Punjab and the Federation agree on a cooperative plan to maximise the potential of the livestock industry.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Minister for National Food Security and Research, emphasised on Tuesday that significant reforms and implementation are impossible without robust provincial cooperation, especially with Punjab, which is a key player in livestock production.
In order to discuss a coordinated plan for the growth of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock industries, the minister presided over a high-level meeting with Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani, the Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.
The minister underlined that the livestock industry has enormous unrealised potential for expansion, employment, and exports and is a significant pillar of the agricultural economy.
Despite its importance, he pointed out, the industry lacks a completely regulated and structured framework, which restricts its productivity and ability to compete globally.
He emphasised the necessity of creating large-scale, contemporary animal farms, encouraging scientific breeding in facilities that are registered, and boosting production that is focused on exports.
He also emphasised that Pakistan needs to implement a legal framework that permits sustainable and controlled exports because there is a significant global market for live animals.
The minister reaffirmed that the Ministry will keep supporting integrated efforts to modernise the sector, facilitating collaboration among provinces, and offering policy support.
The Punjab Minister expressed his viewpoint and emphasised the province’s proactive involvement in bolstering the cattle industry.
In addition to guaranteeing appropriate tagging and vaccination to enhance traceability and animal health standards, he explained that programs like the livestock card are giving farmers access to interest-free financial assistance for the purchase of animals.
In order to improve production and meat quality in accordance with international standards, he added, Punjab is actively supporting livestock fattening programs and herd transformation projects.
Additionally, he said that attempts are being made to create disease-free zones, especially in Bahawalpur, which will greatly increase export potential and guarantee adherence to international hygienic standards.
Both ministers concurred that in order to establish a well-regulated, export-driven livestock industry, federal and provincial policies must be coordinated.
To fully realise the potential of the industry, they emphasised the significance of modern farming methods, better breeding systems, and improved animal health infrastructure.
In order to make Pakistan’s livestock sector a strong, sustainable, and internationally competitive industry, the meeting ended with a resolve to improve institutional coordination and work together to achieve policies.