•PS Rahul Bhandari Leads Animal Husbandry Department to Showcase Success in Livestock Health & Development at Regional Review Meeting for Northern States & UTs
Chandigarh, August 27:
In a significant recognition to Punjab’s exemplary work in animal husbandry, the Government of India has lauded the state’s Animal Husbandry department for its innovative use of social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook to disseminate crucial information and promote extension activities among livestock farmers. The Centre has also appreciated the department’s doorstep artificial insemination services and exhorted other northern states to adopt this successful model.
The Punjab Animal Husbandry department received accolades during the Regional Review Meeting (RRM) for Northern states and Union Territories, hosted by the Punjab Government and chaired by Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Livestock Health Disease Control Program and National Livestock Mission. Eight northern states and UTs – Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Punjab – came together to review the progress of livestock health and development schemes for 2024-25 and formulate plans for 2025-26, aligning with their approved annual action plans.
Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab, Mr. Rahul Bhandari, highlighted the department’s key achievements, which include procurement of 3.75 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen for producing female calves to tackle stray cattle issues and achieving 100% FMD vaccination coverage of the target population. The department has made significant strides by conducting 22.26 lakh Artificial Inseminations (AIs) in FY 2024-25, supported by the production of 18.50 lakh semen straws (6.47 lakh for cows and 12.03 lakh for buffaloes), he added.
Mr. Rahul Bhandari also presented the physical and financial progress reports for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The centre’s team led by Ms. Varsha Joshi, comprising Additional Secretary DAHD (GoI) Mr. Rama Shankar Sinha, Joint Secretary DAHD (GoI) Dr. Muthukumarasamy B., and Adviser (Statistics) DAHD (GoI) Mr. Jagat Hazarika, commended the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab’s efforts and assured additional funding for approved schemes. They also lauded Punjab’s effective implementation of the Punjab Bovine Breeding Act, which regulates breeding activities in cattle and buffalo.
Expressing gratitude to the Centre’s team for their support and appreciation, Mr. Rahul Bhandari noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform to participating states and UTs to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in implementing various programs and policies. The discussions aimed to identify areas for improvement, explore collaboration opportunities, and find solutions to common problems, ultimately fostering inter-state cooperation, idea exchange and knowledge sharing among the participating entities.
He reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment on collaborating with other states and UTs to drive growth and development in animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from participating states and UTs engage in productive discussions, fostering a spirit of cooperation and collective progress in the region.
