Punjab to spend Rs 500 million for livestock upgradation

The Punjab government will spend a sum of Rs 500 million under the annual development programme (ADP) for the promotion of livestock during financial year 2005-06. The concerned ministry sources said on Sunday, the said amount which is 140 percent higher than the last year's budget allocation, will be targeting up-gradation of livestock research institutes, breed improvement of livestock, improvement of semen production, establishment of disease diagnostic laboratories, livestock fodder improvement, mobile extension facilities to farmers through public-private partnership.
These sources further said credits with flexible collateral to small livestock holders have been enhanced besides provision of soft-term lending facilities for milk processing and streamlining marketing of livestock products.