Minister for Backward and Minorities Welfare, Mohammed John on Sunday laid the foundation for the upgradation of the Bacterial Vaccine Development Unit at the Institute for Veterinary and Preventive Medicine (IVPM) in Ranipet.
According to director of IVPM Dr V Prabhakaran, the State funding, processed through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation was towards the upgradation of the building and equipment facilities, as per the Good Manufacturing Standards for the manufacture of animal vaccines. Collector P Sankar presided over the function.
Research officer Dr Lancy Mammon, regional joint director of animal husbandry Dr G Kamalanathan, and Ranipet municipal chairperson Chitra Santhosham were among those present on the occasion.
Farmers’ Fests
The objective of conducting farmers’ festivals in the State was to triple the agricultural yield, Minister for Backward and Minorities Welfare, said Mohammed John, while inaugurating the first ‘Uzhavar Peruvizha’ at Poondi village, in Wallajah taluk on Sunday.
He said, the festival, being conducted in 842 villages in the district till May 20 would help farmers interact with experts, share their experiences, learn new technologies and learn to use latest farm implements.
This year, the State government had set a target of 112 lakh tonnes production and the farmers’ festivals would help achieve the target, he added.
Mohammed John said the proposals for the allotment of 15 green houses, 18 houses under Indira Awas Yojana, a cement road at a cost of
`5 lakh, a sanitary complex for women at a cost of `1.8 lakh, integrated drinking water supply at a cost of `1 crore, besides the upgradation of high schools into higher secondary schools, for Poondi village had been forwarded to the State government.
He also said the tank at Poondi village would be desilted at a cost of `60 lakh. Mohammed John also distributed manuals on farming techniques and farm inputs to as many as 15 farmers on the occasion.
Collector Sankar presided over the function.