Ludhiana: Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) will confer Chief Minister Awards to four progressive livestock farmers of the state on March 20 at Pashu Palan Mela being organised in Ludhiana.Dr Ravinder Singh Grewal, director of extension education said that varsity is making all out efforts for the development of the livestock sector in the state by strengthening its extension programmes.To motivate various livestock farmers, the university organises innovative competitions by assessing the extent and impact of adoption of these technologies in improving the productivity and profitability of different category livestock farming systems. In this response the university received several applications. A committee of experts including deans and directors visited the livestock farmers who participated in the competitions and evaluated the total farming system. After the final decision, the university announced the names of winners in different categories, Dr Grewal said.The awards have been announced in categories including buffalo farming, goat farming, fish farming and pig farming.Fateh Singh of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar will be awarded in the buffalo farming category. Presently he has 300 animals, out of which 85 milking buffaloes are producing 5 quintals of milk daily. He also sells milk directly to consumers and along with this he also prepares paneer, khoya, ghee and other value added products.In the category of goat farming, the award has been won by Kuldeep Singh from Barnala. He started his goat farm in 2023. Currently, he has about 50 animals. He has adopted scientific methods in the breeding management of goats, which is improving the breed and increasing production.In the fish farming category, the award has been won by Navjot Pal Singh of Ferozepur. He has been doing fish farming scientifically for the last six years and the production capacity of his fish farm is 15 tons per year. He is also rearing buffaloes, cows, chickens and goats scientifically and has been contributing to the protection of the environment by not burning stubble for the last many years.In the pig farming category, the award has been won by Gurcharan Singh of Mansa. He started this profession in 2018. Currently, he has 400 animals. Every year, 300-350 pigs are sold from his farm. On his farm, a sow has created a record by giving birth to 18 piglets. Officials said that he follows scientific methods and bio-security rules for the healthcare of the pigs.
