DoL

In an effort to strengthen the capacity of providing advanced Animal Nutrition laboratory analytical service in the country, the National Development Center for Animal Nutrition (NDCAN), Bumthang has recently completed the installation of an advanced Animal Nutrition laboratory equipment, supported by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) project.

The newly received major laboratory equipment sets include Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) with accessories. To build technical capacity for seamless operation of the advanced laboratory equipment, the two week long demonstration and hands on training is underway starting 18th March, 2024 at NDCAN, Bumthang. The Animal Nutrition Laboratory staff and focal persons from the Livestock Production Division, Department of Livestock are attending the training.

Strengthening capacity in advanced animal nutrition analytical services is essential for promoting animal health, enhancing production efficiency, optimizing costs, ensuring quality control, and fostering research and innovation in the field of animal nutrition. The use of these advanced analytical techniques provides accurate and precise measurements of various nutrients and contaminants in feed samples. This ensures that feed formulations are tailored to meet the specific nutritional requirements of animals. These analytical techniques can detect and quantify contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances in feed samples. This helps in ensuring feed safety and preventing potential health risks to animals.

Two weeks long demonstration and training are facilitated by a qualified Chemist & Service Engineer supported by Shimadzu company representative based in Nepal. With the completion of the training, the center is expected to cater advanced animal nutrition analytical test service and reduce the feed samples referral for similar tests outside the country which in turn will help in curtailing expenditure for availing advanced analytical service hereafter.

Reported by:

National Development Centre for Animal Nutrition

A refresher training program for Community-based Artificial Insemination Technicians (CAIT) is currently underway in Mongar, organized by the Regional Livestock Development Centre (RLDC), Kanglung. The training primarily aims to enhance the skills, update the knowledge, and familiarize participants with the latest advancements in cattle reproductive biotechnologies. The CAIT initiative aims to address the shortage of AI Technicians by engaging local communities, thereby ensuring uninterrupted AI services, enhancing cattle breed improvement, creating employment opportunities, and fostering sustainable livelihoods, particularly for school dropouts and educated farmers.

At present, there are 52 Artificial Insemination Centres (AIC) across six Eastern Dzongkhags, most of which are operated by a single AI Technician or technical staff. These personnel are responsible for various tasks including AI services, clinical care, field visits, feed and fodder development, as well as participation in official meetings, workshops, and training sessions, often resulting in interruptions to AI services.

The CAIT initiative was introduced by the National Dairy Development Centre (NDDC) under the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in 2010. Since its inception, RLDC Kanglung, with financial support from CARLEP and in collaboration with NDDC Yusipang and Eastern Dzongkhags, has trained and deployed 73 CAIT candidates in communities, with 43 actively working and employed in the field. This program aligns with the Department’s overarching goal of increasing milk production by intensifying dairy breed improvement nationwide.

Nine participants from three dzongkhags are currently undergoing the training program, which began on March 18th and will conclude on April 1st. The funding for this training is provided by the CARLEP project.

Reported by:

Regional Livestock Development Centre, Kanglung