Over 750 people from different countries of the world have so far registered for the 6th Asian Buffalo Congress being arranged by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore in collaboration with Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab and the Asian Buffalo Association.
The congress will be held from October 27 to 30, 2009 under the patronage of Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. This was disclosed in a briefing given by the Asian Buffalo Association President, Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha to the Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Ahmed Ali Aulakh here on Tuesday on the progress of arrangements for the congress.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz and Director General (Extension) L&DD Punjab Dr Irfan Zahid were also present on this occasion. Pasha claimed 335 research and technical papers have been received from scientists/experts from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippine, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US and Venezuela for the technical sessions.
Professor Pasha said that the theme of the congress is "Buffalo-Prospective animal for milk and meat enterprise" while its main goal is to disseminate knowledge and share experiences for the benefit of sustainable buffalo production. He said that the scientific programme of the congress would comprise two symposia, nine technical sessions and a plenary of invited speakers to deliberate on the present situation and future perspective of buffalo production.
He said that technical sessions will cover the following topics: Buffalo Nutrition and Feed Resources, Buffalo Farmers and Industry Forum, Buffalo Milk and Milk Products, Environment, Marketing, Buffalo breeding and Genetics, Buffalo Meat and Meat Products, Socio-economic and Welfare Aspects and Human Resource Development and Training. The symposia topics will be Biotechnology and Genetics Improvement in Buffalo to Enhance Milk and Meat Products.
He said that a National Buffalo Fair-2009 would coincide the buffalo congress at the Buffalo Research Institute (BRI) Pattoki. A buffalo competition will be arranged among seven classes of Nili Ravi and Kundi buffaloes with various prizes for the winners. He said that a trade exhibition has also been planned during the congress.
Leading national and multinational companies of dairy, meat, veterinary, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, feed and equipment will participate in this event. An essay contest has also been arranged for the school students. It is envisaged that this event would provide a setting for match making of businesses and experts who in turn would lead to export of buffalo meat and other products.
This Congress will be a good opportunity to increase the International Trade. Speaking on the occasion, the livestock minister said that export potential of the country's livestock is extraordinary and development of livestock sector is the only way to poverty reduction and rural development.
He said although Pakistan is 5th top milk producing country, yet much work is needed to be done on improvement of milk processing. He said that development of livestock sector is among the government priorities and small farmers are being given financial support for the purpose.
He lauded the efforts of the UVAS in arranging the Asian Buffalo Congress and assured the University of Punjab government's full support to make this event a success. The minister suggested that an informative seminar should also be arranged for small farmers for their benefit during the buffalo fair.