Lahore: 750 foreigners to attend Asian Buffalo Congress

[Naveed Yaseen]

OVER 750 people, including experts and scientists, from across the world have so far been registered for the 6th Asian Buffalo Congress being organised by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in collaboration with the Livestock and Dairy Development (L&DD) Department, Punjab, and the Asian Buffalo Association (ABA) from October 27 to 30.

According to a press release on Tuesday, Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ahmed Ali Aulakh on the progress of arrangements for the congress, ABA President Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said 335 research and technical papers had been received from scientists/experts from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippine, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US, Venezuela and Pakistan for the technical sessions. He said the theme of the congress was “Buffalo -Prospective Animal for Milk and Meat Enterprise” while its main goal was to disseminate knowledge and share experiences for the benefit of sustainable buffalo production.

About the importance of buffalo, Prof Pasha said buffalos’ share in the country’s total milk production was 65 percent while its share in beef was 50 percent. He said the Nili-Ravi was the best milk producing breed of buffalo in the world and the Nili-Ravi and Kundi buffalos were exported to China, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka and African countries while buffalo beef was exported to Middle East countries. He said Asia housed 57 percent buffalo population with China on the top and Pakistan on the second number in buffalo population.

Speaking on the occasion, the livestock minister said export potential of the country’s livestock was extraordinary and development of livestock sector was a way to poverty reduction and rural development. He suggested an informative seminar should be arranged for small farmers during the buffalo fair.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz said the hundreds of foreign scientists were participating in the congress, so it would be a great opportunity of learning for the country’s scientists.

He said that the UVAS would sign two MoUs during the congress, one with the Putra University, Malaysia, and second with a Chinese buffalo research institute.

Buffalo Research Institute Chief Research Officer Dr Mushtaq Aziz also spoke on the occasion while Director General (Extension) L&DD, Punjab, Dr Irfan Zahid was also present.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=192701