LAKKI MARWAT, May 24: District Nazim Humayun Saifullah Khan has said that the newly established frozen semen laboratory at Serai Naurang will usher in a new era in the development of livestock sector.

This will enable the local population to get the semen of precious species of livestock for breeding purpose and increase the yield of milk and meat, he said, while speaking at the inauguration of the frozen semen laboratory here on Wednesday.

Executive district officer agriculture Tasleem Khan, assistant director livestock and dairy development Dr Gul Rehman and officials of Barani Area Development Project (BADP) also attended the event.

The nazim informed that the district government had provided Rs800,000 for the laboratory building, while BADP had spent Rs7.9 million to equip it with modern equipment, machinery and other accessories.

He said the laboratory when fully functional would facilitate the farmers and livestock keepers of southern districts of NWFP as well as people from Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bhakar districts of Punjab to get the frozen semen of buffaloes and cattle.

“The laboratory will boost the livestock sector, thus helping generate employment opportunities and alleviate poverty in the backward district”, Mr Saifullah said.