Diversify to earn more: Capt to farmers

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Jahlan (Patiala), December 1

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today urged farmers to shift to livestock and allied farming sectors to boost their income and get out of the “vicious” wheat-paddy cycle.

Inaugurating the 10th National Livestock Championship and Expo-2017, organised by the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Departments in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here, the CM said allied farming and diversification had emerged as the need of the hour due to depleting profits from traditional farming.

“Our government will do everything to motivate farmers to adopt dairying, pig farming, goat-rearing, bee-keeping, poultry, fishery etc. to supplement their income,” he said. The CM cites the steps taken to promote prawn cultivation, especially in the waterlogged Malwa belt, over a stretch of 2,500 acres.

Stating that there was record paddy production of 190 lakh metric tonnes in the current kharif season, the CM lauded the contribution of Punjab’s progressive farmers to the country’s milk production.

Capt Amarinder also emphasised the need to promote horticulture as part of the state’s crop diversification programme.

Later, taking part in the deliberations during the technical session with foreign delegates from the UK, US, Poland and Bulgaria, he assured them of his government’s support and cooperation in providing technical know-how, besides facilitating import of sexed semen and high-quality germ plasm. Capt Amarinder said Punjab had just 2% of the country’s total milch cattle population, whereas it was contributing 7% to the national milk pool.

Andrew Ayre, UK Deputy High Commissioner, said Britain and Punjab could work together in developing a world-class piggery sector in the state. This would help the state’s farmers to cater to the rising domestic demand and look at export markets, especially in China — the biggest consumer of pork in the world.

Livestock farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, MP and UP are taking part in the event. Competitions will be held for 92 varieties of horses, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry etc. Prizes worth Rs 1.25 crore will be awarded to the winners.