AI chatbot, mobile app launched as Pashu Palan Mela comes to a close in Ludhiana

VetBot, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant chatbot, an app on atlas of animals’ anatomy, goat milk soap, Greek yoghurt and multiple livestock-related publications were formally launched as the two-day Pashu Palan Mela came to a close at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University here.

The event was organised with the theme: Livestock Farming: Local Strength to Global Standards.

ML Jat, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and director general, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), was the chief guest for the event.

Harchand Singh Barsat, chairperson, Punjab Mandi Board; HS Jat from Indian Institute on Maize Research; Parvender Sheoran, director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI); RS Sidhu, former director, Borlaug Institute of South Asia; and MS Bhullar, director, Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) were also in attendance on the second day of the event.

ML Jat said the livestock profession was making an important contribution to the economy and food security of the country.

Jatinder Pal Singh Gill, Vice-Chancellor, veterinary university, said said livestock farmers trust the university and bring hundreds of animals to the hospital here every day, adding that 10 to 15 operations are performed daily.

Ravinder Singh Grewal, director, Extension Education, veterinary university, said enterprises such as ornamental fish rearing, aquarium making and preparation of value-added products are income-generating activities. He added that young entrepreneurs can get high returns through goat and pig farming.

The College of Dairy and Food Science Technology and the Department of Livestock Products Technology showcased a wide range of value-added products derived from milk, meat and eggs. The College of Fisheries exhibited a variety of value-added fish products.

The College of Dairy and Food Science Technology secured the first position among the university category, followed by the College of Fisheries and Department of Livestock Products and Technology at the second and third spots, respectively.