Krishi Vigyan KendraRanga Reddy District of ICAR - CRIDA, Hyderabad organized a5-day skill development Programme onScientific Small Ruminant Production and Good Management Practices during 17-21 September 2026 under the Scheduled Caste (SC) Sub Plan – ICAR-CRIDA’s NICRA Project Funds. The programme was aimed at enhancing the technical knowledge and livelihood skills of SC farmers and rural youth through scientific management of livestock and allied enterprises.

During the inaugural function held on 17.09.2026, Dr. Chandrakant M.H., Senior Scientist cum Head of KVK, welcomed the gathering and briefed the mandated activities of KVK and the training programmes planned for SC farmers during the current year. The Chief Guest; Dr. J. V. N. S. Prasad, Project Coordinator, AICRPDA emphasized the importance of small ruminants, particularly sheep and goats, as an integral part of rural farming systems as they provide food, employment, manure, and a dependable source of income to millions of rural families. He also highlighted the importance of sustainable and climate-resilient livelihood opportunities among the SC farmers.

Dr. D. B. V. Ramana, OIC of GRF, who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour enlightened the importance of fodder crops and their role in animal nutrition, advising the goat and poultry farmers to utilize the benefits of KVK services for the well-being of the farming community. Dr.D.Sudheer, SMS (Veterinary Science)& Coordinator of the training programme, educated the farmers on imparting practical knowledge of goat farming, including herd management, nutrition, breeding, and sustainable chick-rearing practices.

The training focused primarily on sheep and goat production with emphasis on their potential as sustainable livelihood enterprises. The participants were provided practical and technical information on scientific housing, feeding & nutrition, breeding management, disease prevention & control, vaccination, deworming, biosecurity and general animal health care.

The 5-day training programme included exposure visits to P.V.N.Rao Telangana Veterinary College & University, and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Govt. of India, Hyderabad. During these visits, interactive lectures, practical demonstrations, discussions, and field-oriented sessions were held enabling the participants to understand and adopt improved livestock production and management practices.

The training also provided an opportunity to the farmers to visit various demonstration units and fodder café of KVK and Bhuvan Research Farm of ICAR-CRIDA. The 5-day training programmeconcluded with a valedictory function on 21.09.2026 where certificates for successful completion of the training were distributed to the participants / farmers.