Pashu Palan Mela Concludes with Focus on Modern Livestock Farming
The annual Pashu Palan Mela, held at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu) in Ludhiana, has wrapped up, signaling a transformative shift toward diverse income opportunities for rural youth and women. Under the theme "Local Strength to Global Standards," the two-day summit emphasized scientific modernization and value-added processing to elevate local livestock farming to international benchmarks.
Strategic Priorities for Livestock Sector
Key priorities identified during the event include breed improvement through intensive genetic research to enhance milk and meat yields, value addition by processing raw commodities into goods like flavoured milk, cheeses, and meat delicacies for higher profits, and empowerment initiatives promoting micro-enterprises such as ornamental fish rearing and aquarium making, which are manageable alongside household duties.
Leadership and Institutional Support
M L Jat, director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), commended Gadvasu's veterinary infrastructure as vital for national food security, reaffirming ICAR's commitment to bridging grassroots farming with the broader economy. Vice-chancellor Jatinder Pal Singh Gill highlighted the university's daily impact, stating, "We perform 10 to 15 surgeries daily and treat hundreds of animals, reflecting the livestock community's trust in our research-driven solutions."
Profitable Ventures and Sector Integrity
Ravinder Singh Grewal, director of extension education, noted that goat and pig farming remain highly profitable for young entrepreneurs due to low initial investments and high returns. Punjab Mandi Board chairman Harcharan Singh Barsat urged farmers to combat milk adulteration to safeguard the sector's reputation, emphasizing ethical practices.
The mela's focus on transitioning from subsistence to commercial enterprises aims to foster sustainable growth, leveraging scientific advancements and community trust to create resilient rural economies.
