Pashu Palan Mela of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana was inaugur
ated by Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush, Padma Shri a world renowned scientist for rice production revolution. Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, PAU, Sh. Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairman Food Commission, Punjab, Sh. Muhammad Sadiq, Ex MP and noted Punjabi Artist. Sh. Jasvir Singh, Director & Warden, Department of Fishery, Punjab, Sh. Devinder Kumar, DDM, NABARD along with Deans, Directors and Officers also graced the occasion. Dignitaries vi
sited different stalls of Varsity alongwith Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice-Chancellor of Varsity.
Dr. Khush said that vet varsity is making a remarkable contribution in the field of animal husbandry. Varsity is doing well in the contacts of research, academics and extension. Dr. Khush emphasized that now we should focus on the nutritional value of our diet. He said that livestock products can enrich the nutritional values of our food. If farmers take advantage of university they can reap rich dividends. He applauded the efforts of Vet Varsity to reach at the doorsteps of farmers through extension services.
Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice-Chancellor said that the mela is being organised on the theme ‘Nasal Sudhar hai, Pashu Palan Kitte di Jaan, Vadhere U
tpaadan banaye Kisan di Shaan.’ (Breed improvement is the backbone of livestock which increases profitability). Dr. Gill motivated farmers to adopt livestock professions with scientific knowhow and technology. He said that every farmer is equally important to us, so the doors of our institute are always open for them.
Sh. Muhammad Sadiq also sung his popular song on high public demand. He said that our farmers should take guidance from this university to improve their socio economic level.
Varsity showcased all its research, education and extension programmes at the Pashu Palan Mela for the benefit of livestock farmers. Taking place twice a year in March & September it brings with its zeal & enthusiasm. This two days event at the Mela ground of varsity provides a platform for farmers, scientists, extension workers, Dairy officers, Fodder & Fisheries officers, various veterinary pharmaceuticals and agribusiness firms and banking sectors for showing their experience and information about the latest knowledge, technologies and sche
mes which has come up in the livestock sector.
Dr. Ravinder Singh Grewal, Director of Extension Education revealed that a large number of people showed their interest in taking up goat, pig and fish farming and especially enquired about their training programmes. University publications on different subjects of livestock farming were also available. Different Departments of University provided useful literature to the farmers. Special interactive session on livestock rearing in the scientific way was organised consisting of live lectures from experts and questions-answers for participants.
The excellent germplasm of the University such as Cows, Buffaloes, Goats and Poultry were demonstrated to the livestock farmers. The experts delivered talks on 
the various aspects of livestock, poultry and fish farming and the mechanism and procedures to overcome the common problems faced by them. Different models of livestock farming and treatment related awareness were displayed. Live demonstrations on the various aspects along with sale of Milk testing kit, Mastitis Diagnosis kit, Teat dip practice and acaricide drug application were also demonstrated to the farmers.
Various carp fishes, ornamental fish, azolla, duckweed cultivation and integration of fish farming with other livestock farming were demonstrated by College of Fisheries in which farmers showed keen interest especially the saline water fisheries. This college also introduced Aqua Drma-Fish skin collagen infused ointment. It is a very good moisturizer. A FISH-PRO-MAX novel protein powder derived from Pangas Catfish also introduced. It is
a taste enhancer for both ready to eat and ready to cook foods.
Value added products of milk by College of Dairy and Food Science Technology were also displayed on stalls for sale. Different mouth-watering delicacies like Sweetened and Salted lassi, Flavoured milk, Yoghurt, Sweets, Whey drink, Paneer, Milk cake, Dhoda barfi were available for the general public. This college introduced five different varieties of cheese i.e. Mozzarella, Bocconcini, Ricotta, Chevre and Feta Cheese.
Meat patties, different types of Meat pickles prepared by and the Department of Livestock Products Technology were available for sale.
A large number of livestock farmers visited the stall put up by the Animal Nutrition Department to purchase the area specific mineral mixture, mineral mixture for pigs By–pass fat and uromin lick prepared by the University. It was sold at a very nominal rate to the farmers. Different Self-Help Groups trained by Vet Varsity also put up their value added products for depiction, exhibition and sale. This has evoked excellent response among the aspiring farmers and visiting rural youth.
Farmers showed great interest in university publications. The Directorate of Extension Education has published a number of books in simple regional 
language at a very low price. Farmers showed keen interest in registering their name for monthly magazine ‘Vigiyanak Pashu Palan’.
All the leading Veterinary Pharmaceuticals companies, Dairy & livestock related equipment, feed related factories put their stalls in exhibition. The departments like Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries of Punjab State put up their stalls in the Mela for demonstrating their activities. Different livestock associations established under the guidance of Veterinary Varsity also put up their stalls for enrolling the members.
The Mela allures thousands of farmers from all the nook and corner of Punjab and neighbouring states. The Mela was also attended by dignitaries, Officers, heads of departments, faculty, students and staff. The Pashu Palan Mela will be on 22nd March 2025 also.
