Negligence of staff: 13 buffaloes die at AARI farms in Faisalabad

Agriculture secretary suspends Fodder Research Institute director, farm manager

FAISALABAD: At least 13 buffaloes died at Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) livestock farms due to carelessness of the staff on Sunday. The deaths were a huge loss to the livestock farms being run by the Punjab government for dairy development.

Reportedly, owing to constant negligence of the farm staff and their failure to timely feed and supply fodder to the buffaloes, more than 13 livestock animals died, while six buffaloes were in critical condition.



Soon after the incident, officials of the provincial agriculture department and Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mahmood immediately rushed to the AARI in Faisalabad and personally inspected the farms.

The agricultural secretary suspended Fodder Research Institute Director Shabbir Shakoor and farm manager Naveed Siddiqi for their failure to fulfill their responsibilities and keep a vigilant eye on the activities of the farms. Mahmood also expressed dismay over poor sanitary conditions and absence of staff at the farm and said other officials involved in negligence will be taken to task.

He also constituted a three-member committee over the matter.  The committee will prepare a comprehensive report within two weeks and submit it to the provincial agriculture department for further proceedings.

The farms were being run by the directorate of Fodder Research Institute, under AARI. The aim of the project is to examine fodder effect on the body and weight of the livestock and to record milk production.

The farm is situated within the compound of the AARI and is being run by a farm manager and over dozens of other employees.

They were tasked to provide timely fodder and water to the buffaloes and to record the impact of weight, milk production and other biological needs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2016.