President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry highly appreciated the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) programme "White Revolution Programme "for the promotion of dairy sector development.
He said that 5 billion credit facilities to dairy farmers would bring white revolution in the country. He added that Pakistan is the 4th largest milk producing country of the world and it fulfilled its domestic consumption with fresh milk, adding that dairy milk powder was being imported only to prepare food formula and baby food for kids and this amount will help to better the rating.
He further said that 9 percent mark-up will encourage to small farmers and low income houses to generate their own income resources as well as enhance milk production in the country. He said share of livestock in the GDP stands at 14.4 percent adding that the sector contributes 49.6 percent share in agri-GDP which he said was growing at the rate of 4.3 percent annually, which reflects broad vision and vibrant policies of the government to boost livestock sector.
President ICCI while discussing to the members of agriculture sub committee of ICCI that Government has taken many positive initiatives to support the farming community by providing them liberal credit facility, quality seed and other inputs for better crop production on sustainable basis. He added that 5 billion rupees is sufficient amount which will not only help enhance production of milk but price will also come down.
He further said that livestock sector is providing livelihood and jobs more than 8 million families including people living in far-flung areas, he said adding that it also provides raw-material for dairy industry of the country.
President demanded the government should take serious measures to bring down the mark-up rates for industrialisation. He informed that in 2003-4 mark-up rates were in single digits therefore record new industries were established in the country.