The Animal Husbandry Minister, Punjab, Gulzar Singh Ranike has taken strict notice of the deaths of animals due to toxic green fodder in certain areas of the State. The Minister has ordered the constitution of a high powered committee to investigate the matter and to stem the advance of the problem at the very outset. The Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Director, Dairy Development, Vice Chancellor of GADVASU & Punjab Agricultural University and progressive animal rearers of the State have been included in the committee.
Ranike said that the committee would minutely examine the every technical aspect to put a stop to the toxic green fodder and also suggest measures for spreading awareness amongst the animal rearers. He also informed that the recommendations of the committee would be implemented in order to save the interests of the animal rearers. He also elaborated that if need be, and then stricter laws would be enacted so as to put an end to toxic green fodder.He appealed to the animal rearers to increase the use of indigenous urea to eradicate the toxic green fodder. The Minister also advised the animal keepers to always use the urea and other chemicals after consultation with and as per the recommendations of the Punjab Agriculture University. He also said that pesticides should also be used as per the suggestion of the experts.
Ranike divulged that in case of any doubt on the quality of the fodder, the animal rearers can get the samples of the fodder tested from veterinary polyclinic of the concerned district or from the North Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Jalandhar. It would be pertinent to mention here that the animal rearers can also contact the Agricultural Development Officer (food and fodder) of their respective blocks for any further information regarding the fodder.