Functioning of Centre for Buffalos at Regional Research & Training Centre, Booh (Tarn Taran) will improve the economy of small and landless people engaged in animal husbandry. So, ultimately the dairy industry will flourish in the area. These views were expressed by S.Balbir Singh Sidhu, Cabinet Minister, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy and Labour department on the foundation stone laying of Regional Research and Training Centre for buffaloes in the Tarn Taran District. He also promised that he will put his best efforts to start a Veterinary Polytechnic in this area at the outset Cabinet Minister was depicted and explained the various activities undertaken by the KVK, Booh and a ‘Sale Point’ for providing various university inputs (Literature, Mineral Mixture, Bypass fat, Mastitis Kits etc.) was inaugurated by Minister.
In this function Dr. Amarjit Singh Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana revealed that Buffalo being the native animal, is well adapted to the local climatic conditions and resistant to various diseases and parasites. Murrah and Nili Ravi are two important breed of buffaloes reared in Punjab. There is ample scope to supply superior germplasm of buffaloes to adjoining states.
Dr. Dharambir Agnihotri, MLA, Tarn Taran, S. Harminder Singh Gill, MLA, Patti and S. Sukhpal Singh Bhullar, MLA, Khemkaran all said that this centre will develop a new combination of development in this area for buffalo breeding.
Dr. Harish Kumar Verma, Director of Extension Education, GADVASU informed that Establishment of a buffalo herd of high yielding buffaloes/bulls in the Tarn Taran district for production of superior germplasm for imparting competitive edge to the existing farm. To establish a nucleus herd of buffaloes, true to breed buffaloes will be procured from its breeding tract after recording of production performance and disease testing of animals.. The farm will be managed using best latest technologies and infrastructure available in the country.
Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director Research, GADVASU informed that to improve buffalo breeds in the area, the proposal is to develop an elite herd of 100 buffaloes, 10 bulls and their followers so that superior bulls of high genetic merit can be selected. The bull calves and frozen semen of these bulls will be made available to the farmers/semen banks for the improvement of the buffalo breeds. A fodder calendar was released and progressive farmes were awarded by the dignitaries. Sh. Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal, Deputy Commissioner said that he will extend his full support for the development of this centre. Dr. Balwinder Kumar, Deputy Director of KVK, Booh informed that the animals of this centre will be provided with latest and most comfortable and environmentally controlled housing, incorporating the latest inventions and management techniques.
Dr. Amarjit Singh, Director Animal Husbandry and S. Inderjit Singh, Director Dairy Development Board also graced the occasion.