Large number of people throng AL&FD

A large number of citizens, families and children throng the exhibition arranged by Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Department (AL&FD) here on Sunday to enjoy the unique cattle parade, horse and camel dance, birds show and unique entertainment of flowers during the event.
Livestock farmers, horse and camel riders took their breeds to the parade track where judges witnessed the walk, health, qualities and characteristics for awards. These breeds were brought from Kachho, Kohistan, Thar Desert, Ghotki, Matiari and other parts of the province.
The event was organised by Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) and Sindh Board of Investment in collaboration with Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam and Livestock & Fisheries Department and Agriculture. The LDFA provided opportunities and developed linkages with exporters, importers, investors, financial institutions, banks, manufacturers, rural entrepreneurs, food manufacturers, industries and communities.
Commissioner Hyderabad Dr Qazi Shahid Pervez visited all parts of the exhibition and appreciated organisers, who arranged this mega event and participants, exporters of rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, micro finance institutes, banks and farmer communities for strengthening the agrarian economy of the country. He said this initiative will promote the business opportunities for rural farmers, who otherwise were neglected or having no access to market for their products.
He said the mega event with security measures attracted families and children, who visited stalls and sections for birds and livestock peacefully. He further added that the Sindh government is taking initiatives to promote rural products and this successful event is evidence of it.
He appreciated the efforts and vision of VC Dr Mujeebuddin Memon Sehrai for organising and hosting this successful mega event for putting the knowledge into practice.
Stalls of date products also attracted the people to see the new products. Handicrafts items made in different artisan towns were displayed at different stalls for buyers.
More than 350 animals, indigenous and cross breeds, like buffalo, cow, goat, sheep, horse and camels were exhibited at the livestock section, which also attracted people.
Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam also actively took part in animal show and presented pure Kundhi Buffalo bulls maintained at University's livestock farms, the phenotypic characteristics of these animals attracted the audience, livestock farmers and experts.
Dr Pershotam Khatri, Chairman of Department of Animal Reproduction said that these young animals were progeny based selected and its confirmation of purity of Kundhi breed has been made on molecular level.
Professor Ismail Kumbhar, who is leading the organising team of LDFA in his concluding remarks said they have received appreciative messages from all the stakeholders; Businessmen and community people have come together to see their opportunities for sale and purchase.
He said it is not the first event but has opened the way for growers, livestock farmers, artisans, financial institutions and singers to come here at the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam to avail the opportunities.
Mehboob-ul-Haq, CEO Sindh Board of Investment in his remarks said: "It is inspiring experience for the first time in agriculture hub, like Agriculture University, where livestock farmers, artisans and exporters have participated."
He said they have decided to organise LDFA at different cities in future to make it accessible for farmers and community. It is a better way to promote trade in the province. Because, he said, "rural communities have been ignored in terms of unavailability of market and the events like this one will attract them to come forward and avail opportunities.".
Agriculture Extension, Agriculture Engineering, Agriculture Research, Livestock and Fisheries Department, Livestock Research and Extension, Poultry Research and almost 10 different departments of the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam including Crop Production, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture Engineering, Poultry Husbandry, Animal Reproduction, Animal Products Technology, Horticulture, Entomology, Farm Machinery and Equipment also took part in the event and contributed at every level from exhibiting their products at stalls and arrangements.
SAU and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology jointly organised the flower show exhibiting scenic roses to attract the visitors. These flower show organisers received awards for their expertise in the field.
At the closing ceremony awards with shields and cash went to Sardar Asad Sikandar Malik for cows, goat, sheep; Makhdoom Ghulam Mohiuddin on Kamori goats, Nazir Ahmed on Angura breed of goat, Rafiq Rahoo on Pateri Breed, Salam Zardari on horses, and others for their breeds.