RAWALPINDI: The Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Punjab government launched the ‘Backyard Poultry Initiative’ of the prime minister, at the Poultry Research Institute here on Monday.

The project is designed to provide five million pre-vaccinated high laying birds throughout the country including Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The project will cost Rs1.6 billion, of the total cost, 30pc would be borne by the federal and provincial governments, while 70pc would be shared by the beneficiaries.

Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sahibzada Mohammad Mehboob Sultan along with Punjab Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development, Sardar Hasnain Bahadar Dreshak and PTI leader Jehangir Khan Tareen inaugurated the backyard poultry initiative, during which birds and chickens were distributed among the beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said Prime Minister Imran Khan in his very first speech to the nation expressed his grave concern for malnutrition and resultant stunted growth in children.

“This programme is one of the steps for the provision of animal protein and other food nutrients to under nourished population,” he said.

The provision of cheap poultry products was a good step to address the issue of malnutrition, Mr Sultan said.

Under the project, 5 million vaccinated chickens would be distributed at subsidised rates and would be accessible to all and sundry, he said.

According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018-19, 40pc children up to five years of age in Pakistan have different physical and mental health issues, and according to the survey conducted by Unicef, Pakistan ranks third in this menace.

“We need to take concrete steps to address the issues in small children and achieve zero hunger target. The ‘Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Programme focuses on economic, agricultural and social revolution in the country, and the backyard poultry is successful internationally tested programme,” he said.

Mr Mehboob Sultan said that the project could prove vital for our women especially those residing in villages. This initiative will strengthen them physically and economically , Sultan added.

Punjab Minister Husnain Dreshak also spoke on the occasion.

PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen reiterated that to bring agriculture revolution, the government would leave no stone unturned. “We are hoping that after successful completion of these initiatives Pakistan would be able to export agricultural products instead of importing,” he added.

National Food Security Secretary Dr Hashim Popalzai said the focus of this initiative was to bring the rural population out of poverty and the ministry was grateful to the prime minister, who attached great importance to address the issue of malnutrition.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2019