Milk, meat productivity stands low

90 per cent livestock is not getting proper vaccination.

FAISALABAD: Vaccination is not given to about 90 per cent of livestock in the country, leading to low milk and meat productivity and that underscores the need for educating farmers about modern methods of farming at grass-roots level.

This was discussed in a meeting between an Australian delegation, led by Dr Debbie Templeton, Managing Direc­tor of Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and Univer­sity of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad here on Friday.

Templeton stressed the need for establishing an institute of agricultural research policies in Pakistan in order to produce manpower and give recommendations based on research to the government for developing the agricultural sector.

She said social sciences played a pivotal role in progress of any country, adding ACIAR supported Australia’s agricultural scientists to use their skills for the benefit of developing countries as well as Australia.

The UAF vice chancellor said the Punjab government had approved 300 foreign scholarships for UAF students which would strengthen human development in the country. He said foreign scholarships for the degree of agricultural research policy would also be offered under the chief minister’s scheme.

He said the country was lagging behind in cyber extension services and more steps were needed in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2012.