RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government is taking practical steps to improve the livestock sector, promote modern farming, increase value addition and processing, and boost meat exports.
The remarks were made by Special Parliamentary Committee on Religious Affairs Chairman Malik Iftikhar while presiding over a consultative meeting on livestock sector development.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik Iftikhar said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, the Livestock Department’s budget had been increased from Rs5 billion to Rs40 billion to modernise and strengthen the sector.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Sheikh Usman Tahir, Director General (Extension) Dr Syed Nadeem Badar, Director General Production Dr Kanwar Naeem, Director Livestock Dr Naveed Sahar Zaidi, officials of the Livestock Department, livestock farm owners and others. An MPA also attended the meeting.
President Central Traders Association Rawalpindi Malik Muhammad Waqar said the government was providing interest-free loans and dairy milk machines to small farmers to increase productivity and strengthen the rural economy.
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He said the Punjab government was also focusing on value addition, dairy product exports and modern processing systems in the livestock sector to further strengthen the national economy.
During the briefing, Director General (Extension) Dr Syed Nadeem Badar said efforts were underway to increase livestock numbers in the province from three lakh to six lakh. He urged farmers to submit maximum applications under government livestock schemes to fully benefit from available facilities.
He added that several new schemes for the livestock sector were being introduced in the current fiscal year budget, which would directly benefit farmers.
Additional Secretary (Technical) Sheikh Usman Tahir said record funds were being allocated for the livestock sector in Punjab and the government was taking serious steps to modernise the sector according to present-day requirements.
