SRI MUKATSAR SAHIB: Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Saturday, kicked off the 21st Livestock Census in the state from Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that a total of 16 different species of animals and poultry will be counted during this census. For the first time, census will also take into account the role of women in animal husbandry. This is for the second time, following 2019, that the Census will be conducted digitally, using mobile App for the collection of data regarding the animals, including their breed and other characteristics.
He further informed that the department has designated one state nodal officer, five zonal nodal officers, 23 district nodal officers, 392 supervisors and 1962 enumerators to accomplish this extensive field survey. The enumerators will visit around 65 lakh households to record the number of animals according to their breeds and other characteristics.
This would be for the first time that pet dogs will also be counted according to their breeds. Additionally, it will be for the first time that cattle in Gaushalas and those reared by nomadic tribes will be counted separately. During the census, information about farmers' dependence on the livestock sector will be collected, along with data on poultry and animal husbandry implements. The census is expected to be completed by February 2025.
Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Gursharanjit Singh Bedi apprised the cabinet minister that all the concerned officers have been trained to conduct this census, while assuring that all arrangements have been made for smooth and impeccable census. He also informed that under the guidance of Principal Secretary Sh Rahul Bhandari and Special secretary Sh Harbir singh, who will be monitoring the whole process , the census will be helpful in framing the new policies for the welfare of livestock farmers of the state .