FAISALABAD: Pakistan is facing a dearth of quality animals requiring a pacl(age for the dairy industry like the one Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced for farmers.

The view was expressed at a conference titled `Role of biotechnology in dairy sector and its effect on human health` held at the Government College University Faisalabad on Thursday.

Addressing the participants, Dr Mohammad Sarwar of Faculty ofUAF Animal Husbandry said Pakistan was facing the dearth of quality animals particularly the breed of Sahiwal cow. He said it was need of the hour to protect the quality animals `which we have given to other countries and failed to protect them in Pakistan.

He said: `We will have to categorise the high and low milking animals to focus on their growth.

Dr Sarwar said the government should protect quality animals and announce a farmers package-like incentive for the dairy segment.

Dean Faculty of Science, GCUF,Dr Mohammad Zubair said ratio of pure milk was low as compared to the need of the population and because of that people had to rely on the artificial milk.

He said artificial milk could not be an alternative to the pure milk.

Dr Mehrunnisa, head of institute of home and food sciences of UAF, said quality food was imperative for the quality milk and growth of the animals.

Dr Fagir Mohammad Anjum, Mohammad Mubin, Mirza Mohammad Afzal and others also spoke on the occasion.