Minister Livestock Reviewed FMD Control Strategy and Progress on Livestock Projects

An important meeting was held in the Livestock Department Punjab under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani. The meeting focused on the Foot and Mouth Disease Situation. The Provincial Minister reviewed the progress on the Punjab Chief Minister Livestock Card, distribution of livestock assets among rural widows and divorced women of South Punjab, and other livestock projects. The meeting also reviewed the departmental strategy and measures for FMD Control in animals. Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel also attended.

Special Secretary Livestock South Punjab Azfar Zia, Additional Secretary Livestock Usman Tahir, and other officers also participated.

Directions for FMD Control and Other Matters

Provincial Minister for Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that a strategy should be formulated soon to control foot-and-mouth disease in animals. He directed to further improve the vaccine production capacity to reduce the losses of foot-and-mouth disease. The Provincial Minister stressed the need for divisional directors to conduct ring vaccination in areas where the disease has resurfaced.

He further directed the divisional directors to play their effective role in stopping the illegal slaughtering of female animals, regular reporting of animals, and recovery of illegal possession and encroachment on the department’s lands. He said that there is no place for officers who perform poorly in the department and action will be taken against them.

Progress on Livestock Projects

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has launched several projects for the development of the livestock sector, the positive results of which have started to emerge. So far, 13,451 card farmers have received them. While 77,627 male calves/heifers of 10,990 farmers have been tagged and approved for loan by PAITS.

He further said that no negligence in the timely delivery of livestock cards to farmers will be tolerated. All divisional directors have been ordered to personally visit the livestock card delivery centers on a daily basis. Farmers whose cards have reached the centers and are not coming to collect the cards should be contacted.

He said that about 11,000 animals will be distributed to rural women up to the age of 55 years in 12 districts in two years. So far, 2,041 animals have been distributed in Bahawalnagar, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, and Rajanpur districts of Punjab and cards have also been delivered to them by the Bank of Punjab.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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