LAHORE - The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) has offered partnership to the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in livestock sector with focus on enabling poor people to overcome poverty. A four-member IFAD delegation called on UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Naseer Pasha on Friday and discussed the prospects of enhancing dairy and meat production in Pakistan, capacity challenges in extension and research, employability of graduates and research and extension linkages. The delegation, led by Mission Leader Maleha Hussain, comprised Livestock Specialist Rab Nawaz, Community Livestock Specialist Raja Rafaqat and Country Program Officer Qasim Shah. Senior UVAS faculty members Prof Dr Nasim Ahmed, Prof Dr Muhammad Abdullah, Prof Dr Muhammad Aleem, Prof Dr Tahir Yaqub, Dr Muhammad Afzal, Dr Arshad Hashmi and Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani were also present. Ms Maleha Hussain said that the IFAD wanted to contribute to improving the dairy and meat potential of indigenous breeds, work together with the UVAS to improve the animal genetics and disseminate research results/outcomes to the small farmers. For the purpose, he said, the DFID was interested in developing sustainable linkages with the UVAS under a project based on public private partnership for five years with an amount $35 million to $40 million. Earlier, the VC briefed the delegation about academic, research and extension activities of the university. He also discussed with them the prospects of development of livestock sector and said that there was no proper mechanism of semen production in the country. He said that private sector was producing 3.5 million semen doses against the government’s 2.5 million doses. He deplored that it was very alarming that the quality of bulls being used for semen collection was inferior as the private sector was just doing business without covering the aspect of animal genetics. Prof Pasha averred that if we provide quality semen to the small holders on their doorsteps it would bring a revolutionary change in this fast growing livestock sector. He said that Pakistan had the best buffalo breeds in the world and 67 per cent milk was being produced from these elite dairy animals. But, he said, there was lack of awareness about selection of best bulls for breed improvement and absence of progeny testing which was causing low productivity of dairy animals. The VC also discussed with the IFAD delegation the major constraints in livestock sector including lack of genetic improvement, poor nutrition, health constraints, unorganized marketing and lack of human resource at various levels. Steps to overcome these constraints were also discussed in the meeting.