Pindi eyes enhanced meat production

Newly-introduced livestock system will ensure enhanced animal well-being

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab Livestock Department has recently launched the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System (PAITS) in the Rawalpindi division, aiming to enhance meat production and ensure the overall well-being of farm animals.

The newly implemented PAITS will serve as a comprehensive system for livestock registration, tracking missing animals, and monitoring animal health and feed. The primary objectives include promoting animal breeding, maintaining optimal health conditions, treating illnesses, and providing adequate nutrition to livestock to boost milk and meat production.

The livestock department has already completed its plan of action for all departmental activities aimed at increasing meat production using PAITS.

This involves the examination of animals in mobile veterinarian dispensaries which provide free animal care and vaccinations.

Additionally, livestock caretakers will receive regular guidance to keep the livestock healthy and disease-free.

Slaughterhouses will maintain standards by ensuring that there is proper sanitation, lighting and water supply and that only healthy animals are slaughtered.

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Meetings will be arranged to raise awareness among livestock caretakers in addition to treating the animals to eradicate illnesses.

A “Farmer Day School Focus Programme” has been proposed which will devote attention to developing and executing the programme in cooperation with farmers.

The feed for the livestock will be made available at a subsidised rate by the department. Further, the facilities and guidelines to overcome fodder shortage will also be provided to the farmers.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Rawalpindi Division Livestock Department Director, Dr Naveeda Sehar Zaidi, said there were more than 500 animals registered on PAITS in a dairy farm in Chakwal district.

In line with that, further fattening farms would also be registered on the PAITS.

The main objective of PAITS is to update livestock information and improve animal health, feeding, breeding as well as disease history.

By keeping accurate animal profiles in laboratory records, it is possible to enhance livestock breeding thereby promoting animal exports and commerce as well as regulating the occurrence of illness in livestock.

Dr Zaidi stated the and enhancement of veterinary facilities would guarantee the availability of livestock feed in convenience centres.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2024.