A two-day Livestock Breeders Forum focused on “Improving Livestock Breeding in Sindh” began on Saturday. The event, organized by Sindh Agricultural University, Tandojam, in collaboration with the Sindh Higher Education Commission, aims to address the challenges facing the region’s livestock sector and explore innovative solutions for improving breed quality.
The forum was inaugurated by Sindh’s Provincial Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, who spoke about the genetic deficiencies and low productivity affecting Sindh’s indigenous livestock breeds.
He emphasized the need for advanced technologies like artificial insemination to improve breed quality and revealed the creation of the Sindh Breeding Authority to oversee and support these efforts.
Minister Malkani also highlighted the global trend of prioritizing quality over quantity in livestock production, stating that advancing livestock breeding could be a key strategy for poverty reduction in the region. He underscored the importance of expert research in driving improvements in breed quality.
Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri, Vice-Chancellor of Sindh Agricultural University, echoed the minister’s remarks, stressing the urgent need to preserve and improve indigenous breeds such as the Red Sindhi cow and Kundi buffalo. He revealed the Sindh government’s long-term breed improvement plan aimed at restoring and enhancing these breeds.
Dr. Marri also shared insights into the historical importance of the Red Sindhi cow, noting its origins trace back 5,000 years to Mohenjo-Daro. He cited international examples, including Brazil and Russia, where genetic improvements have significantly increased milk production. He expressed confidence that the forum would play a critical role in preserving pure breeds, increasing productivity, and contributing to the country’s agricultural economy. Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, and former Secretary of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Baz Muhammad Junejo, also participated in the forum, discussing the challenges Karachi faces with its large slaughterhouses and the need for better nutrition and clinical research to improve livestock breeding.
The event brought together experts from various institutions, including MNS Agriculture University Multan and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as prominent farmers and representatives from private livestock and pharmaceutical companies.
