UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Younus meets UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali

FAISALABAD March 11: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore and University of Agriculture Faisalabad will pace up joint efforts to address the food security challenges with academia and research. It was agreed upon at a meeting of UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali with UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Younus at the Vice Chancellor Secretariat. Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the country has a diversified economic base with agriculture sector which is contributing 24 percent to the Gross Domestic product. He said that per animal productivity was low compared to the developed world for which we have to expedite the efforts. He stressed upon the need to disseminate the latest technique among the farming community to raise the production. He said that innovative solutions would pave a way for the development in the sector. Talking about water shortage, he added that with the passing of time, the water scarcity crisis has taken a nasty turn. The actual surface water availability was 103 MAF a decade ago which has declined to 92 MAF. Prof Dr Muhammad Younus said that agrarian and livestock growth was a critical driver of economic growth, employment, and poverty alleviation. He said animal husbandry is a cornerstone of rural economy. As many as more than 8 million rural families are deeply depended with livestock production. This sector accounted for around 35-40 percent of their total income. He added that the UAF and UVAS were enjoying excellent ties and working for the noble cause of the food security. The ties will be further strengthened.