PESHAWAR: The Dairy Science Park, a Turkish organisation, has announced the establishment of two technological parks in Mardan and Quetta each to build the capacity of farmers and industrial workers to help strengthen local economy.

This was stated by Dr Subhan Qureshi of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University Peshawar (AUP), during a media briefing here on Thursday about the MoUs signed during an international research conference held recently in Konya on the initiative of Pakistan.

Dr Qureshi said the DSP event was held regularly since 2011 to promote research and development in livestock sector, promote food security and national exports, and create employment opportunities for youths.

He said a delegation of 50 Pakistani nationals including livestock and public health experts and businessmen led by special assistant to KP chief minister on law and parliamentary affairs Arif Yousaf participated in the Nov 1-5 Konya event meant to highlight research and pave way for the promotion of business and creation of employment opportunities.

Dr Qureshi said Turkey had established ‘Techno-Park’ first at the national level and then in all universities and later formed their association to resolve problems of livestock sector.

He also said during the DSP had signed memorandums of understanding with four universities including AUP, Veterinary University Lahore, Agricultural University Faisalabad (AUF) and Arid University Rawalpindi.

Dr Qureshi said 200 people of the three universities including faculty members, students and industrial workers visited Turkey, while the students were also adjusted in PhD programmes.

He said the conference had been divided into four sessions including bio-risk management, food security and ethics, meat and dairy entrepreneurship and animal health and technology.

“A total of 217 research papers were submitted during the event and some of them were even presented on the occasion,” he said.

He said the KP government had already constituted a taskforce with special assistant to CM Arif Yousaf as chairman to seek funds and supervision of the ‘Techno-Parks’ and carried it forward through public-private partnership.

Dr Qureshi said funds to be received from various channels would be utilised for bringing barren lands under cultivation and revival of sick and closed industrial units and would also be provided for research and provision of technology.

He said all business activities initiated under the DSP initiative would be carried out in line with the Shariah-based business and promotion of business-friendly environment in the country.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2017