Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmed Ali Aulakh has said despite financial constraints, the Punjab government is paying special attention on the development of livestock sector. He was addressing a Cheque distribution ceremony organised by Livestock & Dairy Development Department and Punjab Agriculture & Meat Company (PAMCO), here on Thursday.
The minister said Cheques of Rs 72.5 million were being distributed among the 117 beneficiaries of 'Save the Calf Project' belonging to Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur districts. He said that livestock was the asset of Pakistan and they had world famous Neeli Ravi Buffalo and Sahiwal Cattle having equal potential for milk and meat.
Pakistan being an Islamic country has great potential to have access to $3 trillion Halal meat market in the world. But to make an inroad in international Halal market livestock farmers and processors would have to upgrade products and animal in line with international standards by value addition so that they might be able to export the surplus meat to the Islamic countries, he added.
The minister said that the Livestock & Dairy Development Department was working on the right track as during 2010 floods, the livestock department team worked very hard in vaccination and treating the affected animals due to which up till now there was no outbreak of disease in the province.
Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh in his remarks said the present government had launched revolutionary 'Save the Calf' programme which will support the livestock farmers to enhance the meat production of the country. He said necessary steps were also being taken by the government to introduce country's agriculture and livestock products abroad, which would definitely improve economic situation of the province.
PAMCO Chief Executive Officer Dr Hamid Jalil said that Pakistan has 180 million livestock strength and ranks 4th in the world after America, India and China. He said they would provide incentive to the livestock growers to raise livestock on scientific lines.