LAHORE – Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board (PLDDB) Secretary Irfan Elahi visited the board’s office on Saturday and was given a detailed briefing on its activities by CEO Maj Gen (r) Muhammad Ali Khan.
While sharing details of the PLDDB’s projects aimed at uplift of the rural youth, the CEO said, in the first phase and the second phase, as many as 286 men were working as artificial insemination assistants, while 286 women as livestock extension workers in Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Narowal, Bhakkar, Sialkot and Mianwali districts. “All of them are now working in the field after getting necessary training from the PLDDB.”
He informed that, during the past five months, the artificial insemination assistants had performed the insemination overtaking of more than 21,000 animals, while the livestock extension workers had sold 75 tons of animal feed. “In the third phase, the process of selection of more young people will continue.”
Ali Khan further said the construction of semen production unit was continuing in Khizarabad Farm, which was aimed at promotion and survival of Sahiwal cows, Nili Ravi buffalos and other breed. He said the unit would generate more than 100,000 doses of semen every year.
He informed that the work on the project of silage construction was being expeditiously completed and its machinery had arrived in Pakistan, while commercial production of silage would start from September. “Moreover, a special training was also held for the promotion of silage-use among the cattle-breading people.” Talking about Khizarabad Farm, the CEO informed that the PLDDB had taken over its charge and it would soon be transformed into a model farm.
Irfan Elahi also inspected Pakistan’s first online Dairy Farming Guide launched by the PLDDB.
The secretary was informed that the World Veterinary Association had issued special news, along with a picture of the website team, in its monthly newsletter, which reached all veterinary doctors and organisations throughout the world. The secretary lauded the activities of the PLDDB and offered his all out assistance in this connection.