News & Announcements

Productivity, Soil fertility, one health and Animal welfare are the pillars of Sustainable farming: Says GII experts

                                   In the changing environment crop livestock based mixed farming, productivity and animal welfare are the major thrust areas of sustainable farming across the World ; Says experts from Global innovation initiative partner Universities. As part of Global Innovation Initiative (GII) Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University organized an International Workshop on ‘Sustainable livestock systems’ at Kochi, Kerala India, from 19th to 20th August 2015. Vice Chancellor KVASU Dr.B.Ashok inaugurated the workshop and delivered keynote address. VC suggested that immediate challenge is to improve production and productivity. By 2050 in tune with the population growth 40 % increase in production of food grains and animal protein sources are required. Vice Chancellor of Kerala University for Fisheries and Oceanographic Studies Dr. Madhusoodana Kurup suggested that integrated farming systems need to be popularized as part of sustainable farming operations. Professor Michel Lee of University of Bristol, UK during his speech suggested that India has more potential in subsistence farming since more than 90 percent of the production is under small holder systems. Animal welfare, soil fertility, quality of fodder, pasture management and one health are the major pillars of sustainable development. Registrar of KVASU Dr.Joseph Mathew during his presidential address suggested for validation of farming systems in tune with the nutritional requirement. Director of Entrepreneurship Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan during his introductory speech suggested that in order to meet the food security and nutritional security needs of the growing population, commodity based self help groups and farmers clusters need to be promoted in the country. KVASU’s publications highlighting activities in the areas of Entrepreneurship, One Health and Compendium were released during the Workshop. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is partnering with University of Bristol (UK; UoB), University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA; UWM), Kansas State University (USA: KSU) and Zhejiang University (China; ZU). Delegates visited Livestock Research Station; Thiruvazhamkunnu, Palakkad on 18th August 2015 which is identified as the Future farm for sustainable development. Dr.Kumar Venkat Narayanan of University of Connecticut presented a paper on one health and emerging zoonoses like salmonellosis and Campylobacter. Around 60 delegates across the World participated in the International workshop. The sessions were on Sustainable farming Systems, pasture management, fodder management practices, precision nutrition farming, mitigation of green house gases, animal adaptation, knowledge dissemination and one health. Vice Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University Dr.P.Rajendran and Director of Academics & Research Dr.K.Devada addressed the delegates during the valedictory session.