Punjab plans insemination of 18 lakh milch cattle

Chandigarh, Aug 21 (UNI) In order to further boost the productivity of milch cattle, Punjab has set a target for insemination 18 lakh cows and 12 lakh buffaloes during the ensuing year.

Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister said here today that a campaign would launched to popularise policies and programmes of the state government among the masses.

He said during the last year 14.46 lakh cows and 8.40 lakh buffaloes were artificially inseminated. He further added that the state with 3 per cent cattle population was contributing 11 per cent of the total milk pool of the country and per capita availability of milk is 930 gms, the highest in the country.

Mr. Ranike said that the rural youth instead of running after jobs, should take up vocations such as dairy, poultry, piggery and fisheries, which can increase the productivity and income of the farmers.

The contribution of agriculture declined from 68.3 per cent to 58.2 per cent and that of livestock increased from 31.7 per cent to 41.8 per cent in the total contribution of these two sectors in NDSP, indicating the increase role of livestock sector in the economy of the state, Mr Ranike said.

Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, Mr.S.C. Aggarwal said a census of livestock will begin in September 14, 2007 in the state.

He called upon the Animal Husbandry Officers to direct their subordinates to perform the operation conscientiously so that exact figure came to the fore and policies and programmes for the uplift of livestock owners could be planned accordingly.

UNI