Artifical insemination scheme for milch cattle launched

Moga, Jul 13 (UNI) In order to provide better health care and artificial insemination services at the doorstep of dairy farmers and to provide best quality semen, the Punjab Animal Husbandry department has launched a centrally- sponsored Special Artificial Insemination scheme.

The state animal husbandry department has directed all District Veterinary officials to recruit six to 15 artificial insemination workers, as per their need in their respective districts.

Stating this here today, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Dr P C Mittal said insemination workers would be selected under the self-employment scheme. The minimum qualification of an insemination worker would be matric.

The selected artificial insemination workers would be imparted four-month training.

After the selection and training, these insemination workers will be supplied quality semen by the district animal husbandry department. Every worker will be allowed to charge Rs 50 per insemination and out of this amount he will have to deposit Rs 20 with the department as the semen price.

Dr Mittal also stated that the department and state Live Stock Development Board has been providing inputs to the dairy farmers, for enhancing milk production in the State. Beside this the department has also taken up a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Control Programme on a large scale, which is being implemented in all the districts.

''This programme is aimed at making Punjab a disease free zone and will help boost milk exports,'' he added while pointing out that FMD had largely been responsible for low export of milk and dairy products from India.

UNI XC-HS PD HT1500