History and Importance Of Faculty of Animal Husbandry

 

 Written by: M. Talha Bin Tahir

 (Animal Scientists, IA&DS, FAH, UAF)

FAH stands for Faculty of Animal Husbandry. The University of Agriculture laid the foundation of FAH in 1962. At first, MSc and PhD programs were offered by FAH. But after some experience, it was observed that vet. Students are not familiar with those courses. The Livestock department decided to start a separate 4-year degree program (BS Animal Sciences) to enhance the production of livestock. But after some year this degree was banned due to some political and social circumstances.

“Purpose of FAH”:

The main objective of this degree is to improve the production of livestock through genetic changes, nutrition and proper management of animals.

“Importance”:

Today the increase in population demands more milk and meat. To overcome these challenges, we need a proper and reliable husbandry practice. Because the only injection cannot increase the production of animals.

BS Animal Sciences is an animal production related degree which comprises of: 

1.“Animal Nutrition”:

As we know that every farm has 60% of expenditures related to feeding. These expenditures increase up to 80% if an animal becomes susceptible to some disease. These expenditures could be reduced only by proper husbandry practices like proper nutritious feed. So, it is very important that a proper and healthy diet should be fed to animals.

2.“Livestock Management”:

Management is basically related to managing something according to available resources. Only proper management of livestock can reduce the chances of diseases in animals.

3.“Animal Breeding and Genetics”:

To increase production in livestock it is very important that sustainable and disease resistant genes are introduced in animals. The introduction of modern techniques like embryo transplant, molecular genetics in animals can only be done by Animal Breeding and Genetics.

4.“Poultry Nutrition and Management”:

Today poultry is the second largest industry of Pakistan. Therefore, proper poultry nutrition and management is very important. Only animal husbandry covers all aspects of livestock production.

“Conclusion”:

FAH is an integral part of livestock. Without proper husbandry practices and practitioners, we cannot achieve the international standards of the dairy industry.

“Standard animal husbandry practices are almost non-existent. The reasons are the exclusion of the discipline of Animal Husbandry from the Veterinary Universities a decade ago. The need is to refocus on the standard Animal Husbandry practices. A large number of physicians or surgeons are not required in livestock sector although the more number of good animal experts and scientists are in required who could educate the farming communities on the ways to manage their livestock and keep it safe from the disease.”

Reference: Punjab livestock policy 2018-19