The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a developmental project worth Rs 38.050 million for the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore to set up the small ruminants training and research centre at Bhunike near Pattoki. The Centre, which would be completed in two years, would help university improve the efficiency of different systems of livestock production, including breeding and feeding.

The Centre would be helpful in meeting increasing livestock production in the rapidly changing environment.

Giving details of the project, the vice chancellor of the university Professor Dr Manzoor Ahmad said major objectives envisaged in the project were to strengthen technical and research facilities and produce highly qualified manpower.

It would also help conduct problem-oriented applied research on systems of raising sheep and goats, develop appropriate technologies for small ruminant's production systems, promote collaboration between farmers and livestock-related institutions/organisations.

New concepts are emerging in the field of livestock production, which emphasised the need for future research that should be focused on most economical, efficient and sustainable systems of livestock production.

The implementation of the project would go a long way in increasing the income of sheep and goat raisers by enhanced productivity, better healthcare and reduction in animals' mortality rate.

The project would also result in earning of more foreign exchange to the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005