Importance of poultry, dairy industries highlighted

LAHORE

The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore in collaboration with Nutritionists Association of Pakistan, organised a two-day international livestock nutrition summit “Feed, Farm, Food & Innovations” here on Tuesday.

Former secretary livestock and dairy development Punjab and poultry expert, Prof Dr Mohammad Yaqoob Bhatti (r) chaired the inaugural session of the summit while President Nutritionists Association of Pakistan Dr Mussadiq Asif, organising secretary Prof Dr Saima Naveed and a number of leading professionals, experts, delegates and stakeholders from seven countries, including China, Hungary, Turkey, the UAE, Holland, Bangladesh, Egypt, etc, were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Mohammad Yaqoob Bhatti highlighted the importance of poultry and dairy industries and the role of livestock nutrition in food security and national economy. He spoke about feed, energy and protein resources and their importance. He said the livestock nutrition summit would add value and help in research in livestock nutrition.

Presenting the welcome address on behalf of the vice-chancellor, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Business Management said the summit would provide a platform to get insight into significant recent scientific findings and advancements in livestock nutrition from across the globe. It will help to build strong linkages among researchers, academia, government bodies and development partners working in livestock nutrition, he added.

Prof Nasim said that development efforts must provide solutions for both small holders and commercial farmers. The emphasis should be on improving per unit animal productivity and moving from subsistence to market-oriented commercial livestock farming in the country to meet the domestic demand and surplus for the export. “It is need of hour to exploit the potential of livestock sector and use it as engine for economic growth and food security leading to rural population empowerment and socio-economic development,” he said.

Being the flagship university, he said, the UVAS had fully realised the needs of the related sectors and initiated degree programmes, training, research projects, technology centres and services to meet the challenges of growing industries, farming communities and stakeholders.

The UVAS is working in strong collaboration with Livestock & Dairy Development Department Punjab for strategic research & development, he said, adding that commercialisation of research and UVAS expertise generate significant economic growth and business opportunities in country. Prof Dr Saima presented the vote of thanks.

LCWU: Showcasing of ceramic started here at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) on Tuesday. Tevta Chairman  Irfan Sheikh inaugurated the event in the Institute of Visual Arts and Design. 

The director of the institute, Dr Riffat Saif Dar, said the exhibition was the first event in collaboration with Tevta after signing MoU with it.

LCWU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar appreciated the event and said that the exhibition led towards an idea of establishing hub of blue pottery, a famous ceramic craft by Tevta’s Shahdrah Pottery Centre at LCWU. Dr Kausar told the chairman that both institutions could join hand in various fields.