“It is a pride moment indeed for the whole of the state as the Punjab has bagged the coveted National ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission Best Performance State Award. This award has been conferred upon the state for its remarkable development in animal husbandry sector.’’ It was disclosed by Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Minister Punjab in a press communiqué released here today.The Minister said that he has received this prestigious award from Union Agricultural Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh on behalf of the state. He said that the congress Government under the visionary leadership of Captain Amrinder Singh has been constantly making strides further in the development of piggery, goatery, poultry and livestock. He said that the training sessions are being run for the unemployed youth to enable them to opt for these subsidiary occupations besides farming. He said that a comprehensive proposal based on the holistic development of animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Research, Breed Development of the Livestock has been forwarded to the Union Government for approval.
He said that this proposal also included the infrastructural development under which setting up of separate stations for the animals at Sri Amritsar Sahib, upgradition of semen bank Nabha and establishment of regional disease diagnostic lab at Jalandhar on similar lines with high tech Lab of Bhopal.The Minister added that the Union Government also felicitated progressive cattle farmer Bibi Surjit Kaur of Village Sandhu Chattha, District Kapurthala. Giving details about the ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission”, He said that this project has been commenced with the cost of Rs. 6 crores. He said that in order to promote the cattle farming in the state, around 28,848 Sahiwal cows have been administered the free of cost A.I. so far. He further said that free Area Specific Mineral Mixture, Dewormer and 25 percent subsidy on cattle feed were being provided to the cattle farmer, who domesticate the Sahiwal breed of cows.On this occasion, Dr. G. Vajralingam Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and fisheries and Dr. Amarjit Singh, Director Animal Husbandry, Punjab were also present.