NATIONAL TRAINING ON RODENT PEST MANAGEMENT CONCLUDES AT PAU

LUDHIANA, APRIL 22:



A national training programme on "Rodent Pest Management," jointly organized by the Department of Zoology of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad, concluded here today. The training, organized under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, saw the participation of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Officers, and the Soil Conservation Officers from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.



In his remarks, the Chief Guest, Dr R.S. Sidhu, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, observed that the problem of rodents is a matter of concern for the farmers. Awareness campaigns amongst the farming community about the effective rodent pest management are vital, he emphasized. Appreciating the training modules, Dr Sidhu said that this training will be of immense benefit to the participants, who play an important role in the transferring these farm technologies to the farmers at grass root level.







The Guest of Honour, Dr H. S. Sehgal, Additional Director of Communication, said that creating awakening about the rodent pest problems and their management is the need of the hour. Stressing upon a close interaction between the scientists and the users, Dr Sehgal suggested the experts of the Zoology Department to organize such trainings in future too.







Dr Srinivas Rao, Assistant Director, NIPHM, said, "We will help PAU and organize more farmer friendly trainings for safe food security." Discussing about various issues pertaining to rodent research, he imparted technical guidance on the preparation of proposals related to rodent management in endemic areas, and their mode of submission for funding by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.



Dr. G.K. Sangha, Course Director-cum-Head of Zoology Department, proposed the vote of thanks. The dignitaries distributed certificates to the participants.



Presenting the training report, Dr Neena Singla, Zoologist (Rodents) and Course Coordinator, said that the experts delivered lectures on different aspects of rodent pest management. The trainees visited Dhanasu, Khasi Kalan, Latala and Ghutani Kalan villages in Ludhiana district for rodent damage appraisal in poultry farm sheds, wheat crop fields, sugarcane and berseme crops, and at post-harvest stage, she added.



Earlier, Dr Devinder Kaur, Zoologist, PAU, welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
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