The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today giving a further push to the agriculture sector besides motivating the state peasantry to adopt allied farming announced to double the prize money for 7th National Live Stock Championship to the tune of Rs. 2.5 crore from 1.25 crore in next year.Presiding over the valedictory function of 6th National Livestock Championship here at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Mr. Badal praised the farmers for bringing livestock in the championship to prove their worth in such a tough competition on the basis of confidence and spirit shown by these farmers, Punjab Government has decided to double the prize money for next livestock championship. He said Punjab would be the first state to announce a policy to extend insurance for the livestock sector in the country and they would soon formulate a policy in this regard, which will provide immense benefits to cattle rearers. Lauding the role and efforts of cattle rearers for taking part in livestock championship, the Chief Minister said that it was the result of hard-work and day-night looking after to these cattle.
Stressing upon the need to adopt allied sectors in farming, Mr. Badal said that in the present scenario merely dependence on agriculture was not profitable rather the farm should adopt allied farming in terms of dairy, piggery, goatary to enhance their income substantially. He added the low margin due to stagnated MSP coupled with high cost of agriculture inputs have now compelled the farmers to go far live stock sector to improve their economic lot otherwise they would be vanished with the passage of time.Quoting the persification plan brought to fore by Punjab Government, the Chief Minister said organizing such livestock championship events was also an essential part of persification plan. He said farmers can adopt bee farming, piggery, goat farming etc since these were very profitable sectors having a huge market and demand in the society. He also informed that Punjab has formed various Special Development Boards vis-à-vis special informative directories for the facilitations of farmers interested in allied farming sectors. The CM also informed the gathering Animal Husbandry Department has a unique program to impart training and education to the farmers willing to jump in this sector.
pulging details of plan to increase women participation in dairy sector, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was being implemented this plan with dairy projects worth Rs. 27 lakh besides providing a subsidy of Rs. 11 lakh.Exhorting the farmers for healthy participation in the ensuing Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit to be held at Chapparchiri from February 16 to 19, Mr. Badal informed this first-of-its-own kind event in the country would witness agri-experts, agri-scientists, soil-scientists, established, developing and progressing farmers from across the country and foreign countries too. He said this initiative of Punjab Government would definitely prove a boon for state peasantry and they should do participate in the event to know the current equations of farming sector.Meanwhile, Animal Husbandry Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike thanked Chief Minister for his cooperation and guidance to organize such events. He also made a mention of achievements and steps being taken by Animal Husbandry Department in the interests of farmers.
Earlier Mr. Badal along Mr. Ranike distributed cash prizes of Rs. 1.25 crore to the winners of different events in livestock championship. Special horse and camel dance also enthralled the farmers and visitors. Prominent amongst those present included Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Member Parliament, Mr. Harpreet Singh, MLA Malout, Mr. Manjit Singh Barkandi SAD District President, Mr. Kanwarjit Singh Rozi Barkandi,Youth Akali leader, Jathedar Dyal Singh Kollianwali, SGPC Member, Dr. G. Vajralingam FCR Animal Husbandry and Dr. H.S. Sandha, Director Animal Husbandry