The Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute (GXBRI), Nanning, China and University of Veterinary and Animal Science Lahore on Thursday signed an agreement for setting up of 'Sino-Pakistan Joint Buffalo Research Centre'. According to the university's spokesman, the centre is aimed at building a scientific platform for joint research and long-term development in the field of buffalo science between China and Pakistan.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha and GXBRI Director signed the agreement at the Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute Nanning. Professor Pasha paid a five-day visit to the Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute to promote cooperation in the field of buffalo science. Other partners of the agreement from Pakistan are Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal, Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, and Buffalo Breeders Association, Punjab.
The Sino-Pakistan Joint Buffalo Research Centre will be based at GXBRI, Nanning, in China and also at any location in Pakistan. Under the agreement, the two parties will exchange students, academic experts and related entrepreneurs and conduct joint projects in animal breeding, genetics/reproduction, feeding/nutrition, dairy science and technology transfer.
Both the parties will nominate two permanent members each to set up a 4-member scientific committee which will act as liaison and help in the provision of required material, set up project proposals on buffalo development and arrangement of academic and project meetings.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, Professor Pasha said that buffalo is an important animal in the third world and a source of livelihood for millions of landless poor. He said that buffalo makes an important contribution to the economy and overall social development of Pakistan by producing milk, meat, hides and draught power. Pakistan is rich in buffalo genetics while China in technology and synergy of the two will work wonders for buffalo development in the two countries, he added.