The Livestock and Milking Competitions have proved as significant platform for rearers especially in bringing massive awareness amongst people in general and animal rearers in particular.Stating this here today Animal Husbandry Minister, Gulzar Singh Ranike said that in order to promote animal husbandry in the State, the Punjab Government has organised the district level livestock and milking competitions and general public had been successfully influenced by these human interest fairs besides raising numbers and demand of high quality breeds of animals in the State.Divulging more he said that in an era of competition, it is mandatory that the cattle farmers are professionally qualified and well acquainted with the hi-tech and innovative ideas brought up in the field of animal farming.
Laying out the importance of these cattle fairs, the Minister said that the government has chalked out an ambitious plan to encourage diversification, the dairy and animal farmers have been educated to take up this field as a lucrative trade as compared to traditional farming.In a major step taken by the state government to encourage youth towards animal husbandry, maximum subsidy of Rs. .20,000 has been announced on Milking Machines (double bucket), similarly maximum subsidy of Rs. 72,550 announced on Harvester (Tractor Operated), maximum subsidy of one lakh on Forge Cutter(Self Propelled), maximum subsidy of indigenous cows and maximum subsidy of 4 lakh on T.M.R. Wagon has been provided by the Punjab Dairy Development Board.Adding further he said that besides this, horses and dogs breeding have also been another attractive and lucrative business with the youth.
To make the youth aware about the modernised and scientific techniques, the Animal Husbandry department was also imparting vocational training in all districts of the state. The Minister also said that the state government was committed to provide all facilities and services relating to animal husbandry at the doorsteps of the animal farmers.He has directed the Veterinary doctors to ensure proper health care facilities to the animals and in order to prevent contagious diseases in animals, a three member committee of Veterinary. Doctors have also been constituted to make sure that all the cattle fairs were functioning disease free.