October 9, 2006

Pakistan provides loans to stimulate cattle farming

The provincial government of Sindh, one of the four provinces of Pakistan, would be setting up a bank to provide interest-free loans to livestock and cattle owners in an effort to stimulate the cattle industry, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim said Sunday (Oct 8).

Rahim urged cattle raisers to make use of this opportunity to benefit from the scheme.

Rahim noted the setting up of three cattle colonies at different parts of Thar, a dry region in south-eastern Pakistan is likely to provide jobs to locals, besides boosting meat and milk supply.

The chief minister said that one cattle colony would be established in every district of the province on 200-acre plots at a cost of Rs395 million (US$8.64 million). Each cattle colony would have a capacity of breeding over 200 buffaloes.

If the cattle colonies show positive results at district level, it would be broadened and introduced at higher levels, he said.

The provincial government would also spend Rs1377 million (US$30.1 million) on different livestock and fisheries schemes, he added.