LAHORE, Feb 8: The agriculture and livestock departments are all set to make their presence felt at the forthcoming National Horse and Cattle Show - one of the biggest cultural events in the country.
Over the last 40 years, the show has become one of the most popular events featuring the best breeds in the country and encouraging farmers to compete with each other and win prizes for the best animals. However, the show has not been organized regularly for various reasons.
The Punjab government a few months back decided to hold the show from Feb 16 to 20, 2004, as part of the spring festival. The decision to hold the event has been hailed widely, specially in the farming community. It is believed that the show would not only encourage the agricultural community through exhibition of its products and cattle but also help document the rich cultural and agricultural heritage of the province and the country.
The National Horse and Cattle Show includes sports, exhibitions and livestock competitions featuring the best horses, mules, cattle, buffaloes, camels, sheep, goats and chickens.
During the five-day event, displays of the finest livestock, horse and camel dances, tent-pegging, colourful folk dances, mass-band displays and tattoo shows in the evenings will attract delegates from across the country. President Gen Musharraf, Prime Minister Jamali, the four chief ministers and the heads of armed forces have all been invited.
Some 2,000 animals and 3,500 birds will be showcased. The livestock will reach the stadium on Feb 10 and the horses, camels, bulls and greyhounds two days later. Rehearsals are scheduled for Feb 13 and 14. A dog show will be held on Feb 17, at 11am.
Besides, the provincial departments will set up stalls and breeders camps. A temporary hospital has been established at the Fortress Stadium under the supervision of experienced veterinary doctors, and it will start working from Feb 10.
Provincial Minister for Livestock Syed Haroon Ahmad Sultan told Dawn that the event was being organized to promote the farming community. He said all possible facilities would be provided to the owners of animals and poultry birds.
He said a milk competition would be held among cows, buffaloes, goats and camels. The winners would be awarded cash prizes, gold medals and certificates while the buffaloes producing maximum milk would be awarded a presidential award, Rs100,000 in cash, a gold medal, a trophy and a certificate.
The livestock department is utilizing all its resources to make the National Horse and Cattle Show a recreational event as well, he said and added that the department had completed all arrangements. Mr Sultan said a special stall was also being set up to disseminate information about livestock and poultry in the province.
It may be noted that Horse and Cattle Shows are also organized at local or provincial levels in Sibi Balochistan, Jacobabad Sindh and in various other parts of Punjab. The idea of holding a national show was first conceived during the Ayub government.
The first National Horse and Cattle Show was held in 1964 at the Fortress Stadium with Gen Azam Khan as its director assisted by Dr SM Sarwar of the animal husbandry department. The National Horse and Cattle Show has since been held in 1979, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994 and 1995.