Artificial insemination 'poor utilisation restricting livestock productivity'

Poor utilisation of artificial insemination is restricting livestock productivity, resulting in lower meat and milk per-animal production compared to developed nations. It was stated by speakers at training workshop titled "application of diagnostics ultrasound in animal reproduction" arranged by Department of Theriogenology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. It is the part of ongoing Rabi festival staged by UAF.
Addressing on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan called for adopting value chain methods, genetic resource and artificial insemination in order to ensure the food security. He said artificial insemination (AI) of animals played a vital role in the improvement of livestock breeding, adding the country was one of the top producers of milk. "But, due to low per animal production and traditional way, we are lagging behind from rest of the world."
He stressed upon the need to educate the farming community about shunning the traditional methods and replace it to modern practices. Society of Animal Reproduction Pakistan (SARP) Pattern in Chief Dr Manzoor Ahmad Khan lamented that the per animal milk production in the country was only 1,500 litre per annum compared to at-least 8,000 litre in other countries. He said there were some breeds in Punjab form where we are getting 30 litre of milk per day but "we had failed to maintain milk capacity of breeds because of poor AI practices."
He said AI process had failed due to improper selection of quality bulls. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Dean Professor Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi said they were working on strengthening the livestock. He said the adaptation of the artificial insemination would pave the way to progress for the country. He said poverty alleviation was directly linked to the agricultural sector and role of livestock sector in that regard could not be ignored.
Department Chairman Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi said his department was taking all possible steps to strengthen the livestock sector through genetic resources, and animal reproductive health. He told the audience that workshop was the step towards building capacity regarding the awareness about usage of ultrasound in animal reproduction. Professor Dr Nasim Ahmad from UVAS Lahore said since 1970, the ultrasounds technology was being used for the animals. He gave the training about ultrasound in animal reproduction in length.