The Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab plays a pivotal role in enhancing the state’s livestock sector by promoting sustainable animal farming, genetic improvement, healthcare, and disease control. It works with the mission to increase productivity, improve animal welfare, and ensure economic growth for farmers through modern technologies, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives.

Key Objectives of the Department

1. Enhancement of Livestock and Poultry Productivity
   The department focuses on identifying, conserving, and disseminating elite germplasm to improve livestock and poultry breeds.
2. Comprehensive Livestock Healthcare
   Well-equipped field centers provide services in genetic improvement, nutrition, disease diagnosis, and extension services to ensure animal health and productivity.
3. Infectious Disease Control
   With the goal of achieving disease-free status for international trade compliance, the department emphasizes vaccine production, vaccination drives, rapid diagnostics, and prompt disease reporting.
4. Farmer Income Enhancement
   By promoting entrepreneurship in livestock product processing and marketing (milk, meat, eggs, and germplasm), the department aims to improve farmer livelihoods.
5. Modernization and ICT Adoption
   Integration of modern infrastructure, ICT applications, and capacity-building initiatives is central to the department’s stakeholder services.
6. Collaborative Approach
   The department works in tandem with various national and international agencies to fulfill its mission.

Institutions:

1. Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NRDDL), Jalandhar

The NRDDL, Jalandhar serves as a premier diagnostic and surveillance center for animal diseases across Northern India. It covers Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Leh-Ladakh. Key services include:

• Diagnosis of livestock and poultry diseases
• Training programs for veterinary professionals
• Outbreak investigations
• Semen evaluation for sexually transmitted diseases
• Surveillance for notifiable diseases like BSE, Bird Flu, FMD, ASF, LSD, and Glanders

Specialized Diagnostic Laboratories at NRDDL

• Pathology Lab: Conducts animal post-mortems, histopathology, blood work, serum biochemistry, and rabies testing.
• Microbiology Lab: Performs bacterial culture sensitivity, outbreak analysis, and water quality testing.
• Parasitology Lab: Analyzes faecal, skin, and blood samples for parasitic infections.
• Poultry Pathology Lab: Detects avian diseases using PCR and sero-surveillance techniques.
• ELISA Lab: Conducts serological tests for diseases like PPR, Bird Flu, IBR, and Brucellosis.
• Veterinary Biochemistry Lab: Tests liver/kidney function and mineral levels in animals.
• Veterinary Public Health Lab: Tests for STDs in elite bulls, TB, JD, and zoonotic diseases.
• Nutrition Lab: Assesses feed quality, nutrients, and toxins; offers guidance to farmers.
• Gynaecology Lab: Diagnoses reproductive issues and synchronizes estrous cycles.
• Toxicology Lab: Detects toxic substances like nitrates and cyanides in feed and animals.
• FMD Lab: Investigates Foot-and-Mouth Disease, post-vaccination antibody monitoring, and DIVA analysis.
• Molecular Lab: Conducts RT-PCR tests for diseases like Bird Flu and IBR.
• Forensic Meat Testing Lab: Analyzes meat samples under FIRs for cow slaughter act compliance.

2. Punjab Veterinary Vaccine Institute (PVVI), Ludhiana

Established in 1971, PVVI Ludhiana manufactures essential vaccines and biologicals for disease control in livestock. It produces:

• Bacterial Vaccines: HS, Enterotoxaemia, Black Quarter
• Viral Vaccines: Ranikhet, R2B, Fowl Pox, Swine Fever
• Antigens: For Salmonella, Brucella, and diagnostic testing

The institute is undergoing modernization to meet international GMP standards. Upgraded infrastructure, animal houses, and HVAC systems are being implemented. The facility now produces and tests vaccines using rabbits, mice, and poultry. A Material Transfer Agreement with IVRI enables future vaccine production including tissue culture vaccines for swine fever, rabies, and PPR.

3. Centre of Excellence on Cattle Development, Rauni (Patiala)

This center hosts a Modern Cattle Breeding Farm where high-pedigree breeds like HF, Jersey, Sahiwal, and Gir are raised. Technologies used include:

• Milking parlors
• Bio-gas plants
• TMR feeding systems

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Focused on indigenous breeds, the mission maintains a herd of 258 animals and aims to:

• Improve genetic potential and milk productivity
• Promote disease-free elite bulls
• Rearing heifers and calves under scientific practices

Livestock Section

A herd of 92 animals (HF, Jersey, HFC) undergoes 100% AI using imported elite semen, with well-regulated breeding policies and animal monitoring.

Advanced Technologies

• Embryo Transfer Lab: Flushing and embryo transfer for breed improvement
• Semen Distribution Centre: Supplies semen across Punjab and other states
• Feed Processing Centre: Produces balanced feed for multiple species

4. Specialized Animal Farming Initiatives

Integrated Goat Station, Kulemajra

• Capacity: 125 goats (Beetal breed)
• Objective: Breed improvement and male kid distribution to farmers

Goat Breeding Farm, Kotkapura

• Focus: Pure black Beetal goats under intensive rearing system
• Purpose: Promote goat farming and provide youth training

5. Pig Breeding and Promotion

Innovative Pig Breeding Centre, Nabha

• Houses 300+ pigs
• Promotes pig farming with AI and exotic breeds
• Offers farmer training and awareness programs

Innovative Pig Breeding Centre, Gurdaspur

• Located in village Sadda, with four advanced sheds
• Provides training, piglets at subsidy, and emphasizes biosecurity

Government Pig Farm, Hoshiarpur

• Started under National Livestock Mission
• Offers knowledge transfer and piglets at subsidized rates

6. Punjab Veterinary Training Institute, Rauni (Patiala)

This institute conducts refresher training for veterinary officers and AI workers, featuring:

• Lecture halls and hostel facilities
• Training camps for dairy farmers
• Awareness programs on schemes and scientific rearing

Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab is making substantial strides in animal health, genetic improvement, disease control, and farmer welfare. With its comprehensive infrastructure, innovative breeding programs, advanced labs, and training facilities, it is empowering farmers, strengthening livestock productivity, and contributing significantly to the rural economy of Punjab.