Director General Fisheries Punjab Dr. Muhammad Ayub has said that training will be provided to three aquaculture officers abroad under the “promotion of good aquaculture practices in Punjab” project whereas international experts will impart training to 30 aquaculture officers and 50 fish farmers in Punjab and Baluchistan. He said that good aquaculture practices will be applied at 50 fish farmers of Punjab and Baluchistan provinces. He said that this project of Food & Agriculture Organization will prove a milestone in fisheries sector and this industry will progress significantly.
He was addressing a workshop held with regard to provision of technical cooperation to Fisheries Department of Food & Agriculture Organization Pakistan at a local hotel, here today. Representative of FAO United Nations Patrick T. Evans, Aquaculture Officer FAO, Mr. Miao Weimin from Regional Office for Asia, Bangkok, Aquaculture Officer Muhammad Raza ul Hassan of Aquaculture & Fisheries Department FAO Rome, DG Fisheries Balochistan Muhammad Noor, Director Fisheries Gilgit Baltistan Ghulam Mohy-ud-Din besides fish farmers, feed processors and other stakeholders were also present on the occasion.
Dr. Muhammad Ayub addressing the workshop said that fish farmers and end users will benefit from this project. He said that this is the first project in the history of the country for providing technical cooperation. He said that this project will be applied with the cooperation of Fisheries Departments of Punjab and Baluchistan, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council and Fisheries Development Board and will be applied at the selected sites of Punjab and Baluchistan.
Representative of FAO United Nations Patrick T. Evans addressing the workshop said that development of aquaculture is the future of fisheries and Asia is making rapid progress in aquaculture sector. He assured all possible cooperation for the development of fish industry. He said that this project will prove a historic and help in getting production according to international standard and taking fish farmers towards certification. In addition, Additional Secretary Technical Rasheed Awan, Aquaculture Officer FAO Mr. Miao Weimin, Aquaculture Officer Muhammad Raza-ul-Hassan and others also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the benefits of the project.