This week, around 40 farmers in the Central Division were trained on the Basics of Small Ruminant Husbandry Practices and Management.

The trainings were held consecutively in Korovou, Tailevu and Navua and were attended by progressive sheep and goat farmers.

According to Director for Animal Health and Production, Avinesh Dayal, the training aimed to upskill farmer’s knowledge on the basics of sheep and goat husbandry, production and management practices which will help to improve and manage the current practices in terms of performance and productivity on farms.

“After the training, farmers should be able to confidently execute everything that they learnt into the daily activities in the farm with regards to the care and management of their animals,” said Mr Dayal.

The training will also enhance production of the quality and quantity of sheep and goat carcasses for the local markets, consumers and the hotels which will in turn improve the productivity and profitability of the sheep and goat industry.

“I am sure that given time, these farmers will be able to establish farms to supply prime quality breeding animals for the districts and new farms.”

The training covered topics such as the history of small ruminants in Fiji, breeding and selection, heritability, selection criteria, stock management, mating the flock, lambing management, the management calendar, nutrition, pastures, protein, supplementation, animal health, worms in small ruminant, the parasite life cycle, herbals, drenching and many more.

Through the two trainings, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways aims to keep farmers informed, skilled and updated on sheep and goat husbandry and management, raise their farm productivity and performance.

The trainings included the Locality Livestock Officers (LLO) for the respective stations.

-ENDS-

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