Kathmandu, February 16:

A three-day follow-up workshop on Capacity Building and Global Plan of Action for South Asia for the development of animal genetic resources began here today.

The workshop is expected to highlight sustainable use of animal genetic resources in South Asia. It is also expected to enhance the capacity of human resources working in the animal genetic sector and enhance researches in genetic field and develop better teaching methods.

More than two dozen participants from eight countries — Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Sweden — are participating in the workshop. The previous workshop was organised in 2006 in Sri Lanka.

Participants of the seminar identified lack of human resources in both academic and non-academic sector, limited financial support, lack of facilities for animal genetic research and policy gaps as the limiting factors to enhance capacity in animal genetic breeding.

They also urged the government to formulate supportive policies for animal genetic research, increase competence of local farmers and launch awareness programmes to develop animal genetic breeding.

The workshop is being organised by International Livestock Research Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Food and Agriculture Organisation.