Punjab govt to start herd transformation initiative

LAHORE:The Punjab government is going to start the Herd Transformation Programme in the province in a phased manner. Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, in this connection, presided over a meeting in the Livestock Department on Monday.

Various proposals for the next Annual Development Programme, herd transformation strategy and gender semen for indigenous breeds were discussed and the progress of the Chief Minister’s Livestock Initiatives were reviewed in the meeting. Several proposals related to launching schemes under the Chief Minister’s Initiatives, one in PP mode and 13 other projects for the next financial year were considered in the meeting.

Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel, Additional Secretary Livestock Usman Tahir, Director Generals Extension, Production and Research (Livestock) also attended the meeting. Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on this occasion that the Punjab government will start the Herd Transformation Programme in 10 districts of the province in the next budget. There is a need that the price of sex semen should not be charged more from livestock farmers. Livestock farmers should also be rewarded with prizes on every birth of calf. He issued instructions to prepare a complete project design in this regard.

Ashiq Kirmani further endorsed that the aim of this programme is to increase breed improvement and production by controlling diseases. He also issued orders to ensure the supply of doses of sex semens in 10 districts in adequate quantity.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, several projects will be launched with a huge amount in the next Annual Development Programme for the development of the livestock sector, which will increase employment opportunities for livestock farmers and improve their livelihood.

The provincial minister stated that 13,427 livestock cards have been delivered so far and these livestock farmers have made purchases of worth Rs1 billion and 11 crores. He issued instructions to the directors and additional directors posted in all divisions to make calls to livestock farmers who have not yet activated their cards. He further explained that the Urban Unit has completed the re-verification survey to know the actual number of animals and tagging status.

Ashiq Kirmani said that about 11,000 animals/heifers will be distributed to rural women up to the age of 55 in 12 districts of South Punjab in two years. He said that so far 3,664 animals have been distributed among widows and divorced women in five districts of Punjab, including Bahawalnagar, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran and Rajanpur, while animals will be distributed soon in Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur. He said that control of foot-and-mouth disease situation in animals have improved by the process of timely vaccination of animals but there is still room for further improvement.