Three days workshop on Tick Borne Diseases

Tick borne diseases are posing threats to livestock sector.This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while chairing the inaugural session of three days workshop titled tick borne diseases arranged by Department of Parasitology, UAF. Addressing on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor said the livestock help in poverty alleviation among the small farming community to earn their livelihood. He said the country is blessed with 70 million cattle and buffaloes. The small farmers are depending on the animals to win their bread and butter. He said enhanced efforts are needed to fight the challenges of different diseases, playing havoc with animal lives. He also suggested raising awareness among the farming community about the latest practices. Talking about the UAF, he said the UAF is launching the Centre for Advanced Studies in Food Security and Agriculture funded by USAID in order to face the challenge of food for ever-increasing population. Dr Shahid Karim from the University of Southern Mississippi, USA said that tick borne diseases were the serious challenges, causing the ailment among the humans and livestock as well. He said that it had disturbed as many as 30,000 people are fell victims to the tick borne diseases. He said that in Pakistan, the diseases are posing threat to as many as 70 percent of the people. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Dean Prof Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi said the livestock sector had the potential to change the fate of the national economy. He said that it is need of the hour to step up efforts in order to cope with the different diseases becoming responsibly for low yield. Chairman Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said the workshop was meant to raise the awareness among the masses about the issue. He vowed to continue their efforts to address the issue of national interest, resulting in progress and prosperity.