Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana inaugurated its 16th Pashu Palan Mela on 14TH March, 2014. Dr. G. S. Kalkat Chairman ,Punjab state farmers commission inaugurated the mela. While inaugurating mela he said that livestock Professions are emerging as noted professions now a day. A number of farmers are diverting towards Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries as full fledge profession. These professions also offload the burden of agriculture. Vet Varsity is doing well in the field of animal and livestock care. Dr. B. S. Dhillon V.C. PAU was Guest of Honour on this occasion
Dr VK Taneja, Vice Chancellor GADVASU said that diversification within the livestock professions is also a need of the hour. Not only Dairy farming but Fisheries, Poultry, Piggery and Goat farming are the fine diversification options in livestock. Value addition of Products may diversify these professions in a different mode. We are conducting a number of efforts to explore the new avenues in livestock professions. We have developed a number of value added products from a single raw product, it increases demand and scope of marketing many times. We are exploring health foods with new value additions, he added.
GADVASU showcased all his research, education and extension programmes at the Pashu Palan mela for the benefit of livestock farmers. Taking place twice a year in March & September it brings with its zest & excitement. This two day event at the Mela ground of GADVASU provided a platform for farmers, scientists, extension workers, Dairy officers, Fodder & Fisheries officers, various veterinary pharmaceuticals and agribusiness firms and banking sectors for showing their experience and information about the latest knowledge, technologies and schemes which has come up in the livestock sector.
Dr R.S. Sahota, Director of Extension Education revealed that large number of peoples showed their interest in taking up goat, pig and fishery farming and especially enquired about their training programmes. University publications on different subjects of livestock farming were also available. Different Departments of University provided useful literature to the farmers.
Various departments of College of Vety Science put up their stall in the Mela and tried their best to transfer valuable inputs and recommendations to the farmers. The excellent germplasm of the University such as Cows, Buffaloes, Goats, Pigs, Poultry, Emu and Quails were demonstrated to the livestock farmers. A separate question answer session was held for the livestock farmers where the farmers’ queries were addressed. The experts delivered talks on the various aspects of livestock, poultry and fish farming and the mechanism and procedures to overcome the common problems faced by them. Live demonstrations on the various aspects along with Mastitis Diagnosing kit, teat dip practice and acaricide drug application were also demonstrated to the farmers.
An earnest endeavour by the College of Fisheries Science was the stall having various carp fishes, ornamental fish, azolla, duckweed cultivation and duck farming with integration of fish farming. Value added fish products got a good response. People inquired about Fisheries profession, ornamental fish & saline water fisheries.
Different mouth watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies like 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 & Technology and the Department of Livestock Products Technology were available for sale. Meat cutlets, Meat samosa, Non-veg Momos, fibre rich meat biscuits and Egg jam were main attractions in the mela.
The innovation mode of vet varsity was reflected in the products of college of dairy science and technology as yoghurt, probiotic lassi and mozzarella cheese. Department of livestock products and technology developed shoes and bag from Emu leather which was on display.
Enormous number of livestock farmers visited the stall put up by the Animal Nutrition Department to purchase the mineral mixture and uromin lick prepared by the University which is sold at a very nominal rate to the farmers.
All the leading Veterinary Pharmaceuticals companies, Dairy & livestock related equipments, feed related factories put their stalls in exhibition. The departments like Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries of Punjab State put up their stalls in the Mela for demonstrating their activities. Different livestock associations established under the guidance of Veterinary University also put up their stalls for enrolling the members.
The Mela allures thousands of farmers from all the nook and corner of Punjab along with farmers from neighbouring states. Mela was attended by University Board Members, Officers, heads of departments, faculty, students and staff. The Pashu Palan Mela will be held for two days (14 and 15 March. 2014).
