Sindh develops Lumpy Skin Disease vaccine

Process to vaccinate cattle likely to start soon, says minister

KARACHI:

Sindh Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari Patafi has said that the provincial government has developed a vaccine to control the deadly Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in animals, which will be administered soon.

 

He was speaking at the opening of the three-day DELFA Cattle Show at the Expo Center which was inaugurated by Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori. While speaking on the occasion, Tesori said that the DELFA Cattle Show provides an effective platform to promote interaction between representatives of dairy, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and other related industries.

Despite instability in the country, DELFA has organised the Cattle Show. “It is unfortunate that our country only works if the IMF gives a loan. We have fallen into the curse of usury; we all must fulfill our responsibilities,” he said. “It is a source of strength and confidence that Pakistan can face economic challenges at the expense of its farmers,” he added. “Exhibitions like this Cattle Show provide new opportunities to farmers.

This event also plays an important role in accelerating the development of livestock sector in Sindh.” Livestock Minister Patafi said that the provincial government has developed an LSD vaccine which would be launched soon. Investors in the livestock sector would get all possible support from the Sindh government, he added. “I assure them provision of facilities.”

On this occasion, Secretary Livestock, Tamizuddin Khero said that 2.3 million animals were lost due to the floods which had also washed away six million birds. There has been a financial loss of Rs.100 billion in the livestock sector. Even fodder was not available for the cattle that survived the deluge.

The Sindh government is compensating farmers for their agriculture losses while the problems of fisheries would also be solved soon. While speaking on the occasion, Haris Mithani, Patron-in-Chief of DELFA, said that the Cattle Show has become an important event in the development of livestock sector in Sindh. DELFA’s objective is to promote value addition by creating awareness among farmers about innovative practices, so as to enhance the role of livestock, dairy agriculture and fisheries in the country’s gross national product.