Awareness Session on “Mechanism of silage preparation” at SB Farm in Village number 71 JB

Although Pakistan was having 50 million animals but average milk production is very low compared to other countries, which was main hurdle to flourishing the sector. This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing an outreach programme and awareness session on “Mechanism of silage preparation” held at SB Farm in Village number 71 JB arranged by UAF in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and SB Farms. Addressing as a chief guest, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that only two percent of the farming community was getting 8000 litre milk per animal in annum where the rest of famers were getting 3,000 per animal per annum, which was a question mark on the way of development. He said that in developed nation, the people slaughter the animal giving the said quantity of milk, considering them below the production. He stressed the need to ensure the availability of silage to animals in order to increase the production of the country as proper usage of silage was prerequisite for it. He said that the 90 percent of the farming community was the small farmers who purchase the fodder from the market if we provide them silage, they will obviously buy it, resulting in boosting up the production. He urged the private sector to invest in silage industry in order to jack up milk and meat production and earn foreign exchange. Faculty of Animal Husbandry Dean Dr. Muhammad Sarwar said that the famers spend their most of time in producing hay. So if we transfer the technique of silage to the farmers that would help to spare the time of farmers and the manpower and it (manpower) can be used for other constructive purpose, he added. SB Farm owner Ch Bashrat Aziz Jaspal said that they had set up the state-of-the-art farm five years ago in which latest practices were being implemented. Besides it, we are taking students from various universities including UAF for internships to deliver them practical knowledge based on science. He said that they were working with the use of latest machinery. But in the summer season, a reduction in milk production is observed. To cope with reduction, silage helps in maintaining as well as increasing the milk production. Buffaloes Association President Haji Saeed said that Pakistan was blessed with the good species of cows and buffaloes. But it is need of the hour to make researches on these and make them more refined to meet the standards of international market by increasing per animal milk production based on nutrition. Former MPA Mian Muhammd Farooq, Dr Karim Buksh, Dr Meher un Nisa, Dr Asif, Dr Ashraf, Mr Qamar Shakil and other notables also spoke. MNA Ch Saeed Iqbal presented the vote of thanks.