‘Farmers should pay more attention to animal health’

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Livestock Development Ministry has taken steps to ensure that healthy livestock of farmers is maintained properly through Animal Production and Health Department.

“It is our duty to look after animals properly to develop the livestock of the country. Animals play the key role in the development of livestock. Without healthy animals we can’t do anything in this field. But most farmers do not pay attention to animal health.

Our ministry has taken steps to look after older and diseased animals and because of that we were able to produce organic fertilizer. ” said the Livestock Development Minister R.M.C.B. Ratnayake at a press conference held at the Information Department.

The livestock farmer should know how to avoid disease, identifying and testing illnesses, appropriate feeding practices and breeding.

Animal Production and Health Department provides technical guidance and support to achieve sustainable development in the livestock sector by maintaining a healthy animal population and enhanced productivity ensuring food safety and contributing to food security.

“Laws have been enacted to prevent the slaughter of milking cows and heavy fines are being imposed on offenders so that national milk production will not be affected by cows being killed.” said the Minister.

The Main programs conducted by the Animal Production and Health Department are to ensure prevention of diseases among animals, Goat developing programs, promote optimal utilization of animal genetic resources, enhance utilization of quality animal feeds and feed resources, conduct research and development towards a sustainable livestock industry.

Develop human resources and ensure efficient and effective information dissemination and technology transfer, To formulate, monitor and evaluate projects and programs with sector participation, prevention of bird flu, establishing veterinary clinics and many others.