A team of veterinary experts led by Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, along with Dr. Solomon Rajkumar, Senior Scientist (Livestock Product Technology) and Head, Animal Science Section, ICAR-CCARI, and Dr. Sanjaykumar Vithalrao Udharwar, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), ICAR–KVK, CCARI, North Goa, participated in the Farmers’ Mela organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Goa, under the Sewa Pakhwada programme held at Hirabai Zantye Memorial Hall, Bicholim, Goa, on 24nd September, 2025. The programme was chaired by Shri Nilkanth Halarnkar, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, and was graced by Dr. Chandrakant Shetye, MLA, Bicholim Constituency, and Shri Premendra Shet, MLA, Mayem, as Guests of Honour. Dr. Veena S. Kumar, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, welcomed the dignitaries. During the event, Dr. Sanjaykumar V. Udharwar delivered an insightful lecture on ‘Scientific Feeding Management of Dairy Animals’, which was well-received by around 220 dairy farmers and stakeholders.
Following the programme, Dr. Parveen Kumar and the team visited the Sikeri Mayem Goushala, where they interacted with Shri Kamlakanth Tari, President of Gomanatak Gausevak Mahasangh. Dr. Parveen Kumar commended Shri Tari’s dedicated efforts towards the welfare of over 5,500 rescued stray cattle and his unwavering commitment to the conservation of indigenous cattle breeds across Goa. The team also toured various facilities at the Gaushala, including indigenous cattle sheds, a processing unit, a biogas plant, and other allied support structures. Dr. Parveen Kumar assured continued veterinary and technical support from ICAR-CCARI, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to the upliftment and sustainable conservation of native cattle breeds in the region.