Director Animal Husbandry Department Jammu, Dr. Sagar D. Doifode, today flagged off second batch of 47 MAITRIs (Multipurpose AI Technicians In Rural India) for attending the three month long training programme at the Artificial Insemination Training Institute, Bhatinda (Punjab), here from Livestock Development Board Office complex Belicharana.Speaking on the occasion, the Director Animal Husbandry Jammu said that the MAITRIs are chosen among unemployed educated youth from across the districts of Jammu province to provide them self-employment avenues. The MAITRIs are established under National Programmme for Bovine Breeding component of ‘National Programmme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development’. The MAITRIS will be multipurpose workers as along with their primary function i.e. Artificial Insemination they will also take up other important associated tasks in the rural areas viz Veterinary first aid, Vaccinations, Data entry in National database, Milk recording, distribution of Fodder seeds, Livestock Insurance etcThe Director further said that after completion of the training programme, the MAITRIs would be provided all the necessary support in terms of various AI inputs as well as monetary assistance for undertaking assigned works by the Livestock Development Board Jammu.The Artificial Insemination work by MAITRIs in their allotted villages shall also go a long way in ensuring breed improvement of local cattle/buffaloes leading to increased milk production.While wishing them luck, the Director also cautioned the candidates to pay utmost attention towards their training programmme as it will help them in performing their duties more efficiently.The Chief Executive Officer Livestock Development Board Jammu, all the Joint Directors besides other senior officers and staff of the Animal Husbandry Department were also present on the occasion.