LAHORE: The livestock sector can play a more vibrant role in economic development, employment generation and socio-economic stability of rural areas provided a level-playing field is available to its stakeholders.

This was stated by Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums) Pro-Chancellor Syed Babar Ali while inaugurating the ‘International Symposium on Dairy Animal Reproduction’ at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) here on Monday.

Experts from the US, Canada, Brazil, India, Turkey, Nepal and Afghanistan will discuss with their Pakistani counterparts animal reproduction, health, nutrition, breeding and genetics during the two-day symposium organised by the UVAS Department of Theriogenology in collaboration with the Society of Animal Reproduction Pakistan (SARP) with the theme ‘New knowledge, new practices’.

Syed Babar Ali said it was a stark reality that the livestock sector based on modern reproductive techniques in the country was in infancy.

“There is revolutionary development in our poultry industry, but our livestock sector still has a lot of space for modern research based inputs,” he said while urging scientists to step forward and pave the path for sustainable development.

He also urged professors and scientists to look into future strategies to improve livestock productivity and health by applying modern reproductive techniques.

UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha briefed participants about history of the university and its academic and research programmes. He said the UVAS had developed state-of-the-art clinics, teaching, training, research and diagnostic facilities.

“The student body is now over 4,900, which has an intake from all over Pakistan with reserved seats from Fata, Balochistan, Afghanistan and Azad Kashmir.”

The UVAS got 93.3pc score, achieved the highest ‘W’ category and secured third position in the latest Higher Education Commission ranking of agricultural/veterinary universities of Pakistan, he said, adding that the demand for livestock and livestock products was on the rise mainly due to increasing human population, growing trend of urbanisation, enhanced per capita income and export opportunities.

Prof Pasha said the future roadmap included milestones in the form of entering the global halal food market with credible veterinary certification, controlling trans-boundary animal diseases of trade and economic importance.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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