The Pashu Palan Mela of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, was a highly useful event for people from all walks of life. Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice-Chancellor, expressed their views on the eve of the Pashu Palan Mela, which was held on 13th and 14th September 2024. He said that they were promoting value addition of livestock products. The mela slogan was also based on this objective, “Uttpadan ton Uttpad Banaiye, Aao Vadh Munafa Paiye.”
He mentioned that the mela was a center of attraction not only for livestock, fisheries, poultry, goat, and pig farmers but also for children, youth, senior citizens, and women, as different items were displayed for various age groups and sections. Dr. Gill revealed that while cattle, buffaloes, goats, and different species, including ornamental fish, were the main attractions for children, the countryside scenes of the university were a special draw for urban children. He further stated that Pashu Palan Mela was particularly useful for vocational course students studying animal husbandry and rural culture, as they gained valuable information about the latest interventions in animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, and more.
Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Extension Education, said that the university experts provided on-the-spot knowledge through question-and-answer sessions, discussions, and practical demonstrations regarding the upkeep, vaccination, and care of small pets like dogs and cats. Farmers were encouraged to bring blood, urine, and milk samples of their animals for free testing at the mela. Pet owners also received information on the latest products available in the market. The College of Fisheries displayed the latest technologies for fish farming in freshwater and saline water, ornamental fish culture, aquarium fabrication, fish processing, and value addition. Ornamental fish, aquarium plants, and fish products were available for sale. Housewives involved in livestock professions also interacted with university experts to receive the latest information on livestock products and their uses.
The mela also featured an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies such as Sweetened and Salted Lassi, Flavored Milk, Ice Creams, Mozzarella Cheese, Sweets, Whey Drink, Paneer, Milk Cake, and Dhoda Barfi, prepared by the College of Dairy Science & Technology. Meat patties, various types of meat pickles, meat cutlets, meat nuggets, and sausages by the Department of Livestock Products Technology were additional attractions at the mela. Dr. Brar explained that their experiments were not only focused on value addition but also on developing healthy, low-fat, and low-sugar foods. The university conducted awareness sessions on synthetic milk, and demonstrations on quality evaluation were provided. A milk testing kit developed by the university was also available for consumers.
Dr. Brar revealed that the exhibition of the latest interventions in animal husbandry was highly beneficial for unemployed youth and marginal farmers in the state who were interested in starting their businesses in the livestock sector with minimal financing. Financial institutions such as banks and insurance agencies, along with university experts, provided valuable information. Food processing machinery was also on display to educate the public on the latest technology for preparing hygienic, fast, and high-quality food products, which was beneficial for both common people and entrepreneurs.
University publications containing information on livestock diseases, their remedies, and details on training courses to set up new livestock units were also available. Farmers could register for the university’s monthly magazine, ‘Vigiyanak Pashu Palan’. The university conferred Chief Minister Awards in three categories: Cattle, Poultry, and Value Addition of Products, offering a significant boost to farmers, entrepreneurs, and youth interested in pursuing livestock rearing in a commercial and scientific manner.
