Farmers throng Pashu Palan Mela

Manav Mander

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 22

A two-day Pashu Palan Mela began at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) today. The mela was inaugurated by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. Speaking on the occasion he emphasised that farmers should come forward to educate the young generation with full efforts as education was the pivotal strength of any country.

The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr BS Dhillon, was the guest of honour at the mela. Theme slogan of the mela is “Palo pashu saleeke naal, vatavaran di karo sambhal.”

The GADVASU Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr AS Nanda, said diversification with livestock was the need of the hour.

He said the university was making efforts to explore new avenues in livestock. “We should try to control diseases of animals. It pays good profit in economic terms if there is no problem,” he added.

GADVASU has showcased all research, education and extension programmes at the Pashu Palan Mela for the benefit of livestock farmers. The two-day event at the mela ground of veterinary university has provided a platform for farmers, scientists, extension workers, dairy officers, fodder and fisheries officers, various veterinary pharmaceuticals, agribusiness firms and banking sectors for showcasing their experience and sharing latest knowledge, technologies and schemes, which have come up in the livestock sector.

The extension education director, Dr HK Verma, said a large number of people showed their interest in taking up goat, pig and fish farming. He said they especially enquired about university training programmes.

University publications on different subjects of livestock farming are also available at the cattle rearing fair. Different departments of university are providing useful literature to farmers.

Special interactive session on livestock rearing in the scientific way was organised. It comprised live lectures from experts, besides questions and answer from participants.

Various departments of the College of Veterinary Science have put up stalls at the fair and are trying to transfer valuable inputs and recommendations to farmers.

The excellent germplasm of the university, including cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs and poultry, were demonstrated to visitors. Experts delivered talks on various aspects of livestock, poultry and fish farming and the mechanism and procedures to overcome common problems faced by them. Live demonstrations of milk testing kit, mastitis diagnosis kit, teat dip practice and acaricide drug application were also held for farmers.

A stall put up by College of Fisheries displayed various carp and ornamental fish, besides azolla, duckweed cultivation and integration of fish farming with other livestock farming. Value added products of the college are also on display and sale.

Different mouth watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, including sweetened and salted lassi, flavoured milk, yoghurt, sweets, whey drink, paneer, milk cake, dhoda barfi, meat patties, different types of meat pickles prepared by College of Dairy Science and Technology and the Department of Livestock Products Technology are being sold at the mela. Meat cutlets, non-veg momos, fibre-rich meat biscuits are the main attractions. Emu oil with medicinal properties is also available.

A large number of livestock farmers visited the stall of the Animal Nutrition Department to purchase the area specific mineral mixture, mineral mixture for pigs, bypass fat and uromin lick prepared by the university, which is being sold at a nominal rate to them.

New releases at mela

• Three calendars developed by scientists of university —vaccination calendar, de-worming calendar and reproduction for goats — released at the fair.
• A wheat straw cleaning machine developed by Krishi Vigyan Kender, Barnala, launched at the mela. 
• New variety of lassi with natural fruit pulp “Black Currant Lassi” developed by the College of Dairy Science and Technology introduced at the mela.
• College of Fisheries is pursuing a research on feed of fish by adding ginger, garlic and alovera like natural herbs, besides plants, whose model showcased at the mela. 
• For first time in Punjab shrimp pickle prepared by the College of Fisheries launched at the mela.