The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) on Thursday distributed 30 goats among the six rural women as a step towards poverty alleviation

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) on Thursday distributed 30 goats among the six rural women as a step towards poverty alleviation. In this regard, goat distribution ceremony was arranged at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. The initiatives are being taken under the project “empowerment of lady farmers and poverty alleviation through beetal goats”. As many as 60 rural women are given beetal goats, five goats for each, in two years under the project. Addressing on the occasion, TIKA Country Coordinator Mustafa Giray Tezel said the project is meant to raise the income of the rural women farmers that will result in reducing poverty. He said that the cooperation in other areas would be enhanced for the betterment of people. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that both countries are enjoying good relations, having similarities in traditions etc. He said Turkey always stood with Pakistan in the difficult times including earthquake, floods; and helped us in poverty alleviation. He said that Pakistan development is directly linked to the rural development. Special focus is needed to address the problems of rural population. FVS Dean Prof Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi said the project was initiated two years ago followed by a survey keeping in view economic problems of rural people. He said that most of the population was living in the rural area. He said that 26 students of faculty had visited Turkey under the student exchange programme, helping in brining the people more closer. Director Institute of Agri and Resource Economic Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq said that 51 percen of the population consist of women. It is need of the hour to involve women into the economic activities, he added. Tika Expert Galip Yilmaz also spoke. .