Tarn Taran, Nov. 18 : An increasing number of farmers are being motivated to undertake crop diversification and livestock farming in Punjab.

As part of its endeavour to ensure the growth of the livestock farming sector, the government is holding various livestock shows in Punjab.

Departments of Animal Husbandry have been instructed to provide details of various government schemes to farmers.

The presence of farmers at such livestock shows reflects a rapidly popularizing dairy sector and other related livestock business in the state.

Farmers from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Kapurthala districts recently converged in Tarn Taran to participate in the three-day “Livestock and Competition Fair” to show their cattle of best quality.

Mahga Singh of Sarya village, who arrived here with his award winner “Goat”, said: “Now, my sons have started doing this business as their family income has increased. People from all over the Punjab come to them to buy livestock."

The department has registered every farmer of the area and is encouraging them to breed “Beetal Goat”. They are provided with free medical aid and medicines.

Dr. Arvind Sharma, a veterinary official, said that government is now encouraging farmers to do live stock business of “The Beetal” as this is a breed used for meat and milk production and found in Punjab and widely in demand all over the India.

Dr. Hazra Singh Cheema, agriculture development officer (Animal Nutrition) said: "Our endeavor is to make this side business as the main business of the farmer and for this purpose, the government is offering various lucrative schemes to farmers.

He claimed that the department has more than 300 veterinary inspectors and 1,500 veterinary officers to provide quality veterinary services and to promote the livestock business in the state.

However, some farmers have a demand that the state government should keep a check on the increasing rates of the feed for livestock.

Lakhbir Singh, a dairy farmer, said that the prices of the feed for livestock have almost doubled in a couple of months, and the relevant departments were doing nothing to ensure availability feed at affordable prices where as milk prices remains same.

Dr. Cheema, however, has assured that the concerns of the farmers would also conveyed to the department. (ANI)