Report on New Poultry Specialist Appointment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Appointment Details and Professional Focus

Dr. Pramir Maharjan has been appointed as a poultry health and management specialist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and a research assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science. Based in Bryan-College Station, his professional duties integrate research and extension services.

• Area of Specialization: Poultry nutrition and drinking water quality management.
• Key Responsibilities: Direct engagement with commercial producers, AgriLife Extension County agents, and small-flock owners throughout Texas.
• Core Principle: Dr. Maharjan emphasizes that proper nutrition and water management are fundamental to poultry production, enabling birds to achieve their genetic potential and ensuring operational efficiency for producers.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dr. Maharjan’s appointment and research agenda are directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting a commitment to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: His work aims to enhance food security by improving the efficiency and health of poultry, a globally significant source of protein. By optimizing feed and water, his research contributes to a more stable and productive food supply.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The focus on poultry drinking water quality directly supports the principles of SDG 6 by applying water quality management to agricultural systems, which is crucial for animal health and production efficiency.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Dr. Maharjan’s goal is to support sustainable practices that benefit both poultry and producers. His research into feed ingredient evaluation and digestibility promotes resource efficiency, reduces waste, and advances sustainable production patterns within the poultry industry.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By focusing on poultry health and welfare, his work contributes to the production of safe and healthy food products for human consumption.
5. SDG 4: Quality Education: Through his Extension role, Dr. Maharjan will lead training and workshops to disseminate science-based management practices, providing quality education to producers and backyard flock owners to foster sustainable agriculture.

Research and Outreach Mandate

Dr. Maharjan’s role includes a specific mandate for applied research and educational outreach designed to advance sustainable poultry production.

• Applied Research Initiatives:
  • Conducting applied research on poultry drinking water quality.
  • Expanding work in feed ingredient evaluation to understand nutritional variabilities and digestibility values in chickens.
• Extension and Outreach Activities:
  • Leading training sessions and workshops for poultry producers and backyard flock owners.
  • Promoting the adoption of science-based, sustainable management practices across the Texas poultry industry.

Professional Background and Vision

Dr. Maharjan’s career is driven by a commitment to improving poultry health, welfare, and food security, aligning his professional vision with global sustainability targets.

• Previous Experience: Served as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University.
• Education:
  • Doctorate in Poultry Science, University of Arkansas.
  • Master’s degree in Poultry Science, University of Arkansas.
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nepal.
• Stated Goal: To serve the Texas poultry industry by supporting sustainable practices that create mutual benefits for animal welfare and producer viability, thereby contributing to a more resilient and secure food system.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article directly addresses this goal through its focus on “food security.” Dr. Maharjan’s commitment to improving poultry health and welfare is explicitly linked to his interest in food security, noting that “Poultry is a globally important source of protein.” His work aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of producing a key food source.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • This goal is connected through Dr. Maharjan’s specialization in “poultry nutrition and drinking water quality management.” His plan to conduct “poultry drinking water quality applied research” highlights the importance of managing water resources effectively within agricultural systems to ensure animal health and production efficiency.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article connects to this SDG through its emphasis on sustainable and efficient production methods. Dr. Maharjan’s goal is to “support sustainable practices,” and his research on “feed ingredient evaluation” and improving digestibility aims to reduce waste. The statement that if nutrition “is not done right, birds cannot reach their genetic potential and producers lose efficiency” points directly to reducing production losses.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • This goal is relevant because the article describes the application of scientific research to improve an industrial sector (the poultry industry). Dr. Maharjan’s role blends “research and Extension,” with the specific aim of helping producers “adopt science-based management practices” through “training and workshops,” thereby enhancing the industry’s technological and scientific capabilities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems
   • This target is directly supported by Dr. Maharjan’s stated goal to “support sustainable practices that benefit both birds and producers.” His research into nutrition and water quality is aimed at creating more resilient and efficient agricultural practices within the poultry industry.
2. Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors
   • Dr. Maharjan’s specialization in “drinking water quality management” and his planned “applied research” in this area contribute to this target. By optimizing water quality for poultry, his work can lead to more efficient water use and better health outcomes, reducing waste in the agricultural sector.
3. Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
   • This target is addressed through the focus on efficient feed utilization. Dr. Maharjan’s work on “feed ingredient evaluation to understand nutritional variabilities and digestibility values in chickens” is aimed at maximizing the use of feed, a critical natural resource in livestock production.
4. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities
   • The article exemplifies this target by describing how Texas A&M is hiring a specialist to conduct “applied research” and lead “training and workshops.” This effort directly translates scientific knowledge into practical applications for “commercial producers” and “small-flock owners,” upgrading the technological and management capabilities of the poultry industry.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Improved production efficiency
   • The article implies this indicator when it states, “If it’s not done right, birds cannot reach their genetic potential and producers lose efficiency.” Progress could be measured by tracking metrics like feed conversion ratios, bird growth rates, and reduced mortality, which are direct outcomes of improved nutrition and health management.
2. Adoption rate of science-based practices
   • This is implied by Dr. Maharjan’s responsibility to “lead training and workshops to help producers and backyard flock owners adopt science-based management practices.” A key indicator of success would be the number or percentage of producers who implement the recommended practices following these outreach efforts.
3. Metrics on water quality
   • The plan to conduct “poultry drinking water quality applied research” implies that specific parameters of water quality (e.g., mineral content, pH, microbial levels) will be measured. Improvements in these metrics within poultry operations would serve as a direct indicator of progress.
4. Improved feed digestibility values
   • This is a direct, measurable outcome of the planned research on “feed ingredient evaluation to understand nutritional variabilities and digestibility values in chickens.” An increase in these values would indicate more efficient use of feed resources.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: agrilifetoday.tamu.edu