Islamabad (PR): Livestock is the future of small holder’s poor farmers in Pakistan. Sindh Government fully support the AIP-PARC new initiatives for the promotion of agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan, the prosperity of country is around the democracy, this was stated by Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Dr. Nadeem Amjad on the occasion of inauguration of Small Ruminants Model cum Training Farm in Umerkot, Kundri, Sindh. He said that Agriculture Scientists should focus & target the small farmers with modern technology transfer and educated the farmer community with new innovations / verities and new breeds. He said to the different stakeholders (Officials from different department, Scientist and Farm Community) and briefed about research and development activities launched in different ecologies of Pakistan under PARC system. Through these valuable research and development the poor community got higher productivity in rural areas of Pakistan. M/o NFSR and PARC always on call of Govt. of Sindh for the uplift of Sindh farmer’s community.
Nawab Muhammad Taimur Talpur advisor to Chief Minister Sindh inaugurate the shed and grace the honour as Chief Guest of the seminar. The advisor appreciated the initiatives taken by ILRI with coordination of AZRI (PARC) Umerkot.
Dr. Muhammad Islam presented overall view of the AIP (Agriculture Innovation Program) in Pakistan including Sindh Province. Dr. Shahid Rafiq Member ASD, PARC, briefed about the livestock production systems in Pakistan. Dr. Razzaq Animal Sciences PARC explained in detail regarding the concept of Small Ruminant Model Farming in Pakistan. He pointed out that in AIP Program 10 model farms have been
completed out of these three are in Umerkot, Sindh. He emphases for having at least 20 more with rearing specially specific sheep/goats breed as nucleus flocks. Dr. Attaullah, Director AZRI Umerkot briefed about the research and development activities including model farm launched in Umerkot. Public representative including elected Chairman and other also addressed to the event and highlighted the problems of small farmers.
Dr. Nadeem Amjad and Dr. Aamer Irshad planted Pitheclobicum dulce (Jungle Jalabi) at AZRI farm. The team then presided to Kunri to attend (Inaugurate of Animals Sheds under ICARDA) at Pathanabad near Kunri, where local farmers constructed the animal sheds on sharing base where 50% were paid by ILRI-ICARDA and 50% by farmers. Each shed having the cost of Rs.700,000/- only. The main idea / objectives of the model farm was to demonstrate integrated model farm concept to small ruminant’s farmers for higher productivity linked with improved value chain system. In addition, development of integrated farmer participatory animal-fodder-range production approaches for proper benefits to the poor farmers. It is anticipated that through these model farms different proven technologies indirectly involved in small ruminants production like feed, fodder and range will be disseminated to the farmers at door steps. The development of linkages of farmers with quality service providers will also improve the overall production.
Dr. Nadeem Amjad Chairman PARC, Dr. Aamer Irshad Chief Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Planning Commission, Dr. Ahmed Bakhash Mahar Member Plant Sciences, Dr. Muhammad Islam Senior Scientist ICARDA, Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad, PD RADP, Dr. Shahid Rafiq, Member Animal Sciences, Sardar Ghulam Mustafa, Director Protocol, Dr. Amjad Parvez Director General SARC and Dr. Abdul Razzaq SSO, ASI, visited AZRI, PARC, Umerkot station. After lunch break they visited the farmer field in the Thar Desert, to monitor the RADP-Project’s activities. Delegation visited the different grasses and horticultural plants at village Ratnor tehsil Chhacharo. After that they have visited AZRI field thoroughly and appreciated to see the all research activities. They visited agro-forestry cultivated on four acres. Team visited Alternative Energy Source for pumping irrigation water.
