May 28, 2007

Pakistan aims to modernize poultry sector

Pakistan has approved a new development policy which would boost the use of modern technology in poultry production and processing.

The country aims to increase the rate of growth in the number of companies using modern poultry processing technology from the present 12 percent to 15-20 percent, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said.

Pakistan has been encouraging development of livestock and poultry sector due to their significant potential in bringing improvement in the living standards of the people.

He said the country's potential for the livestock industry is under-utilised and the government would seek to improve extension services, and provide better research facilities and more resources for this sector.

In particular, the private sector would be encouraged towards the production of poultry products such as meat, eggs and value-added products to the domestic and international markets in a sustainable way.

The government would encourage environmentally controlled housing for broilers and layers, and would create integrated production and processing system including value addition in the poultry sector.

The poultry sector accounts for a mere 1.12 per cent share in Pakistan's GDP but employs 1.5 million people.

Growth in Pakistan's poultry sector has been helped by the government's measures such as tariff reduction on poultry input products such as feed and medication, machinery and equipment and extension of credit to farmers.