CHANDIGARH: Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian launched a deworming drive in the state on Tuesday, starting from the Lambi constituency of Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
S. Khudian stated that the Punjab government has purchased deworming medication for livestock at a cost of Rs. 7.78 crore. This medication will be distributed free of cost to farmers across the state.
While directing the officials to complete the deworming drive within this week, he further informed that the Animal Husbandry department has formed over 2000 teams to deliver the deworming medication directly to farmers. For those who miss the distribution, the medicine will be available free of cost at their nearest veterinary institute.
For the deworming of cows/buffaloes and calves in the entire state of Punjab, he said that the dewormers are being distributed under ASCAD scheme.
Notably, this is the second deworming campaign which is expected to have a positive impact on milk production and thus increasing farmers income. Last year's campaign was well-received by livestock owners, who requested a repeat this year.
Rahul Bhandari, Principal Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, has directed all department officials to ensure the timely delivery of dewormers to every household having animal with it. This will ensure that all animals in the state are dewormed which will help in boosting milk production and improving animal immunity.
Dr. G.S. Bedi, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, mentioned that deworming animals before vaccination increases their immunity and improves vaccination effectiveness. He urged all animal owners to deworm their animals before the foot-and-mouth vaccination campaign, which will begin in the mid of this month, to create a healthy livestock and eradicate foot-and-mouth disease from the state. Dewormers are available at all Civil Veterinary Hospitals and Civil Veterinary Dispensaries throughout the state, and can be obtained free of cost from the nearest veterinary institutions.