The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) is observing World Egg Day to create public awareness about the nutritional value and versatility of the egg.
To mark the day UVAS organised a seminar on the ‘Importance of Egg as part of a Healthy Diet’ on Friday in collaboration with Pakistan Poultry Association and Alltech in the conference hall. Prof Dr Aleem Bhatti, Alltech General Manager Dr Shahzad Naveed Jadoon, Pakistan Poultry Association former chairman Raza Mehmood Khursand, Prof Dr Athar Khan, Prof Dr Zafar Hayat and Dr Zafer Ullah Khan also spoke on the occasion.
The UVAS Department of Poultry Production conducted an egg-eating poster competition and a poultry-farm model competition.
UVAS Faculty of Fisheries and Wildlife Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Akram said the egg consumption in Pakistan is 67 eggs per person per year, which is far less than the consumption of up to 350 eggs per person per year in advanced countries. India, which is producing 2,740,000 million eggs per year, has an egg consumption of 92 eggs per person per year. Pakistan has a production of 12,800 million eggs per year.
UVAS Faculty of Animal Production and Technology Dean Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said the university was forming close ties with the poultry industry and could resolve challenges and problems through research. Pasha recommended the establishment of a Poultry Club to up lift the sector. He added that the poultry sector had become the emerging industry after textile, adding that the university could provide all-out technical support and services to farmers for the advancement of the sector in terms of exports.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) North Zone Chairman Dr Arshad Hanif said the association had organised seminars, workshops and festivals in Faisalabad Agriculture University, Poultry Research Institute Rawalpandi, Karachi and Multan. Arshad explained that because of its high sulpher content and wide array of vitamins and minerals, eating eggs led to growth of healthy hair and nails.
UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz said eggs provided the cheapest source of vitamins and minerals, adding that the human body used proteins to repair damaged cells and to build new ones. Nawaz said “egg yolks are an excellent source of chlorine, an essential nutrient that contributes to fetal brain development and helps prevent birth defects and weak eyesight and heart attack”. He added that an egg mixed with milk was the best treatment for food poising, while regular consumption of eggs would prevent blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Nawaz said the poultry and pharmaceutical industries had experienced unprecedented growth.
Later, Nawaz along with PPA Chairman (NZ) Dr Arshad Hanif distributed cash prizes and gifts among the competition winners.
