The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore has forged a strategic partnership with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing livestock development and uplifting the farming community’s livelihood. The collaboration focuses on disseminating knowledge about the latest agricultural technologies and techniques to enhance livestock production and farmers’ profitability.
The MoU was signed in a ceremony at City Campus, attended by UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Nasim Ahmad (SI), Dean Faculty of Animal Production & Technology Prof Dr. Saima, ZTBL President/CEO Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti, and Head Planning Research & Technology Division Tariq Mahmood. UVAS faculty members, administrative officers, and ZTBL officials were also present.
Prof Dr. Nasim Ahmad highlighted the benefits of the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to increase livestock production and enhance profitability for the farming community. Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti outlined ZTBL’s objectives in promoting the livestock sector, offering loans, guidance, and advisory services to boost farming community profitability, with the livestock sector playing a pivotal role in the national GDP.
Under the MoU, both institutions will collaborate on field days, seminars, and workshops to disseminate the latest developments in livestock. Joint ventures, research activities, and the establishment of demonstration plots and research trials on modern livestock and poultry are part of the partnership. ZTBL will provide land for animal fodder research at its farm in Islamabad for UVAS students.
Internship opportunities will be offered to UVAS students in ZTBL branches and field offices, while UVAS will share information on progressive growers/farmers who have participated in modern livestock and poultry training sessions. This collaboration aims to enable ZTBL to extend credit facilities to these farmers. UVAS will also provide livestock/dairy-related information for ZTBL’s publications.
Moreover, UVAS will assist ZTBL in training and capacity building, both physically and virtually, for the bank’s staff in improved livestock/poultry technology and entrepreneurship. This partnership holds the promise of significant contributions to the livestock sector and the farming community’s prosperity.
