Livestock experts have emphasised the need for promoting the best breeds of horses and adopting state-of-the-art practices in order to strengthen the human friendly animal breeds. Addressing a workshop titled 'Equine Breeding' at New Senate Hall, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, on Saturday.
The session was presided over by Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan vice-chancellor, University of Agriculture, while Imtiaz Hussain Sherazi, Director General were present in the workshop and Remount, Veterinary and Farms Corps (RVFC), was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the University is used to organise Horse and Cattle Show every year in order to promoting best breeds of the horses and cattle. He said that the University is committed to providing quality education and solving the problems of the people especially farming community by conducting high-level researches and imparting trainings to increase the productivity of the country.
He said that UAF's Faculty of Veterinary Science has been playing a significant role in flourishing the livestock and poultry production in the country since 1962. The Faculty has so far trained 1,935 graduates for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). He said that University has the pride to introduce first of its kind, DVM degree, in the country
Director General Major General Imtiaz Hussain Sherazi said that the horses used to serve the masses in the form of source of transportation in peace and in the war. He said that the horses help transport food and other things to the army officials working at the hilly areas where use of other means of transportation is not possible. He said the government has provided trucks to transport the purchased horses at the RVFS farms from farmers. Before it the farmers were supposed to transport it to the RVFS, adding the burden on them. He said the department has also set up laboratory to provide medical facility for the horses. He stressed the need to organise training workshops for the breeders and farming community that polish the skills of farmers, helping boost up the sector.
Faculty of veterinary Sciences Dean Professor Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi said our clinical scientists had initiated outreach programmes with ambulatory clinics to some villages. Research on medicinal plants by our pharmacologists has revealed a large number of indigenous herbs. He said that it provided opportunity to the farming community to enhance people-to-people and experts contact.
UAF scientist Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi gave the training to the farmers about reproduction of mare in which he briefed in length the audience about the modern practices. He said caretaking and breeding of horses are the tough jobs that need committed people. District Remount Officer Mehboob Ahmad Butt said Chenab Breeding Area is devoted to perform the said task round the clock.
He said that it was set up in 1901 to provide best breed of horses to British Army. He said that in the unit, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad and Sargodha districts are included from where they sent the horses to the Pak Army's Remount from where these are being used for the defence purpose at hilly areas. Professor Dr Ghulam Muhammad and Lieutenant Colonel Zahid Iqbal also spoke on the occasion.