Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana conferred on Chief Minister’s award to three livestock farmers of the state. In the ongoing Pashu Palan Mela of Vet .Varsity Dr. V.K. Taneja Vice Chancellor conferred on these awards to progressive farmers. Dr. Ranjodhan Singh Sahota, Director of extension education said that GADVASU is making all out efforts for the development of the livestock sector in the state by strengthening its extension programmes. The University has established various associations of the farmers for different livestock professions. The university holds regular monthly meetings of these associations and organizes technical seminars for the transfer of technologies. These efforts have made good impact in improving productivity of dairy, fishery, goat, piggery and poultry farming. In order to motivate various categories of livestock farmers the university organizes innovative competitions by assessing the extent and impact of adoption of these technologies in improving the productivity profitability of different livestock farming system. In this response university received a number of applications. A committee of experts including Deans and Directors visited the livestock farmers who participated in the competitions and evaluated the total farming system.
After final decision university announced the names of winners in different categories. In the cattle category Sh. Harpreet Singh S/O S. Balwinder Singh VPO Noorpur Hakima Distt. Moga won the award. He started dairy farming in year 2006 with 25 cattle heads. Now he has 133 animals and effective 45 cattle are producing about 14 quintals of milk daily. He had established a milking parlour, ultra modern shed and bulk milk cooler. A computer savvy Harpreet Singh installed computer software of an Israel company to maintain the record of dairy farming. Sh. Gurjatinder Singh virk S/O S.Atmainder Singh, Vill.Kandola, Distt.Roop Nagar won the award in fish farming category. He started fish farming in year 1985 with 5 acres land. Now he is working on 30 acres area. He has been developed 5 fish ponds and 2 nursery ponds. He used water logged infertile land for fish farming. He is also promoting farm tourism at his farm. He integrated his fish farming with Agriculture and Horticulture. In Piggery category Sh. Dalwinder Singh S/O S. Sahib Singh Vill. Kishanpura, Distt. Roop Nagar baged the award. He started piggery in 2008 with 10 pigs. Now he has an impressive number of 128 pigs. He has developed ultra modern and airy sheds. The University awarded Rs. 21,000/- for cow farmers, Rs. 11000/- to Fish farmer and an award of Rs. 5,100/- to piggery. These awards carry plaque ,shawl and citation along with cash.
Dr V.K. Taneja awarded these honours in an impressive function. He said that these awards helped in motivating cattle, buffalo, fish, poultry, piggery and goat farmers to learn and adopt the latest technologies and practices of animal farming and the awardees will also serve as models for other farmers who want to adopt animal farming.
