Animal Sciences Institute NARC – National Agricultural Research Centre

The Animal Sciences Institute (ASI NARC) is a key research Institute of the PARC National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). Animal Sciences Institute NARC operates under the umbrella of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The National Agricultural Research Centre NARC is the premier research establishment of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) at the federal level.

The prime function of PARC is to strengthen the agricultural research system, providing science-based solutions and improving agricultural output and food security.  The ASI NARC is an important component among other research institutes of this centre. Its mission revolves around research in animal health, animal production, and aquaculture. It also focuses on developing and transferring technologies to farmers and industry.

Animal Sciences Divsiion of PARC 

About National Agricultural Research Centre

The National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) was established in 1984. Initially, it originated on the recommendations of the Pakistan American Research Review Team in 1968 and 1973 while expanding the Agriculture Research Council. Its foundation was formally laid in 1980. The key focus areas of research at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) include crop sciences, animal sciences, farm mechanization, food sciences, biotechnology, apiculture, aquaculture, agricultural land resources, and social sciences. It has dedicated institutes for research on different areas. It also provides technical support services to the farmers and related industries. Moreover, the National Agricultural Research Centre also collaborates with global institutions and organizes international seminars and training programs for scientists, farmers, and students.

Objectives of Animal Sciences Institute NARC

• Conduct research of national importance in animal health and production.
• Supervise and manage diverse research programs.
• Collaborative research linkages with national and international institutions.
• Organize scientific events and promote knowledge sharing.
• Engage with farmers to transfer innovative technologies and provide consultancy services.

Key Research Activities at ASI NARC

Animal Sciences Institute NARC focuses on different aspects of livestock production to enhance animal productivity and health. These include:

• Improving in vivo fertility of cryopreserved spermatozoa in water buffalo, cattle, goat, and sheep
• Improving the controlled breeding programs and Timed Artificial Insemination/ Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination in ruminants
• Exploiting the genetic potential of indigenous breeds of livestock through selective breeding
• Research on animal nutrition and feeding for the better utilization of non-conventional feed resources and development of economical feeding solutions including calf starter and early weaning diets.
• Production of high-quality livestock feed, mineral mixture, and multi-nutrient blocks at nominal cost for farmers.
• Innovation and improvement of disease diagnostic methods, vaccine development, and epidemiology of food animal diseases including AMR.
• Improvement of milk quality, value addition, and traditional dairy product manufacturing.

Programs at Animal Sciences Institute NARC

Animal Health Program (AHP)

This program of ASI NARC addresses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and control of livestock diseases. It includes Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), warble fly, and other animal diseases. Moreover, it also focuses on Zoonotic Diseases under the “One Health” initiative. Furthermore, it utilizes genomics and biotechnology for improved animal disease diagnostics and pathogen characterization.

The program also explores vaccine development, investigates antimicrobial resistance patterns and transmission dynamics, and characterizes bacterial virulence mechanisms using genomics and biotechnology. This program has developed multiple vaccines against major infectious diseases of food animals including Fowl Adenoviruses, aerosol vaccine for HS, and thermostable vaccine for PPR. The program is also involved in technology transfer through Trainings, Seminars, Farmer meetings, and Workshops to the farmers and concerned industry in the country.

Animal Nutrition Program (ANP)

The Animal Nutrition Program of ASI NARC addresses the nutritional challenges of livestock feeding. It focuses on research and innovation for the development of economical, innovative, and toxin-free feed solutions for local livestock. The Feed Technology Unit under this program produces specialized feed products for large and small ruminants. The animal nutrition laboratory offers facilities for advanced nutritional evaluations and analysis of animal feed resources and products.

Animal Reproduction and Genetics Program (ARGP)

This program of ASI NARC aims to improve the reproductive efficiency in water buffalo, cattle, goats, and sheep by optimizing the in vivo fertility of cryopreserved spermatozoa, integrating sperm sexing for precise gender selection and advancing controlled breeding programs as well as Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI)/Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination (LAI). It also focuses on exploiting the genetic potential of indigenous livestock breeds through selective breeding programs.

Livestock Research Station (LRS)

The Livestock Research Station supports genetic improvement and breeding programs for cattle, buffaloes, along with Angora Rabbitry. It also provides training facilities and maintains fodder production and grazing facilities for the livestock. It comprises of a Dairy Station and a Fodder Station. Recent initiatives of this station are research and development on cost-effective alternate feeding resources, fattening of calves on agro-industrial byproducts, and maintenance of nucleus breeding herd of Sahiwal and Cholistani cattle and Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Animal Products Improvement Program (APIP)

This program promotes value addition in milk and meat production. It focuses on training of small-scale producers and processors to adopt improved processing techniques. The objective of this program is to create economic opportunities for the farmers with the value addition of livestock products. It also provides dairy products testing services including milk testing services.

National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases (NRLPD)

The NRLPD is an internationally accredited (ISO/IEC-17025:2017) apex laboratory for surveillance, diagnostics, and research on avian diseases. It is equipped with BSL-2 Lab and allied facilities to provide nationwide services for poultry diseases. This laboratory established a National Avian Disease Surveillance System which played a pivotal role in successfully controlling Bird Flu (H5N1) in 2008. As part of disease prevention efforts, vaccine seeds for selected poultry pathogens, including Avian Influenza subtypes, were developed and transferred to provincial vaccine production units.

It also collaborates with national and international organizations including FAO, WHO, WOAH, and local organizations as a referral lab. Furthermore, it investigates zoonotic pathogens at the human-animal interface under the One Health concept, promoting interdisciplinary approaches to safeguard public health. It is also serving as a National Reference Lab for AMR in the poultry sector and is actively engaged in enhancing AMR surveillance in the poultry sector with the support of the Fleming Fund and FAO.

Additionally, to ensure quality assurance in poultry diagnostics, the NRLPD continues to implement the Veterinary Microbiology-National External Quality Assurance System (VM-NEQAS) across laboratories nationwide. Internationally, it provides training and support across SAARC countries. It has been designated as the China-Pakistan Agricultural S&T Innovation and Excellence Centre by China Agriculture University and Foshan University.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Program (AFP)

This Program of Animal Sciences Institute NARC – National Agricultural Research Centre aims to enhance aquaculture practices for inland fish farming systems by developing balanced and economically viable fish feeds using both conventional and alternative resources. This program of ASI NARC also focuses on improving the genetic potential of fish through innovative breeding technologies and introducing high-value fish species with better growth rates and export potential. Additionally, it works on developing effective aquatic animal disease diagnostics, control and management strategies. It also provides technical inputs for commercial fish farming.

Achievements of Animal Sciences Institute NARC

• Developed vaccines and diagnostics for major livestock and poultry diseases.
• Enhanced feed production techniques, benefiting thousands of farmers.
• Introduced Improved Reproductive Technologies
• Established National Avian Disease Surveillance System.
• Provided training to students, farmers, and researchers in animal science disciplines.
• Introduced high value fish species like All Male Tilapia, American Channel Cat Fish, and Saul in pond culture.

Contact Animal Sciences Institute NARC and its Programs

Animal Sciences Institute
National Agriculture Research Centre
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council,
Islamabad
Tel.051-9073-3941
051-9255040

directorasi@parc.gov.pk
Web. https://www.parc.gov.pk/Detail/YTZkYmI1NTEtZmZjNi00NjM2LWFlYTMtYWQyY2I3N2VjN2Ew

Animal Health Program
051-9073-3902

Animal Nutrition Program
051-9073-3931

Livestock Research Station
051-9073-3851

Animal Products Improvement Program
051-9073-3957

National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases
051-9073-3908

Animal Reproduction and Genetics Program
051-9073-3858

Aquaculture and Fisheries Program
051-9073-3876

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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