Srinagar | Aug, 04: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) conducted a series of awareness and free veterinary clinical camps in Tulail, Bagtore and Dawar villages of Gurez Valley under the DBT-sponsored project, “Socio-economic Upliftment of Marginal Farmers of Gurez Valley through Scientific Livestock Rearing.”
The initiative, led by the faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, aimed to improve livestock health and promote scientific animal husbandry practices in the remote region, where access to specialised veterinary services remains limited. Farmers were sensitised on disease prevention, timely treatment, nutrition, fodder management, vaccination, deworming, hygienic animal care and improved livestock management practices.
The outreach was led by Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry; Prof. AmatulMuhee, Professor & Head, Clinics and Principal Investigator of the project; Dr. Shahid Hussain Dar, Associate Professor, along with the project team. The scientists conducted health screening and clinical examination of livestock, provided free veterinary consultations and advised farmers on preventive healthcare and disease management.
As part of the intervention, free veterinary medicines and nutritional supplements, including deworming medicines, liver tonics and mineral mixtures, were distributed to livestock owners. Informative pamphlets on scientific cattle, sheep and goat rearing were also provided to help farmers adopt improved husbandry practices.
The awareness camps offered farmers an interactive platform to discuss challenges related to livestock nutrition, fodder conservation, breeding, housing, disease control and herd health. Scientists also highlighted the importance of value addition, efficient resource utilisation and market-oriented livestock production to improve incomes under the high-altitude conditions of Gurez Valley.
The team noted that interactions with farmers generated valuable field-level feedback on livestock health and management challenges, which will help shape future interventions under the project. The scientists reaffirmed SKUAST-K’s commitment to farmer-centric research, extension and technology transfer, stating that continued technical support, awareness programmes, training and veterinary health interventions will be provided to strengthen sustainable livestock-based livelihoods in Gurez Valley.
