Punjab Government's Initiatives to Boost Livestock Sector: Minister's Visit to Buffalo Research Institute

Punjab's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, recently visited the sub-campus of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and the Buffalo Research Institute in Pattoki. The minister emphasized the government's commitment to developing the livestock sector, which is a top priority.

Accompanied by Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development, Masood Anwar, and Director General (Production), Asif Rafiq, the minister inspected various departments of the institute, including the calves rearing centre, dairy section, and research laboratories. He also received a briefing from the Chief Research Officer, Dr. Intizar Ahmed Khan, on the institute's administrative affairs and breeding, genetics, and rearing programs for calves and buffaloes.

The minister highlighted the importance of institutions like the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in providing education and training to young people, enabling them to contribute to the livestock sector in their practical lives. He also emphasized the government's focus on small farmers with land holdings ranging from one to twelve and a half acres, for whom various schemes are being launched in the agriculture and livestock sectors.

The minister revealed that the Livestock Department is working to increase milk and meat production and implement body fattening programs for livestock. He also announced the introduction of a new scheme, the Chief Minister Punjab Livestock Card, which has benefited 80,000 farmers over two years. The scheme aims to prepare four lakh animals for export through feed and fattening.

Kirmani also emphasized the importance of the Nili-Ravi breed, which is a pride of Punjab. The Livestock Department is working to improve the breed, and the government is introducing milk and meat breeds in Punjab to increase meat production and meet export targets.