Experts stress modern tech for local livestock breeds

IV Report

KARACHI: A two-day meeting of experts on indigenous livestock development and economic challenges for farmers has identified areas for improvement, highlighting the need for adopting modern technologies for livestock breeding and sustainability.

The "Livestock Breeders Forum (LBF)" was jointly organised by Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, and the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) on December 7-8 at Karachi. The forum featured national and international experts, senior government dignitaries and officials, and leading farmers.

Key recommendations from the LBF include adopting advanced genetic technologies and artificial reproduction programmes to enhance local breeds, improve disease resistance, and increase productivity. Experts also suggested minimising inbreeding, expanding breeding services to goats, donkeys, and horses, and measures to prevent the premature slaughter of buffalo calves.

The experts jointly concluded with suggestions for promotion of the local production of soybeans to meet livestock protein needs, and called for strengthening embryo transfer laboratories and genomic facilities to develop high-quality breeds. Subsidies for sex-selected semen and embryo transfer technologies were also suggested to ensure wider adoption of the advancements, while urging the government to invest in research, farmer training, and awareness programmes while formalising the sector through livestock keeper registration.

Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah agreed that there is significant potential for government support in the livestock sector. He suggested exploring partnerships with neighbouring countries to acquire superior animal breeds and remarked that grants for improving livestock quality should directly be provided to farmers.

Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani highlighted the challenges faced in maintaining Sindh's indigenous livestock breeds, citing genetic deficiencies as a major cause of decreased productivity. He emphasised the need for artificial insemination to enhance breed quality, disclosing the establishment of the Sindh Breeding Authority will play a proactive role in this regard.

Minister for Social Welfare Mir Tariq Ali Talpur recognised the significant role of livestock in addressing economic challenges in underprivileged areas.

SAU Vice Chancellor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri stressed the urgency of preserving indigenous livestock breeds, adding agriculture and livestock sectors could outperform industries in driving economic growth. A 6% annual increase in productivity in agriculture and livestock could reduce poverty by 50% over the next decade, according to Dr Marri.

Professor Emeritus Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Memon, speaking online from the United States, highlighted the reliance on modern technology in global livestock advancements and urged veterinary professionals and young experts to seize the numerous opportunities available in the field.

LBF included technical discussions led by noted experts, such as Dr Syed Ghiyasuddin Shah Rashdi, Dr Nazir Ahmed Kalhoro, Dr Abdullah Sethar, Dr Hizbullah Bhutto, Dr Huma Rizwana, Syed Zarar Haider Shah, Dr Parshotam Khatri, Dr Chandra Kumar, Dr Aqeel Ahmed Memon, Dr Ghulam Bilal, Dr Mubarak Jatoi, Dr Seema Baloch, Dr Saeed Ahmed Soomro, a farmer leader Ghulam Akbar Dars, and others, who enriched the sessions with valuable insights and findings.

SHEC Secretary Moeenuddin Siddiqui, Secretary of Universities and Boards, Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Matsuda Kazonori from the Japanese Consulate and a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also attended LBF.

  

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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