FAISALABAD - New national records were made at a milk competition held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, with 51.82-litre and 33.17-litre in crossbred and Sahiwal cows contests, respectively.
It was announced at the prize distribution ceremony organised at the conclusion of the UAF Spring Festival 2012.
The concluding session was chaired by Omani Ambassador to Pakistan Mohamed Said Allawati. Faisalabad Commissioner Syed Tahir Hussain and UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan were guests of honour, while hockey Olympian Khawaja Tariq Aziz was also present.
According to results, Qumber Maqbool of the SB Dairy Farm clinched the first position with 51.82 litters in crossbred cow, while in Sahiwal cow competition, Sardar M Aftab Watto of Jahangirabad with 33.17-litre milk stood first. Moreover, Liaquat Ali from Shareef Pura won the first prize in buffaloes milk competition with 29.6 litre of milk.
This year’s spring festival brought colourful events, including farmers’ convention, agricultural exhibition, flower show, fancy birds show, horse and cattle show, tent-pegging, milk competition, cow and buffaloes beauty competition and cultural shows as well as international seminar and conferences. The concluding ceremony was started with horse dancing that enthralled the audience. After that, prizes were given away to the winners.
Addressing the gathering, the ambassador hailed the steps being taken on part of the university to bring a revolution in the agriculture sector. He said the festival was one of best of its kind that would give inspiration to the farming community to learn and adopt latest agricultural practices. He said such type of festivals were vital to increase awareness among the masses.
Commissioner Tahir Hussain said that competitions were the best tool to persuade the people about adopting state-of-the-art technologies and practices that would pave ways for uplifting the agriculture sector. He praised the university for bringing together experts, stakeholders and the farming community under a roof to discuss problems and find solutions to them. Khawaja Tariq Aziz stressed the need for strengthening the livestock. The festival was aimed at promoting modern agricultural practices.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & industry (FCCI) Office-bearers, the ambassador said that foreign investors were reluctant to invest in Pakistan due to negative image building of the international media
He added that “I found peace and safety in Pakistan”. He stressed for improving bilateral trade ties between Oman and Pakistan.