Acting Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Livestock & Dairy Development Board (PLDDB) Saira Iftikhar has said that PLDDB has become the trend setter organization for livestock farmers and fodder producers in the province. She was addressing a media briefing at local hotel of Lahore regarding the last year progress and initiatives of PLDDB for current year. Sara Iftikhar said that PLDDB is not profit making business but now we have established self sustain model to operate the running projects. She said that PLDDB produce a new product and educate the farmers then they adopt the technique and run their own production unit. CEO said that during last year PLDDB launched 60kg silage bale project for 90% small famers and the methodology to reach silage across Punjab through distribution network, PLDDB Silage has also reached to Karachi and Peshawar. PLDDB during 2016 also in its milk production from 5 litter per animal to 8.4 liters per animal at its Livestock experiment station, Khizerabad. Also started Fodder Research & Development Cell to add the value in crop residue available in all district of Punjab, the raw and low cost stuff will be converted into high value feeding ratio and PLDDB has also submit the technical proposal to Higher Education Commission for funding the research projects. To accelerate the progress of development projects, PLDDB has signed agreement with the leading organization working in agro of semen production unit, a concession agreement with ICI is ready at PPP cell of government of the Punjab for further proceeding. After signing, Genetic Improvement Center Khizerabad will be operated at International standards. She added that PLDDB has signed agreement with University of Faisalabad to make joint efforts to academia and industry. She further said that PLDDB signed agreement with Farm Dynamics Pakistan for efficient use of water at farm and for the installation of Pivit Irrigation System at LES farm. She revealed that a few weeks ago, World Bank has visited PLDDB office for the joint project on livestock, in his final report, they have revealed the PLDDB is playing leading role in the betterment of livestock in the Punjab and World Bank will start development project with PLDDB in near future. Saira Iftikhar said that PLDDB has planned the current year strategy, Board will launch a new project of quality milk supply to citizens though mechanized milking machines, silage project will be expanded across Punjab, new fodder projects will be launch to make the fodder low cost and high nutriment. She said that new management of PLDDB in a short span of time has made the success.
