Enter big bird: Ostrich farm to be set up at arid agricultural varsity

The industry has high profit potential in the international market.

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Ostrich Company (POC) will be setting up a breeding farm at Pir Mahar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (AAU).

POC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raja Tahir Latif had a meeting with the university’s vice chancellor (VC) Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad where he proposed to venture into the international ostrich meat market and is also keen to launch its products locally.

AAU in collaboration with POC will help farmers set up ostrich farms and will provide complete training, technical assistance, consultancy, medication to ensure safe and risk-free investment in the farming and will help farmers in managing every stage, from chick rearing and breeding to hatching and brooding.

The VC said that the climate and land of Pakistan suits the initiative and urged farmers to avail the opportunity.



“Ostrich farming is a real solution to overcome the shortage of meat in the country and could earn foreign exchange,” he said, appreciating the efforts of POC to promote the industry. He assured full support from AAU for the project.

Meanwhile, Latif highlighted the benefits of farming the towering birds, saying, “It is considered to be among the most profitable agricultural projects in the world and is often referred to as the farms of future because of the high profit potential.”

Both parties also agreed to hold a seminar on ostrich farming at AAU to raise awareness.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2013.