For a complete eradication of foot and mouth disease in milk giving animals, the provincial ministry for livestock has proposed a global strategy, while it holds the free movement of animals in the region particularly from India and Afghanistan into Pakistan responsible for the disease. This disease to a greater extent has been controlled and affected animals have also been healed; however the herds from other neighbouring countries into Pakistan refresh its speared. Seven different diseases are common in Sindh of the same family. The ministry has however initiated a project of 39.873 million to establish five mobile units to provide animals with treatment on the spot. The project also includes the collection of samples and animals treatment training for farmers. In a presentation, Director Animal Husbandry, Sarver Sheikh briefed the Minister for Sindh Livestock, Abdul Haque Bhurt on Saturday at a meeting held at the Sindh Livestock Department about the progress and development of projects being executed across the province. On the occasion, Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Shoaib Ahmed Siddique, Director Planning and Development Mohammed Esa Memon and other concerned directors and officials attended the meeting. Saver Sheikh informed the minister of the progress of 16 ongoing projects at a cost of Rs 2847.003 million, while seven new projects at a cost of Rs 1717.673 million has recently been conceived, which will be initiated after the approval from Finance Department. These projects have been undertaken under the annual development programme for the year 2008-09. He apprised the minister of the project initiated to control endo-parasite and ecto-parasite disease at a cost of Rs 39.999 million, which has presently been delayed by the dearth in funds. Rural women training scheme at a cost of Rs 35.247 million has been initiated, he said, adding that some 89 ladies livestock supervisors in a year have been trained. An awareness programme for farmers has been initiated at a cost of Rs 15.027 million to set up 320 farmers' field schools and 80 veterinary officers. A project for improvement of livestock farms in Sindh at a cost of Rs 140.447 million has been initiated to enhance the productivity, maintenance and conservation of livestock breeds, besides improvement of infrastructure, he maintained. He enumerated several other projects, which are under way or near to completion. The minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure the viability of these projects to provide relief to the masses. He also asked them for compiling the records of buildings of Sindh Livestock Department in Sindh and protecting them from encroaches and grabbers.