April 24, 2008

Pakistan minister urges development of livestock production
 

Pakistan has to develop its production line in order to fulfill the potential of the domestic livestock and poultry industry, said senior Punjab minister Raja Riaz Ahmad at the International Livestock and Poultry Congress at Awan-e-Iqbal.

The livestock sector has the potential to earn more than any other sector and it could also help to greatly alleviate rural poverty.

The livestock sector plays a key role in Pakistan's rural economy, as livestock production is an important source of income for the rural population, which ranges 30 to 35 million people, said Ahmad.

The milk processing industry should be developed so as to allow people to buy good quality milk at cheaper prices, said Ahmad, adding that Pakistan has 29.5 million cattle, 27.3 million buffaloes, 26.5 million sheep and 53.8 million goats for meat and milk production.

Ahmad said he hopes for suggestions of methods that could improve and develop the livestock and poultry sectors, which could allow people to have access to cheap meat and milk.

Livestock researchers should also help to develop a medium in which research findings can be passed on to stakeholders including livestock and poultry producers, said Ahmad.

Pakistan is the fifth largest milk producer in the world.