Training on Commercial Ostrich Farming starts

Rawalpindi

A five-day, first National Training on Commercial Ostrich Farming commenced at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), here on Monday.

The training was organised by Station for Ostrich Research and Development - Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (FA&AS) with an aim to create awareness and promotion of ostrich farming in Pakistan.

PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad was the chief guest at the inaugural session while, deans, directors, faculty members and a large number of ostrich farmers from all over the country were also present on the occasion.

The participants will get training on disease diagnosis, vaccination, laboratory, slaughtering and Nutrition (feed) for ostrich.

Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, while addressing, highlighted the benefits of Ostrich farming and said that it is the only way out to overcome the shortage of meat in the country. He referred it to as the farms of future because of the high profit potential and could earn foreign exchange.

The vice chancellor said that government has taken various measures to uplift this sector but still awareness and more efforts are needed to convert ostrich farming into a profitable business.

He informed the participants that in 2013, a hatchery was established at University and already providing the farmers technical assistance, consultancy services and medication to ensure safe investment in ostrich farming.

He urged faculty members to resolve problems regarding ostrich farming to enhance ostrich production in the country and assured full support from the PMAS-AAUR administration.

Professor Dr Arfan Yousaf, dean, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Dr Nasir Mukhtar, in-charge Station for Ostrich Research and Development also address the participants at the inaugural session of the training.