ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The government has decided to launch a Rs1.4 billion initiative to increase meat production and meet its growing export demand, particularly in Gulf countries.

Official sources told Dawn on Wednesday that the plan had been finalized to increase the meat production (beef, mutton and poultry) from 2.2 million tons to 3.1 million tons by 2009-10.

The government believes that enhanced meat production would support to narrow the gap between demand and supply of meat in the country.

The main purpose is to essentially meet the growing demand of meat in complete harmony with the objectives of the livestock sector outlined in the Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) that aimed at increasing the production of red meat — veal, beef, mutton and poultry — on sustainable and cost-effective basis.

The meat maximization approach will be in a coordinated manner and will effectively involve all stakeholders, particularly the livestock farming community, as key players.

The increase in meat production will be based on demand driven due to increasing population and increase in per capita income in the country. The objectives and targets of the initiative are to enhance the per unit animal production by adopting policies and strategies defined in the MTDF.

Keeping in view the potential for increasing per animal productivity, the production target of meat has been projected at an average growth rate of 6.5 per cent.

The production of beef is projected to be increased from 1.1 million tons to 1.5 million tons in 2009-10. During the same period, the production of mutton is projected to be enhanced from 740,000 tons to 1.4 million tons.

The project will simultaneously assist to strengthen and enhance capabilities of the processing, quality and value addition of meat and hence more hygienic and quality meat will be available to meet its overall domestic as well as exploiting its export potential/ demand.

The plan is to organize the farming community for “feedlot fattening” to maximize bio-economic and sustainable meat production and its value addition through meat processing and quality control.

Through the new initiative, the farming community will be provided financial and technical support for the establishment of big and small feeder farms for veal, beef and mutton production in all four provinces.

The idea is to also provide full technical and partial financial assistance for infrastructure development at the farm level, slaughterhouses and butcheries. Also, linkages will be created among all stakeholders such as livestock farmers, feed millers, middlemen, slaughterhouses, butcheries and exporters through formation of the Meat Producers and Processing Interest Group (MPPIG).

Similarly, a Project Information Network (PIN) and website will be developed based on database on feedlot fattening farms, slaughterhouses and butcheries. A print and electronic media will be launched for popularization of feedlot fattening practices for increased veal, beef and mutton production.

The project inputs/activities will also help alleviate the necessity of import of meat; rather it will facilitate export of value-added meat.

Capacity building and skill enhancement of scientific manpower and other stakeholders will strengthen their technical know-how, which will help increase meat production, its quality and value addition.

The government also believes that Research and Development on meat production and processing will generate the appropriate technological packages to backstop the feedlot fattening community and meat-processing units for increased meat production, processing and its value addition.

The project will provide opportunity to generate employment through feedlot fattening where manpower will be needed mostly in unskilled and rural peri-urban areas. More opportunity will be generated for purchasing and selling of animals potentially involved in feedlot fattening.

It is believed that the establishment of modern slaughterhouse and butcheries would generate employment opportunities. Furthermore, the training under the programme will help create skilled manpower, which will also have a spillover effect on unskilled manpower.

The project will have close liaison with the Livestock and Diary Development Department of all provinces. Federal and Provincial Steering Committees will assist in the execution of the project. The Federal Project Management Unit will be responsible for the plan and its execution. Besides, it will monitor all activities of the project.

The project through its multi-disciplinary approach will facilitate in vertical/quantitative enhancement of livestock productivity in terms of red meat through development and application of highly appropriate new feeding management technologies and improved management practices through public-private partnership.