UAF VC Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan addreses the participants of world camel day seminar

Speakers of world camel day seminar urged the rural masses for camel production and the government to establish forward and backward linkages in proper marketing its meat and milk to other countries as farmer can earn $ 2 dollars by selling one litter milk due to its rich medicinal value. One day seminar was organized by the Department of Livestock Management in collaboration with Camel Association of Pakistan at New Senate Hall of the University on Friday morning. Addressing the participants as chief guest, UAF VC Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that University feels pride in organizing such events of great significant which would benefit the rural masses. He expressed his dismay over non existence of camel market in cholistan and desert area adding that government need to establish at least one animal market at every city of the province so that the local farmers could have the place for their trade and investment in the sector. Dr. Khan said that the ultimate goal of the University is to work for uplifting the living standard of disadvantage group of the country. He told that he used to live in Middle East for one decade where any proposal for date or camel is not declined as both have been a part of their daily life for hundreds of years. He was of the view that an International Camel Conference must be held at the hub of camels. Former Livestock Minister Mumtaz Manhais highlighted the significance of white camel said that in Arab states, the milk as well as the meat of white camel is considered revered and is being sold on high prices, and we have the potential to export white camel to the states and earn heavy foreign exchange. He asked the government to extend full assistance to the livestock farmers so that they can grab the tremendous export potential in the neighboring countries adding that in Iran one kilogram of cow and mutton meat could be exported @ rupees 1200 and 1500 respectively. He said that in India, Malaysia and Thailand we can find majority of high level agricultural hierarchy graduated from University of Agriculture Faisalabad which is a hallmark of its long lasting glory. Describing the foreign aid to Pakistan a stigma says that such kind of help usually provided on special grounds such as handicap people. Mumtaz Khan Manhais told that 1st International Camel Conference would be held at Bahawalpur under the auspicious of IUB, which, after getting approval from the HEC, decorated him with the status of full professor. Dean, Faculty of Animal Husbandry Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar said that holding of seminars, training workshops and symposium is an everyday business of the University but he intends that the proposed Int. Camel Conference should be held at Bahawalpur. He also highlighted the medicinal significance of camel and extended his cooperation for further R&D activities with reference to camel. Dr. Muhammad Younas Chairman of Livestock Department, while opening the house told that out of nearly one hundred camel population of the country, Baochistan was very rich with 41% followed by Punjab with 21 percent camel population. He said that globally, Africa is a big host of camel with 20 million of its population. Dr. Muhammad Afzal Hussain told that global meat trade of camel is around 10 billion $ followed by its milk with 7 billion $ annually. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Mughal from Livestock and Dairy Development Ministry, Dr. Muhammad Abdullah UVAS, Dr. Tanvir Hussain from IUB and others also spoke on the occasion. Later the participants organized a walk comprises camel riding aiming at create awareness of camel production.