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| May 23, 2005 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 14, 1426 |
Rs620m livestock projects planned for fata
PESHAWAR, May 22: The livestock and dairy development department, Fata, has invited proposals from stakeholders for its Rs620 million projects planned under the five-year plan (2005-2010) for boosting livestock, poultry and dairy production in tribal areas.
“The projects aim to exploit the vast potential of livestock and dairy development and make them income-generating ventures for tribesmen of Fata,” said deputy director of the department Shahnawaz Khan while talking to APP here on Sunday.
“The objectives of these projects are to conserve livestock and dairy wealth by trying to improve the productive capabilities of livestock, including poultry, through animal health coverage/artificial insemination services, feed and fodder improvement programmes by technical staff,” he said.
One project proposed in the PSDP would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs173 million which would help control contagious livestock diseases and improve indigenous poultry breeds, he said.
A UNDP-funded project is designed to help increase livestock capabilities of indigenous population through genetic improvement so that the income of local farmers got a boost, he said, adding that the project would cost Rs18 million.
The official said the department had incorporated an “Intergraded Dairy Development Project” in the five-year plan to improve the safety of milk and dairy products in the tribal areas.
He said the government had planned “Community Livestock and Dairy Development Project” to support national efforts for poverty alleviation by providing a model for sustainable rural development through livestock-based income generating activities at the rural community level which reduces the incidence of poverty, enhances development opportunities for women, improves household food security and nutrition, and is consistent with safeguarding the environment by promoting integrated farming system.
He said 11 other schemes in the plan would cost Rs429 million.
He added that so far 26 veterinary hospitals, 181 veterinary dispensaries, 81 mobile dispensaries, 204 veterinary centres, and 111 A.I centres have been established in Fata to provide animal health care.
About the ongoing projects, he said 33 artificial insemination centres costing Rs15 million had been opened.
The department, he added, had initiated “Milk Village System” project in Fata with a basic concept of procurement, processing and distribution of milk aimed at boosting economic wellbeing of rural milk producers and helping urban consumers get quality milk at a reasonable price.
The department was trying to take various steps for milk production by organizing dairy cooperative societies.
According to the livestock censes of 1996, the population of cattle, buffalos, sheep, goats and poultry in Fata and FR was 976,000, 82,000, 1354,000, 2147,000 and 600,000, respectively.—APP
He said the livestock production had almost doubled since then, providing 92 per cent employment opportunities, especially to women.
The official said the department was providing in-service training in animal husbandry and extension services to graduate and non-graduate technical staff. —APP
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