Kollam: The ban on cattle slaughter enforced by some states has left the farmers terribly affected, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Friday. "The cattle is reared for specific purposes by the farmers. It is pointless to insist the farmers to protect them even if they turn useless owing to bad health or old age. This will become a financial burden to them. The ban has made the farmers to abandon the cattle which in turn became strays affecting public life," Mr Vijayan said while inaugurating the national livestock and poultry expo -2017 organised by the animal husbandry department at the Asramam Ground here on Friday.
The 4-days-expo has participants from various sectors including public sector undertakings, government departments, NGOs, self-help groups, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and private establishments. The expo also has livestock including several Indian and imported breeds, pet animals, and birds. The organisers expect a participation of over 10 lakh people. There will be a total of 350 stalls of government, public sector, and private institutions spanning across an area of 25 acres. Apart from the exhibition, there are sales-counters, food festival, seminars, and cultural programmes. An interactive session between animal husbandry minister K. Raju and dairy and poultry farmers will also be held at the venue.
