A delegation of world acclaimed UK-based Cranswick Foods Company, led by British Deputy High Commissioner David lelliott, on Thursday had detailed parleys with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to set up a modern pork processing plant in the State.
Badal, while interacting with the delegation, assured them of extending all possible support and cooperation to bring this project on the ground. He said that the project would act as a catalyst to hasten the process of value addition in Animal Husbandry sector on one hand and give boost to the farm diversification on the other.
He also requested lelliott to help the State Animal Husbandry Department in capacity building.
It was informed in the meeting that the consumption of pork was gradually picking up, especially amongst the middle class, and hoped that with the setting up this world class pork processing plant, the pig farmers would not only be immensely benefitted but also provide high quality pork to the consumers across the State.
Highly appreciating the State Government’s initiatives for the development of piggery, the Chief Operating Officer of Cranswick Chris Aldersley promised to provide all technical support and expertise to our progressive pig farmers to further consolidate their economic position through better feed practices and animal housing.
He said that they would provide information about high quality pig genetics to the State which would enable Punjab Government to identify sources for import of live pigs and semen. The State Government could then use these resources to provide high quality piglets to the farmers, he added.
For the same, Aldersley said that Cranswick would provide live pigs and frozen semen to the animal husbandry department for high quality breeding at Government pig farms, which in turn would supply the best quality piglets to the local pig farmers.
The delegation held an interactive session with pig farmers from the State at the Centre of Excellence on Cattle Breeding Farm at village Rauni in Patiala district and they assured the delegation of adopting modern field practices and hygiene standards during its visit.