Pakistan Poultry Association and UVAS celebrated World Egg Day 2024
Department of Poultry Production, UVAS in collaboration with Pakistan Poultry Association, celebrated World Egg Day 2024. On this occasion, an Awareness walk, seminar, egg eating, and egg dish-making competitions were also organized. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore celebrated this day at Ravi Campus, Pattoki. Experts highlighted the importance of eggs.
Chairman of Pakistan Poultry Association Abdul Basit chaired the seminar. Chairman Saber Poultry Dr FM Saber attended the function as Guest of Honour. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Muhammad Younas, Vice-Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association Malik Muhammad Sharif, Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Anila Zameer Durrani, Dean Faculty of Animal Production and Technology Prof. Dr. Saima, Chairman Department of Poultry Production Dr. Shahid Mehmood, Secretary Pakistan Poultry Association Major Javed Hussain Bukhari and faculty members participated in the event.
Importance of Eggs and Chicken
Chairman of Pakistan Poultry Association Abdul Basit said that nutritionists around the world recommend the daily use of eggs and chicken for the elderly and children because the development of the human brain and healthy body is based on protein. He said that Pakistan’s poultry industry has been trying to provide affordable protein to its people since 1962. The per capita consumption of eggs in our country is very low. According to the International Health Organization (WHO), a person should eat about 300 eggs a year to maintain the amount of nutrients in their diet. But unfortunately in our country, about 50 eggs per person are being consumed annually. This is a moment of concern for all of us.
History of Broiler Chicken and Facts
He added that at present we are producing 11,200 million eggs. If the consumption of eggs increases, we have the capacity to enhance the production as per requirement.
Nutritional Importance of Eggs and World Egg Day 2024
Further, while talking about the benefits of eggs, he said that eggs are a food that is rich in good quality protein, fat, minerals, iron, amino acids, and antioxidants. Protein is the basic element for the growth of the human body and is especially useful for growing children. It is also good for patients, hard-working persons, and women.
If one egg is eaten daily, the body gets an adequate amount of protein while also getting vitamins, minerals, and other components. According to a medical study conducted in the UK, eating an egg a day has many benefits. Research has shown that it strengthens the body’s immune system, and improves the health of teeth, bones, and skin. On the other hand, the amino acids in eggs can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Stunted Growth and Importance of Eggs
At present, 44% of the children of growing age in the country are suffering from malnutrition. If the government cooperates, the children can be provided food made of chicken meat and eggs in government schools. Moreover, in Pakistan, children between 5 to 15 years of age are not undernourished. PPA can play its role in doing this. Furthermore, half of the 10 million school-going children in Punjab are undersized for their age. A total of twenty million students across the country are not able to meet their nutritional needs, as a result of which their physical and mental development is affected.
World Egg Day History
It should be noted that World Egg Day is celebrated every year on the second Friday of October. The foundation of this day was laid in 1996 at the conference of the International Egg Commission in Vienna. On the other hand, This year World Egg Day 2024 was celebrated on October 11, 2024.
More about the History of Egg Day and Egg Nutrition
