The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) is observing World Egg Day to create awareness in the public about the nutritional value of eggs. To mark World Egg Day UVAS organised a seminar on 'importance of egg as a healthy diet' on Friday in collaboration with Pakistan Poultry Association and Alltech.
Professor Dr Aleem Bhatti, Alltech General Manager, Dr Shahzad Naveed Jadoon, Pakistan Poultry Association former Chairman Raza Mehmood Khursand, Professor Dr Athar Khan, Professor Dr Zafar Hayat and Dr Zafer Ullah Khan also spoke on the occasion. The UVAS department of poultry production organised the egg eating competition poster and poultry farm model competitions to mark the day.
Speaking on the occasion Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) North Zone Chairman Dr Arshad Hanif said Egg Day is celebrated throughout the county adding that association has already organised seminar, workshop and festival in University Agriculture Faisalabad, Poultry Research Institute Rawalpandi, Karachi and Multan. Dr Arshad explains that eggs promote healthy hair and nail because of its high sulpher content and wide array of vitamins and minerals.
UVAS Dean Faculty of Fisheries and Wildlife Professor Dr Muhammad Akram revealed that the egg consumption in Pakistan is 67 eggs per person per year, which is far less than up to 350 eggs consumption per person per year in advanced countries. The egg consumption in our neighbouring country India is 92 eggs per person per year, which is producing 2,740,000 million eggs per year. Pakistan has a production of 12,800 million eggs per year.
UVAS Dean Faculty of Animal Production and Technology Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that university is making close ties with the poultry industry and can resolve challenges and problems through research. Dr Pasha said that it is dire need to establish Poultry Club for uplift in such sector.
He added that poultry sector is becoming the emerging industry after textile adding that to become a vibrant sector in export perspective, university can provide all-out technical support and services to the farmers in this regard. UVAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz said that eggs have played important role to provide cheapest source of vitamins and minerals adding that the human body uses protein to repair damaged cells and to build new ones.