Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A two-day training on ‘commercial ostrich farming’ under the theme of Ostrich Diseases and Prevention commenced at Pr Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Wednesday.

The prime objective of the training is to provide technical knowledge as well as expertise for health and diseases, handling, management and marketing of ostrich meat and its by-products. The training will also cover various techniques that can result in enhanced meat yield and high liveability at the young age under local farm environment.

PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rai Naiz Ahmed was the chief guest, while deans, directors and ostrich farmers attended the inaugural session.

Over thirty ostrich farmers from all over Pakistan are participating in the session and will get training on handling, restarting of ostrich, rearing of ostrich chicks for meat, skin and feather production, medication and vaccination and for the successful ostrich production for meat and eggs with reference to health issues.

Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmed while addressing the participants called ostrich a millennium bird and said that Pakistan had the most favourable environment for ostrich farming. He highlighted the benefits of ostrich farming and said, “Ostrich farming is the only way out to overcome the shortage of meat in the country.”

He said that there was a dire need to spread awareness and importance of ostrich farming. He referred to it as the ‘farm of the future’ because of high profit potential and a favourable source of foreign earnings.

He urged the veterinary researchers to put in all efforts for the diagnosis and prevention of diseases to resolve the issues regarding ostrich farming for its expansion at the national level and enhancement of ostrich production to cope with the future challenges.

Published in Daily Times, August 3^nd 2017.