Increasing output of livestock: scientists for developing farm animal genetic resources

Scientists have called for developing farm animal genetic resources to increase the production of livestock manifold and to meet the challenges of increasing demand of livestock in the country.
Addressing the workshop on "Implementation of development and application of decision support tools to conserve and sustainability use and genetic diversity in indigenous livestock and wild relatives" was organised at the New Senate Hall, University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
The speakers said that effective management of animal genetic is a prerequisite to meet the challenges of global food security, sustainable development and would provide livelihoods for the millions of people.
He said that many livestock breeds have unique traits of combination. He also laid stress on the need to adopt modern techniques to raise the income of the farmers.
The Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics and Endowment Fund Secretariat in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute organised the seminar which was presided over by university Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.
Sri Lankan scientist and Farm Animal Genetic Resource Regional Co-ordinator M N M Ibrahim was the chief guest while Dr Asif Ali Director External Linkage also spoke on the occasion. Professor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said by the grace of Allah the, country experiences all variety of seasons so that we can develop all breeds of livestock. He stressed the need to use genetic resources that would help increase production of milk and meat.
Dr Iqrar said that the most significant threads to the diversity of the genetic resources are crossbreeding and breed placement. VC UAF said that the growing use of exotic breeds led to the extinction or serve erosion of genetic diversity in traditional breeds.
Professor Ibrahim said that this collaborative effort is underway in Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Vietnam and Pakistan. He said that major challenges to addressing these challenges are the lack of appropriate policy framework for the sustainable management of the genetics resources and the inadequate knowledge of the value of indigenous breed.
Professor Sajjad Khan said that the main target of the project is the conservation of indigenous livestock for future generations and their increased contribution to livelihoods through enhanced use.
He further said that the immediate objective of the project is to develop and to make available effective tools to support decision-making for the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous FAnGR and their wild relatives in Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and Vietnam through the proposed project the four partner countries are seeking to build on their current framework for the conservation of genetic resources and strengthen policies and programmes to conserve and use FAnGR.
A large number of faculty members and students participated the inaugural session. Dr Asif Ali presented vote of thanks.