53 veterinary hospitals set up throughout KP in three years

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has established 53 modern veterinary hospitals throughout the province at a cost of Rs350 million whereas Rs105.35 million have been spent on the renovation and upgradation of the existing veterinary facilities in the past three years.

A sum of Rs120 million have been spent on expansion and breeding of purebred buffalos and upgradation of dairy technologies while 160 new animal dispensaries have also been established.

According to the three-year performance report issued by the Directorate of Livestock and Dairy Development, steps are underway to ensure better breeding of animals, establishment of meat animals farms, establishing veterinary hospitals for treatment of animal diseases and associating dairy products with the mainstream markets in an attempt to increase production.

The Livestock Department has also established a model farm for breeding of angora rabbits at an expense of Rs10 million. Angoras are bred mainly for their wool, which is silky and soft and will contribute in the economic resources of the province. Steps have also been taken for training farmers and staff associated with the livestock sector. A total of Rs60 million have been spent on training the staff of the Livestock Department as well as livestock farmers. In order to reach the farmers of the far-flung areas, the Livestock Department has conducted over 1442 field days throughout the province, in which 30,702 farmers were provided trainings and advice on effective management and breeding of their animals.

As per the report, a total of 6.3 million animals have been treated in the veterinary hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whereas 6.28 million animals have been administered vaccines. About 20.09 million vaccines have also been administered in the poultry sector. A total of 9,27,067 artificial inseminations in cattle have also been carried out during the last three years.

In the research sector, the department has established Livestock Research and Development Station in Lower Dir at an expense of Rs247.605 million, which included analytical laboratory for animals.

The facility will help in genetic improvement of Achai cattle and Azakhali buffaloes, improve the management practices of farmer community through awareness and encourage the farmers to use improved feeding practices.

Additionally, Drug Residue Determination Facility has also been established in Peshawar at an expense of Rs60 million, with the aim of detecting high hazardous drug residues in milk, meat, eggs and checking of adulteration in food.