While talking about the newly inaugurated project PARC Chairman Dr Muhammed Azeem Khan revealed that the angora rabbits are being imported from Nepal and in the beginning 10 angora rabbits were brought at the Juglot station of G-B.
Last month, Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam had revealed the government’s plan of setting up Angora rabbit in Gilgit-Baltistan by the federal government as the area’s weather was more suitable for its production.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Jaglot village which is located at a distance of 40 kilometres from Gilgit.
According to Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)’s official statement, one Angora rabbit’s wool can produce up to six high-quality shawls a year.
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“Farmers can annually get 4 to 6 high quality, invaluable shawls from the fur/wool of a single rabbit. Hence with low initial cost startup, Angora Rabit farming can be highly profitable in the wool industry as it’s the most recognised wool/fur breed besides, residual feed mixed with rabbit manure is also suitable for vermin compost which in turn provides an excellent biofertiliser for crops,” he said.
The chairman also added that rabbits would be distributed in all districts of Pakistan among phases so that the standard of living of the common people can be improved. He further said that the breeding of Angora rabbits could help reduce poverty in GB as it would generate employment for women by increasing the production of wool products.
During the visit, potential areas of agriculture research and development in G-B were also discussed and the PM’s aide was briefed about government initiatives to boost G-B agriculture on modern techniques to media persons and local farmers.
G-B Agriculture Minister Muhammad Kazim Mesam; the chairman Parc, DG Marc Gilgit Engineer Munir Hussain; DG NARC, Engr Shamimul Sibtain Shah, local farmers and high officials were also a part of the ceremony, according to the official statement.