Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked farmers in the state to adopt allied activities like dairy and poultry to increase their income.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 6th National Livestock Championship at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium here, Badal announced to double the total prize money for National Livestock Championship to Rs 2.5 crore from present Rs 1.25 crore next year onward.
He praised farmers for participating in the event, where the best milch animal owners were rewarded.
Badal said Punjab government would soon formulate a policy to extend insurance benefits to cattle-rearers.
He said depleting profit due to "stagnated" Minimum Support Price for crops coupled with high agriculture inputs costs have forced farmers to move to livestock sector to increase their income.
The Chief Minister said organising such livestock championships was also an essential part of the state government's diversification plan.
