Adopting a policy of far reaching effects, The Punjab Government would promote the animal of indigenous breeds like Sahiwal & Gir cows and Murrah & Nili Ravi buffalos, Beetal Goats and Kadaknath Chicken breed. It was disclosed by Balbir Singh Sidhu, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries while chairing a brief meeting with the representatives of Farmers’ Help Society, Dhira Patra.The Minister said that the global warming has rendered catastrophic effects on agriculture as the cultivable land under green fodder has been decreasing at alarming pace and there is acute shortage of quality milk. He said that in this scenario the demand for meat is rising fast. He said that due to the increase in demand of meat, the Punjab Government has decided to promote the indigenous breeds of animals instead of foreign breeds.Divulging the details he said that besides providing subsidy to set up dairy farms of indigenous breeds of cows and buffalos, poultry units of indigenous breeds of chicken like Kadaknath would be set up at the backyards of the farms. Likewise units to domesticate Beetal breed of goats would also be set up for landless farmers.
He said that the high quality semen of Sahiwal and Gir cows would be used to improve the breed of indigenous cows. At the same time the government would establish coordination with the successive farmers of countries like Brazil and Australia with the motive to improve the breed of indigenous milch animals. The Minister said that the landless farmers could fulfill their daily household requirements by domesticating goats, cows and chickens of indigenous breeds as their marketing is much easier than the foreign breeds.Mr. Sidhu also lauded the efforts of farmers’ help society, Dhira Patra, district Ferozpur for promoting organic farming. The Minister said that he has himself seen it during his visit at the society’s farm that they cultivate crops at zero input cost.Animal Husbandry Minister exhorted the farmer help society to generate awareness regarding the techniques of organic farming amongst other farmers of the state. He also directed the officers of the department to establish such type of groups in other areas of the state. Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Dr. G. Vajralingam, Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Director Animal Husbandry, Mr. Inderjeet Singh, Director Dairy Development and Dr. Madan Mohan, Director Fisheries.