As part of persification plan Punjab Government would lay emphasis on piggery and goatery, as there was ready market for pork and mutton in northern states especially, national capital region (N.C.R).This was disclosed by Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development minister Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur here today while presiding over a meeting of Deputy Directors of animal husbandry department. Mr Phillaur said that the prospective farmers would be given training by the department of animal husbandry in the vocation opted by them and helped to get loans from banks at subsidized rates. He averred that agriculture production had already reached its plateau and there was no further scope of increase in growth rate of this sector. But growth rate in animal husbandry sector could be achievable to the tune of 6-8% by laying greater focus, whereas growth rate in crop production was only 2% presently.The animal husbandry minister also ordered that Veterinary Polyclinics at district level and Sub pisional hospitals would work in double shifts so as to provide quality veterinary services to livestock farmers round the clock.Mr Phillaur disclosed that for strengthening of Semen Bank Nabha and for progeny testing Murrah buffalo bull, a grant of Rs 32.88 Crore had been approved which would give paradigm lift to the cow & buffalo breed improvement programme of the department and thereby increased production of milk.The Minister also announced that National Livestock Championship, 2012 would be held at Mukatsar from 8 to 12 January, 2013, wherein the winning animal owners would be given prizes to the tune of Rs. 1.25 Cr.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Des Raj Dhugga, Chief Parliamentary Secretary urged the officers to work sincerely and diligently to implement the policies of Punjab Government at grass root level, so that rural economy could be uplifted.Mr Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Financial Commissioner assured that all hiccups in speedy disbursal of loans by banks for livestock farming would be removed so that unemployed youth could avail the best employment avenues available in this sector.
Earlier, Dr H S Sandha, Director, Animal Husbandry, Punjab gave a presentation enunciating an account of various activities being undertaken by the department.