Grand National Aviculture Summit 2025: A call for unity and innovation

 

Grand National Aviculture Summit 2025: A call for unity and innovation

 

Asher Butt

The Grand National Aviculture Summit 2025 brought together bird enthusiasts, breeders, and industry stakeholders at the Alhamra Arts Council Lahore, marking the first large-scale gathering of its kind for Pakistan’s lovebird community. Organized by Naveed Sheikh of NS Aviary and his team, the summit aimed to revive confidence, address challenges, and chart a new path forward for aviculture in the country.

 

A landmark gathering for aviculture

For the first time, a fanciers’ group hosted an event of such magnitude, drawing more than 500 participants—men and women alike—from Karachi, Mirpur Khas, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Kasur, and beyond. The event combined technical sessions, passionate speeches, and open discussions on the state of the lovebird industry.

 

Market woes and the push for recovery

Speakers openly acknowledged the recent downturn in the aviculture market, caused largely by an oversupply of low-value commercial birds. They urged breeders to move past short-term thinking and adopt strategies to restore market health.

• Shamsa Hashmi, serving as stage in-charge, highlighted how senior breeders entering the commercial market destabilized prices, advising new breeders to adopt “smart pairing” and continuous upgrading of bird pairs.
• Hanzala Sharif praised Sheikh for taking initiative in tough times, pointing out that international buyers—from Indonesia and China—still recognize Pakistan among the top five countries for quality bird breeding.

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Expert insights and practical advice

Breeding and business strategy

• Umair Chauhan, a veteran breeder of Dun Fallows, emphasized budgeting, purpose-built aviaries, and genetic planning as the foundation for sustainable breeding.
• Ashar Saddique explained the science behind developing new mutations, detailing both natural and transmutation methods of achieving results.
• Fazzy Mahmood advised patience, reminding participants that markets go through cycles of crisis and recovery.

Building identity and integrity

• Mohsin Zafar urged fanciers to create their own unique identities in the market rather than copying others.
• He recounted how breeder Haris Rais, present early at the summit but later absent from stage discussions, once flipped four birds for millions in profit—an anecdote used to stress caution and learning from one’s own mistakes.

 

The role of exports and international potential

Adnan Saleem of Karachi addressed the export angle, explaining how international buyers have specific demands and focus on price and quality. While he avoided disclosing sensitive details about custom clearances, he stressed the need for quality-focused breeding to tap into global markets.

 

Government and community support

Special guest Raees Khan Lodhi of the CCD department lent credibility by framing aviculture as a respectable home-based business—“a business that can be done within chaddar and char deevari.” His remarks reinforced the industry’s potential for youth, women, and families.

 

Gifts, engagement, and recognition

The summit balanced serious discussion with interactive activities. Audience members received prizes, gifts, and lucky draws, ensuring that every attendee left with something in hand. This lighthearted conclusion contrasted with the otherwise intense debates, leaving a sense of inclusivity and shared purpose.

 

Naveed Sheikh’s call to action

Concluding the summit, Naveed Sheikh delivered a powerful address. He:

• Challenged breeders to stop overproducing low-value mutations and instead explore new, high-end mutations like “Sapphire.”
• Called for unity within the community to fight negativity, especially on social media, and announced legal efforts to safeguard the industry’s integrity.
• Revealed plans for an even larger December event, aiming to attract a staggering 50,000 people in the future.

Sheikh’s closing words resonated deeply: “Your presence here is a verdict against those spreading negativity. It is time to identify our mistakes, make amends, and move forward with a positive mindset.”

 

Team effort

The team that led the summit to a rousing success under Naveed Sheikh comprised Talha Rahim, Chaudhary Irfan, Adnan Jameel, Arfan Akram, Rana Shani, Husnain Malik. Jasim Ilyas, Malik Moien. Don Pasha, Khurram Jahangeer, Sami Ullah, Dr Faisal, Samee Khan, Imran Malik, Hamid Ishaq while they has useful partners in Hanzalah Shareef, Ashar Shaddique and its support team included Rana Arsalan, Asif Jawed, Anees Rehman, Ameer Mavia, Ahmed. 

Whereas, it found a valuable patronage from Adnan Saleem (Islamabad), The Aviarist, Adnan Khurram Zia, Pine Nestings's Adil Jadoon, Pakistan Taxidermy Najaf, BGC Labs' Dr Faisal Sameer Khan, Malik Moien, Aun Raza Butt, Mega Birds Farm Arshad Bukhari, Waqas Ahmed (50 buds), Husnain Malik, Mirza Shani (Gakhar), Imran Malik, Waseem Ranjha (mobiles) Khurram Ijaz, and Mrs Maj Aamir (keratin shampoo). 

Central message: Smart pairing, smart future

The Grand National Aviculture Summit 2025 underscored a clear message—Pakistan’s aviculture community cannot afford complacency. By embracing smart breeding, innovation, and collective unity, the lovebird industry can not only recover but thrive, with the potential to become a true export powerhouse.