Gurmeet Singh Khuddian Cabinet Minister inaugurates Pashu Palan Mela at Vet Varsity

Ludhiana, March 14, 2024: Pashu Palan Mela of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana was inaugurated by Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Cabinet Minister Punjab for Agriculture and farmers welfare, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. Dr Jeetendra Verma, President, World Veterinary Poultry Association was guest of honour. 

Dr GS Bedi, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Jasvir Singh, Director & Warden Fisheries, Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Jakhar, Dupinder Singh, Director, PDDB, Mahinder Singh Sidhu, chairman Punseed, Parmveer Singh, Vice-Chairman, MSME Board, Master Hari Singh, Member Animal Welfare Board Punjab along with Deans, Directors and Officers also graced the occasion. Dignitaries visited different stalls of Varsity alongwith Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Varsity.

Khuddian said that animal husbandry's contribution is increasing day by day in the economy and society. He urged farmers to come forward and take the support of universities for better production and income. He applauded the efforts of Vet Varsity to reach at the doorsteps of farmers through extension services.  

Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor said that the mela is being organised on the theme ‘Pashuan Vich Desi Upchaar, Ghat Laagat Vadh Paidavaar.’ (Homemade therapy for animals with less inputs and more profit). A theme based stall on ethno veterinary remedies was also established in the mela for this purpose. Dr. Singh motivated farmers to adopt livestock professions with scientific knowhow and technology.

Varsity showcased all its 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 days event at the Mela ground of varsity 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 Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Extension Education revealed that a large number of people showed their interest in taking up goat, pig and fish 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. Special interactive session on livestock rearing in the scientific way was organised consisting of live lectures from experts and questions-answers for participants.

The excellent germplasm of the University such as Cows, Buffaloes, Goats and Poultry were demonstrated to the livestock farmers. 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.  Models of integrated livestock farming for enhancing profitability of farmers and their impact on the environment were displayed. Live demonstrations on the various aspects along with sale of Milk testing kit, Mastitis Diagnosis kit, Teat dip practice and acaricide drug application were also demonstrated to the farmers.

Various carp fishes, ornamental fish, azolla, duckweed cultivation and integration of fish farming with other livestock farming were demonstrated in which farmers showed keen interest especially the saline water fisheries. Value added products of milk, meat and fish were also displayed on stalls for sale. 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.

A bamboo made poultry shed for backyard poultry rearing was introduced in the mela.

A large number of livestock farmers visited the stall put up by the Animal Nutrition Department to purchase the area specific mineral mixture, mineral mixture for pigs By–pass fat and uromin lick prepared by the University which was sold at a very nominal rate to the farmers. Different Self-Help Groups trained by Vet Varsity also put up their value added products for depiction, exhibition and sale. This has evoked excellent response among the aspiring farmers and visiting rural youth.

Farmers showed great interest in university publications. The Directorate of Extension Education has published a number of books in simple regional language at a very low price. Farmers showed keen interest in registering their name for monthly magazine ‘Vigiyanak Pashu Palan’.

All the leading Veterinary Pharmaceuticals companies, Dairy & livestock related equipment, 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. The Mela was also attended by dignitaries, Officers, heads of departments, faculty, students and staff. The Pashu Palan Mela will be on 15th March 2024 also.