Lahore, Solve Agri Dairy Institute™ conducted ten days international training on “Livestock Farming and Extension Services” on December 9-18, 2011. The exclusive training course was attended by veterinarians working in the field for extension, agri-services and dairy development, both from Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin. The Bangla participants were from PRAN Dairy while the local participants included staff members from Engro Foods, Haleeb Foods and Shakarganj Foods. The objective of the training was to impart practical knowledge of livestock farming to the trainees and enhancing their communication and presentation skills in order to make them effective in extension work.
Rural sociology, communication & presentation skills, managerial & leadership skills, approaching & linking with farmer, effective extension services, animal housing, fodder production & storage, animal nutrition, animal health, calf rearing, milk quality & hygiene, and farm mechanization were the major focus areas of the training. Special emphasis was given to develop soft skills including communication, presentation, integrity, commitment, credibility, and need assessment etc. The basic idea was to enable the participants to be able to become effective in their extension work. At the end of the training, participants were required to deliver presentations on the given topics as part of their assessment criteria and certification. Field visit was also arranged to Engro Dairy Hub in Kassowal in which participants were given a practical insight of dairy development, milk collection & agri-services, small and medium scale commercial dairy farming and extension strategies. The participants also visited the Livestock & Products Farm at Bhai Pheru which enlightened the aspects of large and commercial dairy farming. The participants learned various farm practices and operations.
The training was concluded with certificate distribution ceremony held on Sunday, December 18th, 2011. Mr. Haroon M. K. Lodhi, CEO Solve Agri Pak, was the chief guest during the certificate distribution ceremony. Dr. Muhammad Nasir Javed, General Manager Solve Agri Pak, Hafiz Wasi Muhammad Khan, Head of Farms & Agri Division Solve Agri Pak, and Dr. Waseem Shaukat, Incharge of Solve Agri Dairy Institute™ were also present on the occasion.
Speaking to the audience, Mr. Haroon Lodhi said “As an institute, it has been our great privilege to host this international training and it also shows the trust gained by Solve Agri Dairy Institute™ locally and internationally in a short span of time”. He also stated that it was a challenge to host an international training but he was happy to see that the desired knowledge and skills were successfully imparted to the participants; however the real success will be the moment when the participants will apply this knowledge and skills in the field and help the small holder farmers in increasing their profitability. Later, Mr. Lodhi distributed the certificates among the participants.
Speaking on behalf of foreign participants, Dr. Md. Harun-Or-Rashid (Assistant General Manager, PRAN Dairy Ltd) extended his gratitude to the Solve Agri Dairy Institute™ for arranging such a comprehensive training course. “The course has been highly significant in enhancing our skills through practically oriented sessions, it has been a great learning experience for us that will help us in performing much better in our country for capacity building of rural small holders and enhance productivity of their animals”.
Pakistani participants were represented by Dr. Muhammad Awais (Area Manager, Haleeb Foods Limited) who lauded the training course in his remarks, saying “This training will remain as a memorable learning opportunity in our life. The trainers have been greatly successful in identifying our gaps and filling those gaps through specific knowledge and skills. This training has been highly substantial in enhancing our personal and professional skills”.
Dr. Muhammad Nasir Javed also spoke on the occasion and praised the participants on their focus towards learning throughout the training programme. Hafiz Wasi M. Khan congratulated the Solve Agri Dairy Institute™ for conducting this wonderful training session and hoped that it will bring international recognition and confidence for Pakistani trainers and the institute. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Waseem Shaukat congratulated the participants on completion of the training programme and urged them to apply acquired knowledge and skills in their field work.