KARACHI, Feb 29: Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Sardar Manzoor Khan Panhwar has said that shrimp and dairy farming in Sindh was being developed on a priority basis in Sindh.

Speaking at a meeting organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a local hotel, he said that assistance from China and Iran had been sought for bringing about an improvement in shrimp farming. Experts from Iran are likely to visit Pakistan shortly for the purpose, he added.

The minister said that the federal government had agreed to allot land in Sindh for farming and processing of shrimp. Acting President of the KCCI Hamid Nisar, in his welcome speech, called for measures towards streamlining of livestock and of aqua-culture techniques on modern lines. He suggested establishment of a modernized hatchery for shrimps and other sea resources in view of the worldwide demand.

He maintained that modernization of fish harbours and improvement of local trawlers and boat-building would help enhance capacity of sea-food catch. He urged the government to formulate realistic policies which should be instrumental to encourage public-private partnership in projects of livestock sector.

Mr Nisar expressed concern over recent slump faced by poultry farming in the country, particularly in Sindh. Although there was no severe problem of avian flu in the country, the adverse propaganda on media had caused drastic effects on poultry business, he said.

He was of the view that the role of government in averting such baseless propaganda was somewhat sluggish. "Effective measures are needed to improve poultry market," he maintained.

The fisheries minister underlined the need for training of fishermen and sought the KCCI's suggestions and practical help in planning the training programmes.

He said that the facility of training and necessary education should be provided to the fishermen onboard their boats and vessels as they devote much of their time to fishing.

No institute or experts are there to provide them training, help improve shrimp catching and develop of value addition processing plant in this sector, the pointed out.

Sardar Panhwar declared that there was no disease, prevailing in Sindh, that could be declared harmful to consumers of poultry products. The diseases of common nature did exist but they had already been checked through vaccination. Very effective vaccines are prepared for poultry diseases, he added.

Discussing the impediments in the development of fisheries, particularly in the export of fish and shrimps, Sardar Panhwar regretted that fishermen were deprived of facilities and even their livelihood. For the welfare of fishermen community, he said a maternity home and a computer centre was being established with a cost of Rs64 million. -PPI