June 22, 2006

Pakistan to give priority to dairy and livestock development 

Pakistan would make the development of the dairy and livestock sector a top priority, said Shahab Khawaja, CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA).

Khawaja was speaking at a ceremony to welcome the GEA delegation. The GEA Group is a leading German-based company in dairy process engineering, equipment and dairy plant engineering.

He said livestock production is an integral part of Pakistan's agricultural system and plays a vital role in national economy. At present, the sector accounts for half the agricultural economy and 11 percent of the nation's GDP.

30 to 35 million of the rural population in Pakistan is engaged in livestock raising and the income from this activity contributes significantly to their family livelihood, he said.

Pakistan's Prime Minister recently announced the government's commitment to bring about a 'White Revolution' in the country by establishing model dairy farms. Khawaja said that based on this development, there would be a vast scope for cooperation between Germany and Pakistan in the fields of dairy and livestock.