Hi-tech bull mother farm to buy, rear Sahiwal cows
Manish Sirhindi
Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 16
The hi-tech bull mother farm that has been set up under the Rashtriya Krishi Scientific Yojna at Rauni village here is all set to identify, buy and rear Sahiwal cows in an attempt to save the indigenous cattle, the number of which has dwindled to 38,446 in the state.
HM Walia, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, said the government had launched an extensive mission to develop the pure breed of Sahiwal cattle under the Gokul Gram Yojna.
The Sahiwal breed is considered to be among the best breeds in cattle in Punjab before the Indo-Pak Partition and the government is now determined to protect the indigenous cow and also increase its number.
As per the livestock data of 2012 Census, there are about 38,446 Sahiwal cows left in Punjab.
Walia said under the National Gokul Yojna, a hi-tech bull mother farm has been set up under the Rashtriya Krishi Scientific Yojna at Rauni village in the district.
Under the National Gokul Yojna, the Animal Husbandry Department will identify and buy Sahiwal cows, which are known for producing more milk. Besides, efforts will be made to encourage the cattle farmers rearing Sahiwal cows. The state government will honour them with cash award, besides giving them certificates. The identified cows will be administered free-of-cost vaccination and laboratory test during the conceiving period.
The Punjab Government has already worked out the modalities under which about 600 high-genetic breed of Sahiwal cows will be reared and further developed with highly scientific techniques so that the milk production could also be increased subsequently.
Besides, to strengthen the cattle and bull breeding under the National Project on Cattle and Bull Breeding, another bull mother farm has been promoted at Bir Dosnaj in the Nabha segment of the district and a semen bank for the storage of quality bull semen has been developed at Ropar.
The bull semen will be used to improve Sahiwal breeds through artificial insemination. The government is all set to make this technique reach every cattle farmer, besides being available at all government cattle breeding farms.
Meanwhile, a team of British experts under the leadership of Criss Jackson today visited the farm and held an interactive session with the local farmers during which they were apprised of the latest techniques and trends in piggeries.
National Gokul Yojna
Under the National Gokul Yojna, the Animal Husbandry Department will identify and buy Sahiwal cows, which are known for producing more milk. Besides, efforts will be made to encourage the cattle farmers rearing Sahiwal cows. The state government will honour them with cash award, besides giving them certificates. The identified cows will be administered free-of-cost vaccination and laboratory test during the conceiving period.
About Sahiwal breed
The Sahiwal breed is considered to be among the best breeds in cattle in Punjab before the Indo-Pak Partition and the government is now determined to protect the indigenous cow and also increase its number.
Team of British experts visits farm
A team of British experts under the leadership of Criss Jackson on Tuesday visited the farm and held an interactive session with the local farmers during which they were apprised of the latest techniques and trends in piggeries.
