Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana conferred on Chief Minister’s award to five livestock farmers of the state in the Pashu Palan Mela. Dr. Harish Kumar Verma, Director of extension education said that GADVASU is making all out efforts for the development of the livestock sector in the state by strengthening its extension programmes. The University has established various associations of the farmers for different livestock professions. The university holds regular monthly meetings of these associations and organizes technical seminars for the transfer of technologies. These efforts have made good impact in improving productivity of dairy, fishery, goat, piggery and poultry farming. In order to motivate various categories of livestock farmers the university organizes innovative competitions by assessing the extent and impact of adoption of these technologies in improving the productivity profitability of different livestock farming system. In this response university received a number of applications. A committee of experts including Deans and Directors visited the livestock farmers who participated in the competitions and evaluated the total farming system.
After final decision university announced the names of winners in different categories. These awards were conferred on in an 
impressive function at ongoing Pashu Palan Mela. Dr. Amarjit Singh Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, S. Sukhharpreet Singh Rode, Member Board of Management, S. Gurjatinder Singh Virk, Member Board of Management alongwith Deans, Directors and Officers of the University presented awards to these progressive farmers. Dr. Verma said that in the cattle category Sh. Iqbal Singh S/O S. Gurbaksh Singh VPO Gholia Distt. Moga got the award. He started dairy farming in year 2008. Now he has 90 cows and effective 31 cattle are producing about 10 quintals of milk daily. He had established a milking parlour, ultra modern shed and Bio-Gas Plant. One of his cow has record of 50 liters milk. He has 60 awards on his credit from different livestock championships.
In the buffalo category Sh. Malkit Singh S/O S. Harvinder Singh VPO Farwahi, Distt. Barnala was selected for the award. He started dairy farming in year 2010. Now he has 150 animals and effective 85 buffaloes are producing about 7 quintals of milk daily. To provide quality feed he make silage of 25 acre green fodder. He had established ultra modern shed. He maintained proper record of dairy farming. He has good marketing skills and with value addition he is developing Paneer, Khoya, Butter, Lassi, Ghee and Cream to earn more profit.
In the buffalo category another award was conferred to Sh. Balwinder Singh S/O S. Charan Singh VPO Uchi Rurki, Distt. Fatehgarh Sahib. Now he has 30 animals and producing about 2.5 quintals of milk daily. One of his buffalo produced a maximum of 24.67 Ltr. Milk in a day. He had established ultra modern shed, and feed store. He also developed biogas plant. He maintained proper record of dairy farming. He has also earned more than 50 awards in different livestock championships.
Sh. Jasvir Singh S/O S.Jodh Singh, Vill.Karodia, Distt. Ludhiana was selected for the award in fish farming 
category. He started fish farming since 17 years back with 3 acres land. Now he is working on 9 acres area with 25 quintal per acre production annualy. He is doing fish farming in a scientific manner. He used fish pond water for irrigation of land. After getting training from Vet Varsity he is also working on value added products.
In Piggery category Sh. Dharminder Singh S/O S. Nirmal Singh, Vill. Sangera, Distt. Barnala was decorated with the award. Now he has an impressive number of 275 pigs. He has developed ultra modern and airy sheds. He produces his own feed for pigs. These awards carry plaque, shawl and citation along with cash.
