CPEC to amplify opportunities in livestock sector, Minister opines

KARACHI:

The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is creating ample opportunities for investment in the livestock sector of Pakistan, said Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari Pitafi.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of DALFA Cattle Show 2021 on Saturday, he said that the sector was being prioritised all over the world for investment opportunities.

He promised that the government of Sindh would extend all possible facilities to encourage the private firms of the country to invest in the livestock sector.

“In view of rising demand for food, the need to modernise livestock sector has grown as well,” he said. “Livestock exhibitions provide new opportunities to farmers besides playing an important role in accelerating growth of livestock sector of Sindh.”

He pointed out that Chinese investors have expressed interest in setting up a modern slaughter house in Sindh, adding that if large scale projects such as this are established, countless business opportunities will be created for the farmers of Pakistan.

According to him, such exhibitions create awareness of latest trends among farmers and other livestock sector stakeholders.

The minister urged the farmers to focus on the animals to fulfil the ballooning demand of meat and meat products in Pakistan and around the world.

“The government of Sindh is working on various projects for development of livestock sector,” he said. “Priority is being allocated to the development of animal vaccines at the local level so Pakistan can have disease-free breeds.”

In this regard, construction of a modern laboratory has been completed.

The Sindh government is also mulling to establish a foot and mouth disease (FMD) plant on an island so that vaccines can be manufactured in Sindh and exported on a large scale.

He highlighted that the province has begun insemination on goats and sheep. In addition, work is underway to bring a famous Brazilian dairy breed to Sindh, the minister said.

“The Sindh government, in liaison with other provinces and the federal government, is playing an active role in introducing new breeds in the country, resolving quarantine issues and modernising the livestock sector,” he underlined.

On the occasion, Dairy Agriculture Livestock Farmers Association Patron-in-Chief Harris Mithani said that the three-day cattle show, scheduled to take place from March 21-23, 2021, would feature high breed cattle, birds and domestic animals

“The cattle show will have representation from dairy, poultry and fisheries sector, new technology providers, food and pharmaceutical companies, livestock department of Sindh and Balochistan and the private sector related to livestock,” Mithani added.