Govt started mega projects for development of livestock: Essa
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABD—The Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture & Livestock, Prince Essa Jan Blouch has said in his statement that taking into consideration critical role of livestock in national economy, government has launched various mega projects casting Rs. 6.8 billion including the “Enhancement of the Production of Meet and Milk”, “Prime Minister’s Special Programme for Livestock Development” and “Betterment of Livestock Services Project”.
The Federal Minister said that for the enhancement of meet production of private sector approx. 2600 Livestock farms will be established with the help of the private sector. In this project, the government will provide technical and financial assistance. He said that until now 1500 people have signed the document for this project and the primarily work has been started. Under the enhancement of milk production project a link of approx. 10,000 small farm owners would be established with the market and approx. 20,000 animals of better reproductive ability would be available. In this connection, the farmers have already been imparted technical training.
He further said that the “Prime Minister’s Special Programme for Livestock Development” would be completed with the collaboration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in rural areas. Eight NGOs have already been engaged under this programme and in 1900 Tehsils of 80 Districts throughout the country better medical facilities would be provided to livestock farms. At the village level, community organizations would be established and 7500 rural livestock workers would be trained who would provide medical treatment to the animals of these areas.
The Federal Minister also said that the project for providing medical facilities at the door step of farmers is very important for the betterment of livestock services. For this project the European Union has provided the technical and financial aid to the government of Pakistan which would improve the livestock sector in the country.
"Under the livestock farms' project, the government will provide technical and financial assistance to farmers for establishing farms," the minister said adding the project will be launched with private sector support. He said about 1500 people have already approached the government for establishing farms adding that primary work has also been started.