Punjab to provide egg-laying hens at subsidised rates

LAHORE: Punjab Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy Development Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani Friday instructed resumption of programme of providing egg-laying hens to farmers at subsidized rates.

The minister emphasised the need to increase the growth of egg-laying hens to meet the demand for eggs in the province. During his visit to the Poultry Institute, the minister stated: “We are committed to supporting our farmers and promoting the poultry industry in the province. Resuming the programme will help reduce the cost of production for farmers and increase egg production, making eggs more affordable for consumers.”

He also directed the Institute to take steps to increase the growth of such hens, including improving breeding and nutrition programmes. He also emphasised the need for continued research and development in the poultry sector to ensure sustainable growth and development.

Kirmani endorsed that farmer’s welfare is the government’s priority and poultry farming is a profitable business and there are many opportunities for farmers to succeed in this business in view of increasing demand for organic eggs in urban areas. He maintained that to meet the demand of eggs in the winter season, planning should be done from now and the farmers should be imparted modern training in poultry farming and the government would provide all possible support in this regard. The minister said last year 91,000 sets of chickens were distributed among the farmers by the Poultry Research Institute and this number should be increased this year.