A monthly meeting of Progressive Pig Farmer Association (PPFA) held on 27.4.2017 at Guru Angad Dev veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. A total of 50 farmers from every nook and corners of Punjab State participated in this meeting. Dr Abhed Pandey an expert from college of Fisheries (GADVASU), delivered a lecture on the intensive integration of the fish as well as pig farming. In this context farmers were apprised about the scope of fish farming in different areas of Punjab. Queries of farmers related to this were also addressed in this meeting. Dr B.B Singh as an expert from School of Veterinary Public Health explained about the zoonotic diseases transmissible from pigs to humans and viceversa. Blood sampling of the progressive farmers were also collected for the detection of brucellosis. Relevent literature on various zoonotic diseases were provided to the pig farmers for further appraisal on this topic . Dr H K Verma, Director Extension Education, GADVASU revealed that Pig farming is gaining all-time high popularity in the state overcoming the social taboo attached with this farming. He further told that university strive its best to popularise various livestock farming like Dairy, Poultry, Piggery, Goat etc. for all section of farmers viz landless, small to large farmers through various modus operandi. Mr Sukhwinder singh Grewal, president PPFA told that he is getting lot of inquiries from various farmers especially young ones regarding opening and scope of pig farming in Punjab. He further highlighted that many new ventures to promote pig farming by the government are in pipeline. On this occasion Mr. Alfred Wahl from Polar Genetics Canada, was also present. Dr S K Kansal, Head , Department of veterinary extension, revealed that different farmers associations like Piggery, Goat farmers, fish farmers are running under the aegis of university. Dr Jaswinder Singh, Coordinator PPFA told that university is regularly providing the technical backup to the pig farmers by conducting the monthly meeting of association on every last Thursday of the month.
