NARI conducts livestock feed training for New Guinea Islands region

East new Britain farmers participating in a training session on pig feeding systems at NARI Keravat

BY WANDAMU PALAU and SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Agriculture stakeholders in the New Guinea Islands region had hands-on training on feed development for smallholder livestock using locally available resources and research information.
The training, at National Agriculture Research Institute Keravat in East New Britain, was provided by the NARI livestock team from Lae from May 18-19.
Over 50 farmers, teachers, trainers, research and extension officers attended.
The two days of class presentations, discussions, information material sharing and practical demonstrations enhanced the attendants’ knowledge for further dissemination to other members of their communities.
Livestock research leader Dr Workneh Ayalew said the training was on improved poultry and pig feeding systems.
The poultry training was led by Janet Pandi of NARI Tambul with assistance from other members of the livestock team.
Similarly, the training on pig feeding systems was led by Michael Dom of NARI Labu, assisted by other members of the team.
Most of the trainees came from around Kerevat while provincial agriculture staff from Manus and West New Britain also attended.
Other participants were from the University of Natural Resources and Environment and the Organisation for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) with more representation from secondary schools like Utmei, Malabunga, George Brown and Warangoi.
Dr Ayalew said the general discussion after the training brought out specific needs for further training as well as some researchable issues.
Dr Workneh said provincial agriculture officers from Manus and WNB provinces expressed the need for similar trainings in their provinces and were advised in get in touch with NARI-Kerevat or Labu to follow this up further.
Training coordinator Gadi Ling of NARI Keravat said all provincial divisions of primary industry in New Guinea Islands were invited for this vital feed formulation training.
This is because the common regional problem that hampers livestock productivity is the expensive and intermittent availability of commercial feeds for piggery or poultry.
The specialised training showed how farmers can make effective use of the local feed resources to enhance livestock production.
Ling said that the training also aimed at showing NARI’s research on addressing livestock productivity and related feed issues.
The provincial network can then facilitate similar training to the wider community in the region.
The launching of NARI’s concentrate feed for broiler finisher feed chickens was very well received and appreciated by the participants.