RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department has computerized the necessary data of 8.7 million cattle farmers in the province through latest software which has stored the real time data of cattle formers. Technical collaboration has also been extended to other provinces and Australia, Japan and South Korea by the Livestock Department.

This was stated in a meeting of the Livestock Department at its head office with Provincial Minister Livestock and Dairy Development Mian Nauman Kabeer in the chair. The minister was told that share of livestock sector in agriculture is 58.3 percent and continuous awareness and information is extended to cattle farmers about diseases of different animals in more than 26 thousand villages of the province.

The department has also introduced best practices to increase the production of milk. This has helped to make the farmers economically self-reliant. The Minister was told that vaccination of animals will be completed soon. The 353 mobile dispensaries, four mobile veterinary laboratories, 9335 mobile motorcyclists and nine mobile training schools are providing necessary assistance to the farmers. The department has also established a helpline for giving necessary information and guidance to the farmers. This service works round the clock.

On the occasion, the minister telephoned the helpline and introduced himself as a common cattle farmer for seeking information and guidance about treatment of animals. He expressed his satisfaction over the prompt response and technical assistance of the helpline staff. The minister also directed to initiate public awareness campaign for saving cattle skins during Eid-ul-Azha and added that Livestock Department can also benefit the leather industry by sensitizing the farmers and people about safety of animals and their skins.