HYDERABAD, April 26: Training to modernize commercial farming is the need of the hour to bridge the gap between demand and supply of milk, meat and wool in the province.

The provincial secretary for livestock, food and fisheries said this while inaugurating a six-day training programme for farmers and field staff at the Training Institute, Tando Mohammad Khan the other day.

He said to exploit livestock resources, the Sindh government has agreed in principle to upgrade the existing livestock farms into training and research institutes.

He said the financial side of upgrading farms is being examined by the provincial financial department.

He hoped that the trainees would take full advantage of the programme and after completing their training in various disciplines of livestock, they would help improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers in their respective areas.

He said that a stipend of Rs50 would be enhanced in view of the prevailing inflation so the participants could devote their time and energies in learning modern livestock farming with peace of mind.

The director general, livestock and fisheries, government of Sindh, Dr Baz Mohammad Junejo, speaking on the occasion, explained in detail the role of cattle farms.

He said that these farms were designed to develop and provide genetically-improved pedigree bulls and rams for breeding.

He said it has been observed that the farmers have not taken the advantage of these farms and most of the breeders continue to use genetically inferior bulls and rams for breeding their herds resulting in inferior progeny that adversely affects milk, meet and wool production.

He said for this reason it has been decided that these farms should be upgraded into training and research institutes to train farmers in genetically developing their stock.