Department of Sheep Husbandry, Baramulla today (20-11-2024) organised a “District-level Kissan Mela-cum-Livestock Show” at Kripalgarh Singhpora Pattan under the scheme “State Extension Program for Extension Reforms (ATMA)” component of centrally-sponsored scheme “Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SAME)”. Worthy Director, Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir (Chief Guest) and Joint Director Extension Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir (Guest of Honour) presided over the function. Dr Abdul Qayoom, Assistant Professor, FVSC, SKUAST-K, VAS Palhalan from Animal Husbandry, HDO Pattan, AD SBF Kralpathri and SDAO Pattan also participated in the function. The event was organised by Dr. Khalid Omer, VAS Khanpeth, under the guidance of District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Baramulla, Dr. Showkat Ahmad Ahanger. About 60 progressive sheep/ goat breeders from different Sheep Extension Centres of three Sheep Development Blocks of Khanpeth, Pattan and Tapper were invited with due representation to women and ST community. Experts of Sheep Husbandry Department and SKUAST-K delivered enlightening talks about different surgical affections in small ruminants and their management, winter management of livestock and different income-generating schemes available with the department. Officers of line departments including Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture etc. also gave awareness about the schemes available with them, more particularly under various projects of Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) besides installing stalls. Representate of Insurance Company enlightened the breeders about various benefits of insuring their animals, particularly in events of wild-attacks/ natural calamities. Stalls were also installed by various entrepreneurs/ start-ups to persuade breeders to adopt modern livestock rearing practices and equipment. Various officials from SDB Khanpeth, SDB Pattan and SDB Tapper with exceptional contributions towards their legitimate duties were awarded appreciation certificates. The program's centerpiece was the livestock show, where competitive rams, ewes, and goats were shown to the audience and then evaluated by a panel of judges. Awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to the owners of the best animals in each category. In the Ram category, the Best Ram Award, Best Ram runner-up first and second were given; in the Ewe category, the Best Ewe Award, Best Ewe runner-up first and second were given; and in the Doe category, the Best Doe Award was given. Tea, refreshment and lunch was served to all participants. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from VAS Khanpeth on behalf of DSHO Baramulla.