DG Appreciated SRRC as Potential Agri-ecotourism Centre

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR visited Southern Regional Research Centre (SRRC) of Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute,   at Mannavanur, Tamil Nadu on 11th May, 2013. He was accompanied by Dr. R. Prabakaran, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai and Dr. Muruganandam, Professor & Head, VUTRC, Madurai.  Recognizing the significant contributions made by the SRRC in the areas of sheep and broiler rabbits, the DG expressed his appreciation and felicitated staff of SRRC. He also assured all support to further strengthen the station and expressed that the station may also be projected as an agro-ecotourism centre to give more exposure and recognition.

Dr.A.S. Rajendiran, Officer-in-Charge of the Station presented an overview of the centre, its achievements and future plan. He informed that over the years the station has supplied about 20,000 breeding stock of broiler rabbits to various Government institutions in South India, established about 500 commercial rabbit farms, and also disseminated more than 2500 breedable Bharat Merino sheep (fine wool sheep) for upgrading of local breeds of sheep.

The dignitaries visited the laboratories, animal sheds and the serene natural pastures of the campus. An interactive session was organised with local farmers, progressive sheep and rabbit rearers, wherein, DG and Vice-chancellor addressed the gathering and assured to provide all kind of support from the University.  Mr.P. Seenivasan of Sattur in Virudhunagar district was awarded with Best Rabbit Farmer Award by DG.  Wheat seeds grown at the camps through a trial conducted by IARI, Regional Station at Wellington were distributed to the farmers.

Southern Regional Research Centre (SRRC) was established in 1965 at Mannavanur and has completed 47 years of its existence.

(Source: Animal Science Division, ICAR)