The Punjab government has taken a significant step towards modernizing its agricultural and livestock sector with the launch of a comprehensive Equine Baseline Survey. This ambitious initiative aims to gather precise and reliable data on the population of horses and donkeys throughout the province.
Driving Modernization in Animal Husbandry
According to Deputy Director Livestock Jalalpur Pirwala, Dr. Jamshed Akhtar, this survey is a cornerstone for the future of animal husbandry in Punjab. He emphasized that the primary goal is to build a robust and accurate dataset. This information is deemed absolutely essential for designing and launching targeted development and welfare programs that will have a real, positive impact.
The collected data will serve as the foundation for upcoming equine welfare projects, which are expected to significantly improve animal care standards and, in turn, support the livelihoods of farmers across the region.
On-the-Ground Data Collection Efforts
To ensure the data truly reflects the situation on the ground, field teams have been deployed across the province. These teams are actively visiting farms and households to measure and document the equine population. Dr. Akhtar has made a public appeal, urging all horse and donkey owners to fully cooperate with the survey teams. Their participation is vital for the success of this project and for ensuring that the resulting programs are effectively tailored to meet actual needs.
A Broader Vision for Livestock Services
This equine survey is not an isolated project. Dr. Akhtar clarified that it is an integral part of the government's broader strategy to modernize and professionalize all livestock services in Punjab. As part of this commitment to support, the Livestock Department helpline is available for round-the-clock assistance, providing farmers and owners with continuous access to expert advice and support.
This initiative marks a pivotal move towards a data-driven approach in managing and improving the province's valuable livestock resources, promising a more prosperous future for the agricultural community.
