A seven-day Training of Trainers programme on “Revitalizing Wool and Pelt industry in Jammu and Kashmir” was inaugurated on Tuesday at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir. The training programme is being organized by the Division of Livestock Products Technology, FVSc& AH in collaboration with the Division of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, FVSc& AH as a part of the project entitled “Promotion of Wool and Pelt for Effective Processing and Marketing under the banner of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme.
The objective of the programme is to enhance the skill of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons of Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir across Kashmir Valley on different facets of wool and pelt production, processing, entrepreneurship, promotion and marketing.
Prof. Shayaib A Kamil Dean FVSc & AH, SKUAST-Kashmir was the Chief Guest of the occasion while Prof. Sarfaraz A Wani, Ex-Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir was the Guest of Honour, accompanied by Dr. Imran Khaja, SDO Sheep Husbandry Dept. represented his Director and Dr. Asif H Sofi, Head Division of Livestock Products Technology on the stage at inaugural function held at Faculty Outreach Centre, at Shuhama campus of SKUAST-Kashmir. In his address, Prof. Shayaib highlighted the significance of the training programme for the overall development of wool and pelt industry in J&K. He also encouraged the participants to take the knowledge gained during the training programme to the field for the upliftment of the artisans associated
with woollen and associated sectors. Prof. Kamil also addressed to the need for development of quality Sheep breeds for production of better-quality wool and pelt in turn. Prof. Shayaib also acknowledged the contributions of parent organizing division especially in context to value addition that can have a great role in enhancement of livelihood security of people associated with wool sector.
Prof. Sarfaraz A Wani, one of the main architects of HADP project threw light of various challenges faced by farmers and other stakeholders of wool industry under current prevailing times. He emphasized about the need for implementing & adoption of various established scientific practices in wool sectors for augmenting the farmers’ income.
Prof. Wani hoped that the schemes being envisaged in the HADP with special reference to wool and pelt industry will go a long way in improving the farm situation in this part of world. Dr. Imran Khaja from department of Sheep Husbandry spoke about the various aspects of HADP programme and need for more collaborating efforts between University and the line departments for attainment of set goals under the said project.
Earlier, Dr. Asif H Sofi the Organizing Secretary of the event briefed the audience about the training programme. Dr. Sofi elaborated on the objectives of the training programme wherein the trainers shall be trained on various facets of wool and pelt processing, revival of the industry by embodying entrepreneurship, marketing and promotion aspects under a holistic umbrella. He apprised that the resource persons from multiple organizations including agri-business, agri-marketing, EDI, NABARD, SIDCO, Industries and commerce, IICT etc. shall deliver lectures during the programme.
The inaugural function was concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Abdul Hai, while Dr. Sheikh Rafeh Ahmad, Assistant Professor welcomed the dignitaries, guests and participants to the event.
