Port Blair, Dec. 19: Group discussion on ‘Animal Science Research’ was organized by Animal Science Division on 17.12.2012 at CARI, Port Blair to prepare roadmap for implementation of Animal Science research priorities envisaged for XII Five Year Plan. The meeting was attended by eminent experts in the field of Animal Science from various parts of India: Dr. B.B. Mallick, Former Vice Chancellor, WBUAFS, & Director, IVRI, Izatnagar, Dr. S.P.S.Ahlawat, Former VC & Director, IVRI, Izatnagar, Dr. B.K. Joshi, Director, NBAGR, Dr. R.N.Chatterjee, Director, PDP, Hyderabad, Dr. M. Gajendragad, Director, PD, ADMAS, Bangaluru, Dr. Puniamurthy, Prof. & Head, UTRC, TANUVAS, Tamil Nadu, Dr. M.K. Tamuli, PS, NRC Pig, Guwahati, Mr. Rajendra Kumar, ANIIDCO, Mr.G. Athirstavel, General Manager NABARD, Port Blair, Dr. Ashok Gupta, SVO Dept. of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Heads of Division, CARI, Programme Coordinator & Subject Matter Specialists of KVK participated in the meeting.

Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CARI speaking on the occasion highlighted the status of Animal Science Research and vision envisaged for the XII Five Year Plan to improve the productivity of Island Livestock and Poultry for self-sufficiency. During the discussion.

Dr. A. Kundu, Head, Animal Science Division and Chairman, organizing committee presented the current status of Animal Science Research, technologies, package of practices, veterinary health care and diseases of zoonotic importance and proposed for future line of Animal Science Research and priorities of XII Five Year Plan.

Experts discussed various strategies on Conservation and genetic improvement of the precious indigenous germplasm  of Andaman and Nicobar Islands such as Nicobari fowl, Nicobari pig, Andaman local and Teresa goats, maximizing fodder availability to improve the milk production of these islands,  development of least cost feeding strategies to augment production of livestock and poultry, ethnoveterinary medicine practices, disease control strategies and post harvest processing of livestock and poultry produce. NABARD and ANIIDCO presented the existing field problems which were also discussed and researchable issues were assured to take up in a collaborative mode. Establishment of Bio-security measures and Quarantine facilities at A&N Islands was also discussed at length.

The Director, CARI, in his concluding remarks briefed the proposed strategies suggested by experts for its implementation to accomplish Animal Science Research Priorities for XII Five Year Plan. Dr.T.Sujatha, organizing secretary proposed vote of thanks.