The Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) and the Punjab government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen a progeny testing programme in the province.
LDDB sources said both would sign the agreement on Saturday in the provincial metropolis. The Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development department is already running two big projects namely buffalo research institute Pattoki and conservation of Sahiwal Cattle.
Under this agreement, Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) will help the provincial development for further strengthening the efforts being made in this regard.
The sources said LDDB would extend all inputs required for strengthening these projects like equipment, manpower, financial and technical resources and training.
Sources said objective of this project is to promote animals of good breed, which can enhance production of milk and meat in the province. Strategy to enhance horticulture export necessary: Salman
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics, Dr Salman Shah stressed the need for adopting two-pronged strategy to enhance horticulture competitiveness in the country.
He said, "firstly, the quality of produce for both domestic as well international market should be improved by adopting good agricultural practices and secondly there is need to diversify product range." There must be a holistic, integrated and co-ordinated approach based on leadership by key agencies, he said and highlighted the importance of the private sector, including the commercial banks, as key players in the development of the horticulture sector.
He was chairing the meeting of Task Force on Horticulture, Finance and Competitiveness (TFHF&C). He said that goal of the Task Force was set to establish a world-class horticulture industry in Pakistan and added that its objectives are to ensure that agreed changes are included in government policy and in the work plans of the various agencies actively involved in horticulture development.
He said that the Task Force also wants to facilitate the work of the active agencies and to encourage the private sector, especially the commercial banks to provide the industry with the investment and resources required for success.
Shah also put special emphasis on the establishment of wholesales markets in major cities adding that the Punjab Agriculture Marketing Company (PAMCO) will be coming up with a few projects on identified initiatives.
The world horticulture market is valued at $80 billion to which Pakistan contributes an annual $130 million. Only about 16 percent of fruits are being processed, although, this activity offers great opportunity to augment volume of value added products using modern technology.
The fruits and vegetables exported in fresh form attract discount prices because exporters are unable to provide adequate grading and packing. Pakistan's horticulture export industry's share in the world market has risen steadily from about 5 percent in 1991 to 12 percent (value 2004). The potential markets for the Pakistani exporters have been identified in Europe and the Middle East.
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