Agartala, 8th October 2026 : The Tripura Sustainable Catchment Forest Management Project (SCATFORM), a JICA-assisted project implemented by the Forest Department, Government of Tripura, in collaboration with the Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD), Government of Tripura, organised a two-day capacity-building programme on scientific pig rearing, livestock health management and livestock insurance on 7–8 October 2026 at the Chakmaghat Beat Meeting Hall, Khowai.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Khowai DMU and Mungiakami RMU with the participation of Self-Help Group (SHG) members from Haludia, Chakmaghat and Atharamura areas. The initiative aimed to strengthen the technical knowledge of community members engaged in piggery activities and promote scientific livestock management practices for improved productivity, income generation and livelihood security.
Technical resource persons from the Animal Resources Development Department conducted sessions covering various aspects of scientific pig rearing and livestock health management. The training included scientific breeding and selection of suitable breeds, hygienic housing, nutrition and piglet care, biosecurity measures, disease prevention and early identification of symptoms.
The participants were also oriented on vaccination practices, vaccine storage and handling, maintenance of health records and other essential livestock management practices. Special emphasis was placed on preventive healthcare and adoption of improved management practices at the household and community level.
A dedicated session was also conducted on livestock insurance, covering animal identification and tagging, documentation, enrolment procedures, premium-related requirements and the process for submission of claims in the event of livestock loss.
As part of the second day of the programme, a field-level livestock health and insurance camp was conducted for participating SHG members. Veterinary personnel provided necessary vaccination and health-related services and facilitated the enrolment of eligible animals under livestock insurance.
SHG members from groups including Enhui, Twiphang Bodol, Hamjakma Bodol, Salka Bodol, Aichuk and Krishnamani Bodol participated in the field activities. The initiative is expected to strengthen preventive livestock healthcare and provide greater financial protection to households dependent on piggery as a livelihood activity.
The programme reflects the continued efforts of the Tripura JICA Project to strengthen livelihood interventions through convergence with relevant line departments and technical institutions. The collaboration with ARDD enabled the participating community members to receive technical guidance and veterinary services directly at the field level.
The programme was conducted with the guidance of Smt. Banumathi B., IFS, Chief Executive Officer & Project Director, Tripura JICA Project, and with technical support from Dr. N. K. Chanchal, IFS, Director, Animal Resources Development Department.
The technical sessions and field-level activities were facilitated by Dr. Avishek Paul, Assistant Director, SDVH Teliamura, and Dr. Martina Debbarma, Veterinary Officer, BVH Mungiakami, along with the field teams of Khowai DMU and Mungiakami RMU.
The programme was coordinated at the field level by the Ashok Kumar, IFS, Khowai DMU Chief, Shri Dhiren Kalai, SDMU Chief, Teliamura, RMU Chief, Mungiakami, Programme Managers, Field Facilitators, Livelihood Coordinators and Community Organisers.
The initiative is part of the Tripura JICA Project’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities through capacity building, improved production practices and convergence with relevant government departments.
