A report on skills and qualifications attended during industrial training at Livestock Experimental Station and Quarantine Centre- NAGRC&DB.

Abstract

INTERNSHIP as a course is carried out by students doing different courses in universities and institutes in various approved places within or outside. I carried out my Industrial training from 28th Feb to 22nd April 2022 at Livestock experimental station which is a government farm comprised of three mam enterprises i.e.; dairy, poultry, and piggery aimed at producing high quality milk, pork, eggs, chicken, good breeds of cattle and to make agriculture more profitable for the community. During internship we were orientated by Mr. Mugeni Isaac our field supervisor who showed us the various enterprises as stated above and sections like hatchery and brooding under poultry, milking, quarantined cattle, calves under diary. We were divided into two groups A and B where I personally belonged to a group A. I cooperatively and actively participated in the different activities carried out and gained skills and knowledge like deworming, tick control, chick vaccination, pasture management, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, record keeping etc. I was in position of getting practical knowledge and skills in line with my career which was part of my objectives. LES is a well-established farm in various aspects like farm structures, production and management in line with animal health and animal welfare. However, some challenges were faced like poor record keeping, diseases e.g., mastitis, dystocia, lameness of cattle which is sometimes due to tightly tying and beating of animals during milking which does not promote animal welfare. We also faced some challenges of accommodation where we had no provision of food and shelter. I therefore recommend for the employment of well-trained specialists who can hand e dystocia and other diseases and skilled personnel in milking, construction of hostels to accommodate intern students etc. The training also revealed that production and management in any enterprise are two different broad activities which must move hand in hand for any farm to get the expected profit or even more. Production and management require a lot of hard work, sacrifice, dedication and determination. I therefore conclude that more animal husbandry officers should be trained to guide and advise farmers who are facing hardships in production and management.