First poultry institute opened in Pakistan's NWFP

The first poultry research institute has been inaugurated in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), one of the Pakistan's four provinces.

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Cooperative Societies Haji Hidayatullah Khan, inaugurated the first-ever poultry research institute in Mansehra in the Jabba area on June 6, according to The News of Pakistan.

During the inaugural ceremony of the Poultry Research Institute (PRI), Khan said the government had earmarked 155.7 million rupees (PKR) for the project in the initial phase. He said the country's poultry industry has suffered badly in the past due to non-existence of such research institutions. The institute is expected to help the country's chicken industry, he said.

He said the government has already PKR 100 billion (US$1.23 billion) to improve the livestock industry which has suffered a number of crises.

He said over 3,500 small, medium and big poultry farms had been established in the province and out of which 60 per cent were in the Hazara Division. Khan said regular courses for two to six months will be launched for students of matriculation and above to promote the industry for marketing and related field.

US$1= PKR81.04 (June 9)