With a view to improving the Genetic Potential of the Livestock through Scientific Breeding and to provide efficient and effective health cover to the Livestock of the State, the Punjab government has chalked out an extensive work plan across the state under National Dairy Plan. This was stated here today by Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab while addressing the 17thmeeting of the Punjab Live stock Development Board here today. The Minister said that under the National Dairy Plan-1, an amount of Rs. 32.86 crore would be spent on strengthening upgrading the Nabha and Ropar semen banks. He also said that34.25 Lac. Frozen Semen straws have been produced in these semen banks during the year 2010-11 as against the target of31.00 lacs and this semen straws production would be doubled by 2017, said the Minister. The Minister said that to the increase in milk production, the Minister said that adequate steps have been taken by the government to accelerate genetic progress, the proportion of milch animals bred through Artificial Insemination (AI) required to be raised substantially and to achieve this besides expanding the AI network, it was vital that the production of quality disease free semen doses of the required breeds in adequate number was ensured.
The Minister has also directed the officers of the department to ensure proper health cover to the animals in the state. For providing specialized multi-disciplinary services for diagnosis and treatment of complicated diseases of animals, well equipped Polyclinics were functioning. During the year under report, 51932 cases were treated by experts of these polyclinics. In addition 5053 minor operations and 1173 major operations were also performed. Beside this 870 X-ray were also taken by experts of these polyclinics.
In order to strengthen the existing veterinary facilities at sub pisional level veterinary hospitals, Senior Veterinary officers have been posted at sub pisional hospitals in addition to the existing posts of veterinary officers. Facilities of clinical tests like blood tests ,fecal tests and urine tests etc. has been made available at the sub pisional level hospitals. In order to provide veterinary aid facilities at door step of farmers, Mobile Veterinary units have been introduced by the Department. These mobile units have been set up at tehsil level and are making regular visits of villages to provide veterinary aid at the door step of the farmers.The meeting was attended by Mr. G.Vajralingam, Financial Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Director Animal husbandry and other senior officers of the department besides members of the Punjab Live stock Development Board.