporting. A field visit to the six village cluster of Tiruvallur District in which Farmer FIRST programme is being implemented by TANUVAS was arranged. A total of 35 Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators from 13 Farmers FIRST implementing institutes in the Southern States of our country participated. Dr. P. Venkatesan, Senior Scientist and PI of the project and Dr. B.S. Sontakki, Head, Extension Systems Management, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad coordinated the conduct of the programme.
The Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS in collaboration with the Institute of Road Transport (IRT), Taramani organized a three day training programme on “Defensive Driving Techniques” under ICAR Development Grant in 3 batches at IRT, Taramani between 19.08.2017 and 21.08.2017, 09.09.2017 and 11.09.2017 and 16.09.2017 and 18.09.2017. The major training areas include behavioural attitude and discipline, time management, evil effects of Alcohol, tobacco and drugs, vehicle and tyre maintenance, mileage improvement, First Aid, importance of golden hour, classification of accidents and collisions, accident prevention methods, correct driving methodology etc. Dr. S. Thilagar, Vice–Chancellor, TANUVAS participated in the valedictory sessions held on the last date of the training programmes, distributed the certificates to the participants and in his address insisted on having a positive attitude in the work and emphasized the importance of having a good knowledge on first aid techniques. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS participated in the inaugural sessions and valedictory sessions of the programmes and spoke. A total of 66 drivers of various units of TANUVAS attended.
The Directorate of Extension Education organized a two-day “Personality development programme” at MVC on 04.08.2017 and 05.08.2017. Dr. L. Gunaseelan, Dean, Faculty of Basic Sciences, TANUVAS inaugurated the programme and delivered the presidential address. Dr. S.N. Sivaselvam, Dean i/c, MVC felicitated. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Organizing Secretary and the Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS, explained about the theme of the programme and its relevance to the students. Earlier, Dr. Kalaiselvi, Assistant Professor welcomed the gathering and Dr. B. Jaya Varathan, Assistant Professor proposed the vote of thanks. A total of 96 students of 2015-16 batch of B.V.Sc. & A.H. registered and benefitted.
The “Sankalp se siddhi” programme in commemoration of 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement was organized at KVK, Kattupakkam on 24.08.2017. Tmt. Maragatham Kumaravel, MP, Kancheepuram Loksabha Constituency participated and administered the seven point pledge to the participants. Dr. S. Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS participated and delivered a special address focusing on the ways and means to double the farm income. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS highlighted about the various activities of the KVK. Officials from Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Revenue and Horticulture Departments participated and spoke. Apart from screening the film on “Kisan 2017” an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies in agriculture and allied subjects, products made by SHGs etc, was organized. A total of 750 farmers were benefitted. Similarly, KVK, Kundrakudi and KVK, Namakkal also organized “Sankalp se siddhi” programmes on 19.08.2017 and 29.08.2017 respectively benefitting 1200 farmers.
The twenty-eighth Extension Education Council Meeting of TANUVAS was conducted at VC&RI, Orathanadu on 28.03.2017. Dr. S. Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS chaired the meeting, released three easy-learning story based cartoon illustrated books entitled “The benefits of rearing desi birds”, “Profitable goat rearing” and “Alternate feed resources for livestock during summer and drought periods” and an audio CD on “Programmes on livestock rearing” and offered suggestions. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS and Member Secretary of Extension Education Council presented the minutes of the 27th Extension Education Council Meeting and work done particulars for the year 2016. Dr. M.J. Chandre Gowda, Principal Scientist (Agrl.Extn.), ATARI, ICAR, Zone VIII, Bengaluru the External Expert, nominated farmers and the members of the Extension Education Council including University Officers of TANUVAS and the Heads of the VUTRCs, KVKs and FTCs participated and offered their valuable suggestions. Earlier, Dr. N. Punniamurthy, Professor and Head, VUTRC, Thanjavur welcomed the gathering and the meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. K. Sivakumar, Associate Professor and Head, VUTRC, Coimbatore.
The Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS is implementing a project on “Improving the livelihood security of farmers through technological interventions in Tiruvalluvar District of Tamil Nadu” under the ‘Farmers First Programme’ of ICAR, New Delhi with a total outlay of Rs-95.34 lakhs. Dr. S. Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS launched the programme on 24.02.2017 at Koyambakkam, one of the six villages viz. Koyambakkam, Thanneerkulam, Bandyjavanur, Karayanmedu, Melkondaiyur and Kilampakkam of Tiruvallur Block of Tiruvallur District identified for the implementation of the project, by providing technical interventions which include desi birds, Japanese quails, TANUVAS Mineral Mixture, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, bio-fungicides, weedicides etc. to the farmers and addressed the gathering. While motivating the farmers towards achieving a two-fold increase in income through the project, the Vice-Chancellor in his address requested the farmers to provide the feedback in order to fine tune the various technological interventions. Dr. N.K. Sudeep Kumar, Principal Investigator and Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS detailed about the objectives of the project. Dr. T.J. Harikrishnan, Director of Research, TANUVAS and Thiru. Natanasabapathy, Manager, M/s Srinivasan Services Trust, Chennai participated and felicitated. Earlier, Dr. V.M. Snakaran, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, MVC welcomed the gathering and Thiru. K. Bakthavachalam, former President of Koyambakkam Panchayat proposed the vote of thanks. More than 500 farmers attended.
