Experts at a UVAS seminar discuss nutrition innovation, feed challenges, poultry health, and the future of sustainable poultry production in Pakistan
LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore has highlighted the growing importance of precision nutrition and organic trace minerals in strengthening Pakistan’s poultry sector amid mounting production and feed-cost challenges.
The Department of Physiology at UVAS, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), organized an awareness seminar titled “Organic Trace Minerals in Poultry Production” under the HEC-NRPU Project 14701 at the Veterinary Academy, City Campus.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani presided over the concluding session, distributed certificates among participants, and presented shields to the resource persons for their contributions.
The seminar brought together researchers, faculty members, postgraduate students, and poultry nutrition experts to discuss emerging scientific approaches aimed at improving poultry health, production efficiency, and meat quality in Pakistan.
Among those present were Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf, Principal Investigator and Dean Faculty of Bio-Sciences Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Chairman Department of Physiology Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Rabbani, Organizing Secretary Dr. Sajid Khan Tahir, along with a large number of academic participants.
Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azfal Rashid from the Department of Animal Nutrition and Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf from the Department of Physiology served as co-principal investigators and resource persons for the seminar.
Addressing participants, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azfal Rashid delivered a detailed presentation on the role of trace minerals in poultry nutrition and their impact on productivity and flock performance. He also discussed the evolution of poultry production in Pakistan and highlighted key industry challenges, including rising feed costs, dependence on corn and soybean imports, disease outbreaks, biosecurity concerns, vaccination gaps, market instability, and limited processing infrastructure.
He emphasized that improved feed management and precision nutrition are becoming increasingly critical for sustainable poultry production and better commercial outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf spoke about the effects of organic trace minerals on poultry growth, intestinal health, meat quality, and overall production performance. He shared research findings demonstrating the positive impact of organic mineral supplementation on poultry efficiency and health indicators.
Speaking at the concluding session, Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani congratulated the organizers for arranging what he described as a highly informative and timely seminar. He encouraged students to focus on practical learning and professional skill development rather than seeking shortcuts to success.
He stressed the importance of using knowledge and expertise for public service and urged participants to share the insights gained from the seminar with fellow professionals and industry stakeholders.
Prof. Dr. Rabbani also revealed plans to transform the university’s Ravi Campus Pattoki into an agro-livestock tourism hub, where students from schools and colleges would be able to learn about agriculture, livestock, and food processing systems through a “farm-to-fork” educational model.
Earlier, Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman briefed participants on the objectives and significance of the HEC-NRPU project, highlighting its role in advancing scientific research and innovation in poultry production.
Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf praised the leadership and contributions of Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani and Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman toward the development and modernization of UVAS. He noted that the Punjab government selected Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani as Vice-Chancellor on merit in recognition of his dedication and services for the uplift of the university. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Rabbani.
