Mutual initiative: MoU inked to increase fodder yield

FAISALABAD: The Punjab Livestock Dairy and Development Board (PLDDB) and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Friday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address issues of the livestock sector with a special focus on fodder production.

The MoU was duly signed by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and PLDDB acting Chief Executive Officer Saira Iftikhar at the Syndicate Room, UAF.

According to the agreement, they also decided to provide policy recommendations, conduct research and development activities, and strengthen academia-industry linkages.

The PLDDB and UAF will work jointly on maximising knowledge in the fodder and allied sector. They also decided to set up a fodder outreach committee for creating awareness about the latest practices in livestock. They also decided to strengthen the existing mutual cooperation that will help flourish the sector in terms of increased productivity.

On the occasion, Saira Iftikhar said livestock sector had an explosive potential to uplift the national economy by contributing a major share in national GDP. She added, “Livestock can be termed as economy’s lifeline.”

She said PLDDB aimed to conserve, develop, and improve the livestock of Punjab and bridge the gap between demand and supply of meat and milk by strengthening services through skill development of farmers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2016.