Department of Animal Nutrition, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Science University, Ludhiana conducted a three-day training course on Animal Feed Manufacturing from 22nd to 24th February 2022. According to Dr Udeybir Chahal, Head Department of Animal Nutrition; 20 entrepreneurs from Malerkotala District participated in this event. This training was conducted in collaboration with Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC) under Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprise (PMFME) Scheme implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Dr Parminder Singh, Principal Scientist and the course coordinator; revealed that in this course various techniques of feed manufacturing were discussed viz. Purchase and storage of feed ingredients, Ration formulation for different categories of the animals, Importance of bypass fat and protein for ruminants, Manufacturing of uromin lick and mineral mixture, Presence of pesticides and aflatoxins in feed ingredients, Importance of feed additives, Automation in feed manufacturing, The laws governing compounded feed etc. Dr Mahesh Kumar, Head Department of Food Processing and Engineering PAU showed different models of machinery related to feed manufacturing. He highlighted the advantages of uniform size and mixing of feed. He explained the edge of pellet feeds compared to mash feed especially for young animals. Mr. Rajnish Tuli, GM Punjab Agro discussed the salient features of PMFME scheme and told the participants that in next three years 7000 entrepreneurs are to be trained under this scheme and sum of Rs 300 crores are to be distributed among beneficiaries with upper cap of 35% subsidy. Dr Parkash Singh Brar, Director Extension Education; advised the cattle feed entrepreneurs to make good quality and balanced feed so that quality milk can be produced. He asked the feed millers to prescribe the GADVASU literature so that farmers get latest information when they come for feed manufacturing at their premises.
