• EXHORTS FARMERS TO ADOPT ALLIED FARMING ACTIVITIES FOR SUPPLEMENTING THEIR INCOME
• LISTS INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR PROMOTING ALLIED FARMING SECTOR
• ANNOUNCES TO HONOR LEADING PROGRESSIVE DAIRY FARMER AT STATE LEVEL REPUBLIC DAY FUNCTION FOR HIS RARE FEAT
• LIVESTOCK EXPO HAS CARVED A NICHE FOR ITSELF IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARENA- SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL
• ASKS ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH WEBSITE AND PUBLISH DIRECTORY REGARDING THIS EXPO
• CONCLUDING DAY OF LIVESTOCK EXPO AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB

NewZNew (Sri Muktsar Sahib) : Recalling the immense contribution of the Punjabi farmers in transforming India from a food deficit to food surplus country, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today envisioned that due to the hard work and dedication of farmers the state would soon emerge as frontrunner in ‘White and Blue’ revolution also.

Addressing the gathering on the concluding day of Livestock Expo and National Championship here today, the Chief Minister said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had scripted a new chapter in the history of nation by making it self-reliant in food production through the ‘Green Revolution’ in 1960s. However, he said that in this great service of the nation the farmers of the state had even sacrificed the only available natural resources of the state in term of fertile soil and water. But, Mr. Badal bemoaned that today with the squeezing margins of profit agriculture was no longer a profitable preposition due to which farmers were facing a lot of problem for their basic subsistence.

In such a dismal scenario, the Chief Minister said that the only silver lining for the farmers was the allied farming sector, which was having a huge potential in the state. He said that in order to emerge out of the current agrarian crisis, the Punjabi farmers must take the initiative of opting for the allied farming activities like Dairy farming, piggery, apiary, goatery and others. “This will bail out the farmers from the crisis by supplementing their income” added Mr. Badal.

Listing the initiatives taken by the state to promote allied farming sector under its flagship program of crop diversification, the Chief Minister said that the farmers have given positive response to this program by evincing keen interest in Livestock sector. He also said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for them that Punjab has emerged as number one state in pisciculture amongst the non-coastal states of the country. Mr. Badal said that to further promote Fishery in the state he had recently visited China along with a delegation of the progressive fish farmers to get acquainted about their expertise in the fishing sector adding that to encourage the farmers for adopting fish farming the state government was giving 100% subsidy for setting up fish farms in water logged areas and 50% subsidy in other parts of the state.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that to popularize Dairy farming in the state 50% subsidy was being given to the women dairy farmers. Mr. Badal called upon the farmers to adopt apiary, piggery and goatery as there was tremendous scope in these sectors. He said that the state government has set up boards for encouraging the farmers towards these sectors.

Expressing gratitude to the farmers of nine states who have came all the way to attend 64 championships in the expo, the Chief Minister announced that from the next year this event would be organized at much bigger scale. He said that this would enable the farmers to update themselves about the emerging technologies in the field of agriculture and livestock sector. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal announced to honor Mr. Daljit Singh Sadarpura, the proud owner of HF cow which has created national record by giving 61.800 kilograms of milk, in the state level Republic Day function.

In his address the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that as due to the stupendous efforts of the state government mother game of Punjabis-Kabaddi has carved a niche for itself in the international sports arena in the same manner this expo has also attracted the farmers from both within the country and abroad. He said that the fact that farmers from nine states have participated in this mega event speak volumes of success of this expo. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also suggested the Cabinet Minster Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike to launch a website having important information regarding the prize winners of this expo so that the farmers could be immensely benefitted from it. He also said that a directory must be published about these farmers.

On the occasion Deputy Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners.

Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, Chairman Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, President Youth Akali Dal Malwa Zone Mr. Kanwarjeet Singh Rozy Barkandi, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Chairman PUNCOFED Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, former MLAs Mr. Sant Singh Brar and Mr. Sukhdarshan Singh Mrar, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.