Five-days Hands-On Scientific Training titled “Animal genetic resources; Strategies for improved use and conservation” successfully concluded at Lasbela, Balochistan. The activity was organized by National Center for Livestock Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (NCLBG&G)-Sub-Center, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS), Uthal, Balochistan in collaboration with NCLBG&G- Lead center PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab. More than 25 faculty, postgraduate students, researchers and professionals from Balochistan participated in the training. In the inaugural ceremony, Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Khan (National Training Coordinator-NCLBG&G Project) introduced the project objective of capacity building of all stakeholders for improving the productivity of local breeds through modern genetic technologies. He thanked the Prof. Dr. Ahmed Nawaz Khosa (Scientific Director-NCLBG&G Sub-Center LUAWMS) for managing the training at a very short notice. On the occasion, chief guest Dr. Jalal Faiz (Pro Vice Chancellor- LUAWMS) emphasized the need of paying attention to the people of Balochistan being custodian of rich resource of agriculture and livestock.
The concluding ceremony of the said training was held on March 17, 2023 at the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, LUAWMS, Balochistan. On the occasion, Dr. Ghulam Bilal (Central Project Director) briefed the participants about the project and its national importance. He emphasized that national level concerted efforts are required for breed improvement in the country under the umbrella of NCLBG&G. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sajjad Khan (Vice Chancellor, CUVAS-Bahawalpur) was the chief guest. He encouraged the stakeholders from Balochistan to take the lead in conserving and improving animal genetic resources for improving overall livestock productivity of the country. He appreciated the efforts of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Nawaz Khosa (Scientific Director-NCLBG&G Sub-Center LUAWMS), Dr. Ghulam Bilal (Central Project Director), Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Khan (National Training Coordinator-NCLBG&G Project) and their team for organizing training for such an important aspects of livestock. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sajjad Khan (Vice Chancellor, CUVAS-Bahawalpur) also signed MoU with the LUAWMS and inaugurated the ABG Lab established under NCLBG&G project.
Dr. Jalal Faiz (Pro- Vice Chancellor- LUAWMS) thanked the Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sajjad Khan (Vice Chancellor, CUVAS-Bahawalpur), Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Khan (National Training Coordinator-NCLBG&G Project), Dr. Ghulam Bilal (Central Project Director) and their team for visiting Balochistan in a national spirit and imparting scientific skills to researchers from Balochistan. Deans, Directors and Chairpersons of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Balochistan participated in the concluding ceremony.
The participants, while presenting their feedback, appreciated the organizers for arranging training on such an important aspect of livestock genetics and suggested that more training should be conducted. At the end of the session, honorary shields and certificated were distributed among the resource persons and participants by the chief guest.