LAHORE: The government should develop supportive policies for the livestock sector which has the potential for leading economic revival, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Abdul Basit said on Saturday.

He was speaking at the Quaid-e-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan Award and Gold Medal Distribution Ceremony organised by the LCCI Kisan Wing.

The government should set a target of five per cent per year growth for livestock produce which can easily be achieved if investment from the state remains concentrated on composite projects – from embryo development to export of meat for the farm, he said.

Mr Basit said Pakistan is the fourth largest milk producer in the world with an annual production of over 40 billion liters.

“There is a huge potential but this sector is operating mostly in the informal economy and not contributing to the national economy,” he added.

He said dairy farming sector in Pakistan should be revamped on modern lines to tap its huge potential.

The LCCI president said livestock accounts for around 12pc of the GDP and its value is higher than all the agricultural products.

He said a little focus towards this important sector and public-private partnership could yield miraculous results.

Mr Basit said the appetite for Pakistani meat is strong in both domestic and export markets.

However, the exports of live animals should be marginalised and only meat be exported to get maximum benefits, he added.

He said 15pc milk is wasted in transportation requiring instant remedies. More chillers on farmlands need to be established and these can operate through joint ownership of farmers, he suggested.

He said the chillers should be operated on ‘no profit no loss’ basis through interest free government loans which can be returned in five years time.

The LCCI president said poultry meat accounts for around 25pc of domestic food requirements.

A major way to cut cost in poultry is through reducing all import items involved in industry to zero level.

He said local research institutes are required to develop layer chicken farms and establish hatcheries within the vicinities of broiler farms in order to cut the cost of transportation and to keep the overall cost minimal in domestic market.

“In order to root out rural poverty, it is recommended to provide five buffaloes, 10 goats and three acres to widows in each village. Once these are in place, poverty reduction will be ensured and at the same time can provide milk, meat and biomass for the power projects in villages,” Mr Basit added.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017