The Agriculture Sector Linkages Program (ASLP) dairy project has been running in the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore since 2007 as a collaborative initiative between the Pakistani and Australian governments. ASLP 2nd project concluding ceremony was held at UVAS here on Tuesday. UVAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha chaired the concluding ceremony and distributed shields among the extension workers.
Project leaders of the ASLP dairy project Dr David McGill and Dr Hassan Mahmood Warriach and a large number of farmers and extension workers from Punjab and Sindh livestock department were also present. Speaking on the occasion, UVAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha appreciated the achievements of the ASLP dairy project and said it is one of the best extension programmes in Pakistan. He said that ASLP extension programme has wonderful results as it has helped increase production of smallholder dairy farmers. He thanked the Australian government for its continuous support for this programme. He also said in future with the collaboration of ASLP and UVAS will launch FM radio and video conference services for providing guidance and facilitation of the farmers in Ravi Campus Pattoki. Dr Hassan Mahmood Warriach urged to provide free of cost extension services in the country. He said that in future ASLP programme will more focus on the profitability of small holders' farmers.
Dr David McGill announced ASLP dairy programme will also extend for the next five year here in Pakistan. The objectives of the forum was to share the outcomes of the 2nd phase of the programme for the productivity and profitability of the small holder farmers were significantly enhance capacity building, technical knowledge and communication skills of the extension workers from livestock department Punjab and Sindh.