In a bid to strengthen the livestock health services in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government is soon going to appoint 418 veterinary officers (VO) in the Animal Husbandry Department.
Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development S. Laljit Singh Bhullar disclosed this, while addressing livestock farmers during the state level awareness camp organized by the animal husbandry department under the National Livestock Mission at village Sangwan, district Tarn Taran district.
He said these VOs would soon be given appointment letters as their recruitment process is about to complete.The Cabinet Minister said that Mann government is committed to promote auxiliary agro-occupations to increase the income of farmers.
He also announced that the National Livestock Championship would be held in the state during the first week of April, asking officials to devise a plan for the smooth conduct of the championship.
The Cabinet Minister said, 1367 veterinary hospitals and 1489 animal dispensaries are operational in the state, in which 29.65 lakh animals have been treated. Beside this, 115.36 lakh animals were vaccinated for various diseases, while 14.23 lakh artificial insemination injections were administered to animals.
He expressed hope that during the year 2022-23, the state is expected to produce 14580 thousand tonnes of milk, which will be 3.45% more than the previous year 2021-22.
The Animal Husbandry Minister also visited the exhibitions of animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy department and held discussions with the livestock farmers besides honoring the progressive farmers and livestock farmers of the region.
He said, the animal husbandry department has procured 25 lakh doses of Goat Pox vaccine to protect 25 lakh cattle from Lumpy Skin Disease and teams are vaccinating cattle free of cost.He informed that 10 districts of the state were affected due to African Swine Fever, and about Rs.74 lakh have been released to 95 pig farmers in the state so far.
He also said that to promote goat rearing occupation in the state, a two-day goat rearing training is being conducted for farmers at Patiala and so far 500 farmers have been given the training.
The Cabinet Minister was accompanied by the Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Rampal Mittal, Director Dairy Development Mr. Kuldeep Singh Jassowal, Dr. Ranbir Sharma, Dr. Raj Kumar Deputy Director, Dr. GS Bedi and Dr. Parampal Singh and Dr. Karan Goyal from the head office Mohali.