The International Workshop on Diary Science Park concluded successfully

The International Workshop on Diary Science Park, November 21-23, concluded at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar. During the last three days of the workshop, experts from academia, research, extension and industry, policy makers and farmers community exchanged ideas to work out a comprehensive plan for the development of dairy industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.

Speaking on the third day Professor Dr. Azam Khan Kakar from BUIET University of Baluchistan reviewed the biotechnological developments in reproduction science and recommended that modern biotechnology techniques should be used to minimize the reproduction and production losses in the dairy industry. Prof Kakar is the pioneer scientist in cloning and has been member of the team developing the Dolly sheep. Dr. Momen Khan presented a paper on Azikheli buffalo as part of his PhD studies, and highlighted the need for preserving the genetic resource of this breed, as this breed thrive well in the Northern mountainous terrain of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dr. Khushi Muhammad from UVAS, Lahore, a world-known microbiologist and founder of WTO Quality Control Lab of the UVAS Lahore presented his work on locally developed vaccines which are more effective against foot and mouth disease and hemorrhagic septicemia diseases. He recommended work on research and local production of the vaccines.

Malik Ghazala of PASTIC, made a presentation on the literature searching services made available by Pakistan Science Foundation. Prof Azam recommended reduction of the cost of the services for reducing financial burden on the students and facilitating them for access to high quality papers. Prof Qureshi seconded him and added the PASTIC may expand their services through linkage with the HEC digital library and other available search engines and for enhancing budget for such activities. Prof Subhan Qureshi was next to present his paper and explained the phenomenon of stress development in dairy animals through literature review and his own findings. He proposed management strategies for keeping dairy animals stress free to improve the production and reproduction performance. Dr. Kauser Zeb concluded that non-conventional feed resources such as sugar beet pulp should be explored to minimize the nutrients of dairy animals. It addition, livestock extension work should record the field observation in a systematic way. This will help to identify the problems faced by farmers and will help to design strategies to find out solutions for these problems.

Dr. Sarzamin Khan presented his findings on hair follicles as an indictor of pregnancy diagnosis in dairy animals, a study conducted during his postdoc stay in Japan. He recommended that alternative methods should be developed for the early detection of pregnancy. Changes in body-hair weight and diameter are a potential method. However, these finding should be further studied as for development of a standardize tool for pregnancy diagnosis.

The conference was concluded on Wednesday afternoon with Haji Hidayatullah, Minister for Livestock was the Chief Guest. He said that livestock has many benefits for human beings, ranging from milk and meat to feaces. He further said that livestock is money for poor people for long time and development of this industry will employ many people. The vice chancellor at the end thanked the Minister and all the guests. He ensured his support for the implementation of the recommendations of the conference. Before the final words of the Minister, Prof M Subhan Qureshi presented the salient recommendations of the committee headed by Prof Zahoor Swati, Dean FCPS and comprising members from the extension, research, SMEDA, LTC and KPCCI. Dr Asad Sultan and Dr Nazir Ahmad (Jr) had already recorded the recommendations during various sessions. Based on these recommendations a comprehensive work plan will be developed for the development of dairy industry. The work plan will be implemented with the help of the Agriculture Ministry of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Khan Bahadar Marwat appreciated the developments made in the livestock sector across the world and compared the growth rates exhibited in Europe, the Americas, China, India and Pakistan. He reviewed the progress made through the two mega projects of Dairy Pakistan and Livestock and Dairy Development Board. He was hopeful of the out come of the workshop through the comprehensive recommendations and advised the committee for finalization of the draft and so that it could be considered at various fora for implementation. He thanked the HEC, the Director Generals Livestock (Extension and Research) and LTC for their close cooperation at all stages of preparation for the workshop. Inter-cooperation, Ghazi Brothers, Alltech Pakistan and  ICI were thanked for their financial support. KPCCI and SMEDA were acknowledged. Support of all the universities and professional organizations from all the provinces, AJK and Pakistan Army were acknowledged. ICRISAT-CGIAR India, Engormix.com and other organizations were thanked for their cooperation. He congratulated the organizers for arranging such a graceful event.

The two ministers Abrab Muhammad Ayub Jan and Haji Hidayatullah Khan were thanked for gracing the inaugural and concluding sessions of the Workshop, respectively. The delegates visited stalls exhibited by the above agencies in addition to Nasim Traders, Romer Lab, PSTIC-PSF, The Dairy Tech, Feed Mill, Semen lab and Poultry science Department also exhibited their semen-commercial activities through stalls. The Website administrator Mr Amin was appreciated for providing coverage to the workshop in the shape of documents, press releases and photographs. The Mr Amjad of Business recorder and Mr Farooqi of Sohni Dharti TV were thanked for their cooperation. The students met the Minister and appraised him of the internship activities at various government and private institutions for  a period of six months. A financial incentive was demanded for this purpose, to which the Minster, very kindly agreed, through a special project to be initiated by the Faculty Administration. Dr Sohail Ahamd was advised by the Dean for further action.

At the end the Minister was awarded a shield by the Vice Chancellor and bag with conference materials by the Chief Organizer.