LAHORE: Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Friday inaugurated the lumpy skin disease vaccine developed by the Veterinary Research Institute of Lahore.

Livestock secretary Masood Anwar, director-general (research) Dr Sajjad Hussain and Director General (extension) Asif Salman Sahi were also present.

Dr Hussain briefed the minister about the vaccine development process.

Mr Kirmani appreciated the efforts of the vaccine developers, hoping it would help overcome the outbreak of the disease that had caused much damage to the sector a couple of years ago.

He said the government would provide loans on easy terms to 40,000 farmers in rural areas for dairy development through the livestock cards.

He said 1.2 million animals and 0.15m livestock farmers would benefit from the calf fattening scheme.

The minister sought the development of vaccines against Brucellosis, worm-borne Theileriosis and Babesiosis.

Secretary Anwar said that the department is determined to develop vaccines against more diseases besides gradually improving the quality of vaccines and developing a quality assurance mechanism.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2024