On February 18th, 2025, an Animal Health Camp was organized at Mawsiatkhnam, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, by the Division of Technology Assessment and Capacity Building, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Umiam. The initiative aimed to address the veterinary healthcare needs of livestock and poultry while equipping local farmers with essential knowledge on disease prevention, nutrition, and sustainable livestock management. A team of experienced scientists and researchers led the camp, providing valuable veterinary services and guidance to the participating farmers.
        During the programme, Dr. Rahul Katiyar from the Division of Animal and Fisheries Science conducted insightful sessions on the importance of deworming and vaccination in maintaining the health and productivity of livestock and poultry. Farmers were educated on effective methods to prevent parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections through proper vaccination and deworming protocols. Special focus was given to vaccination strategies for pigs and poultry against common diseases such as Swine Fever, Ranikhet Disease, Fowl Pox, and Marek’s Disease, emphasizing their role in preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring animal well-being.
        A total of 17 farmers from Mawsiatkhnam village actively participated in the camp, gaining hands-on knowledge about balanced nutrition and supplementary feeding practices to improve livestock growth and productivity. Farmers received expert advice on the appropriate proportions of supplementary feed required for different livestock species to ensure optimal health and performance. Additionally, essential veterinary medicines and nutritional supplements were distributed, including oral calcium, multivitamins for poultry, deworming agent (Piperazine) for pigs, mineral mixture, and anti-diarrheal drug to support animal healthcare.
        The camp encouraged farmers to adopt regular deworming and vaccination schedules, reinforcing the long-term benefits of preventive healthcare in enhancing livestock productivity and disease resistance. The enthusiastic participation of the farmers demonstrated their keen interest in learning modern veterinary practices, and they expressed gratitude for the scientific knowledge and vital resources provided during the programme.
        By disseminating information on scientific livestock management and equipping farmers with necessary veterinary inputs, the initiative played a crucial role in empowering rural farmers with the tools and knowledge needed for sustainable livestock farming.
        Overall, the camp served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, fostering stronger collaboration between scientists and farmers for the collective benefit of Meghalaya’s agricultural community. The programme was successfully coordinated by a team of experts, including Dr. N. Uttam Singh (Senior Scientist and PI, FFP), Dr. Rahul Katiyar (Scientist and Co-PI), Dr. Tasvina R Borah (Senior Scientist and Co-PI), Dr. Gojendro Singh (Scientist and Co-PI), Dr. M. Bishonath Singh (SRF, FFP), and Mr. Wanbiang Dkhar (Project Assistant).