With a view to provide latest veterinary support services to the livestock farmers, the government has planned to establish new disease diagnostic laboratories in Punjab at a cost of Rs 132 million. The project will ensure complete coverage of diagnostic services at district level.
This was stated by provincial Minister Riaz Ahmad while talking to livestock farmers who called on him at his residence here on Sunday. For 2008-09, an allocation of Rs 1900 million has been made for the livestock sector which is 58 percent higher than last year's allocation, he added.
Pakistan has great potential in this field. The national herd consists of 24.2 million cattle, 26.3 million buffaloes, 24.9 million sheep, 56.7 million goats and 0.8 million camel. In addition to these, there is a vibrant poultry sector in the country with more than 530 million birds produced annually.
He said that 66 tehsil headquarters veterinary hospitals would be upgraded and 76 mobile dispensaries will be set up to facilitate the livestock farmers.
Meanwhile, 821 new veterinary dispensaries will also be set up at each union council, while 25 out of the 35 districts will be covered by the completion of these three phases.
The minister said that Rs 89 million has been reserved for conducting livestock research, and added that another amount of Rs 70 million would be utilised for educating and training livestock farmers.
Livestock sector has great potential, and can provide and fulfil food needs of the people and enable the people to earn their livelihood, he observed. Agriculture continues to be the largest sector of economy and is currently contributing 23.1 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). Livestock is the most important sub-sector of agriculture with national GDP contribution of 10.8 percent and 46.8 percent to the agriculture value added. Livestock also contributes significantly towards national exports and 8.5-9.0 percent of total exports belong to this sector.
This sector provides raw material for the industry and livestock creates market and capital. It serves as a social security for the rural poor as they can cash it at the time of their need. Livestock also provides security against crop failure particularly in Barani areas. The need is that the livestock farmers should benefit from government's initiatives and help increase the production of meat, milk and eggs to the people at the cheaper rates, he concluded.
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