Empowering Livestock Industry: A Recap of the Livestock Waste Valorization Programme in Ganderbal
In a bid to uplift the livestock sector in Ganderbal, an insightful one-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) titled “Livestock Waste Valorization: From Livestock By-products to Bio-Enterprises” was recently held at Theeru. This event, which took place on Friday, saw the active participation of youth, women, farmers, and unemployed individuals from the region, all eager to explore new opportunities in the field.
Organized by the prestigious Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) and sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt of India, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department and the Sheep Husbandry Department, the programme aimed to shed light on the employment and self-employment prospects within the livestock industry.
One of the key highlights of the training was the emphasis on the scientific utilization of livestock by-products and waste for income generation, following the concept of “waste-to-wealth” through sustainable and biotechnology-based approaches. Dr. Hina Fayaz Bhat, a Senior Assistant Professor from the Division of Animal Biotechnology at SKUAST-Kashmir, delivered insightful technical sessions, showcasing the vast potential of livestock waste valorization and the extraction of value-added products through biotechnological methods.
Furthermore, Dr. Rumase Ahmad Bhat and Dr. Syed Shabir, both Veterinary Assistant Surgeons associated with the Animal Husbandry Department, shared their expertise on sustainable livestock practices, waste management, and the plethora of entrepreneurship opportunities available in the sector.
The involvement of experts from the Sheep Husbandry Department, such as Dr. Yasmeena Nissar, added immense value to the programme. Their field-based insights provided a practical dimension to the discussions, offering participants a deeper understanding of the local livestock systems and the potential for growth and development.
