The Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries and Labour Minister, Punjab,Balbir Singh Sidhu has called upon the farmers of the state to go in for animal husbandry and other such allied occupations for raising their economic standard.Expressing these views today at Semen Bank Rupnagar and Fish Seed farm at village katli, the minister said that the government would provide subsidy to the farmers opting for animal husbandry occupation besides training the youth in this novel sector. He also divulged that the state government would also ensure facilities at Government hospitals on par with those at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and also make recruitments with regard to veterinary doctors as well as the other staff. He also said that the government would also go in for rationalisation.
About the government semen bank Rupnagar, the minister said that it is spread in 21 acres and semen of 100 jersey, H.F. Cross and Sahiwal breeds of bulls is produced here. He also divulged that from 1998 to 2018 it has produced 1,27,58,784 semen feeds. The semen produced here is of top quality and sent to state level semen distribution centre at Patiala after certification by the quality control.On visit to the fish seed farm at katli, the minister exhorted farming sector to opt for this unique occupation to augument the income. He also divulged that this farm produced 43.48 lakh fish seed during 2017-2018 which has covered 1766 acres area of the state. He also divulged that subsidy to the tune of Rs. 27, 95, 100 has been distributed to those from Rupnagar who are engaged in fisheries occupation .