Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Quetta: Conference on “Livestock Research and Development in Balochsitan” held in Quetta on Thursday, where over 100 male and female livestock farmers from 32 districts of Balochistan participated in the conference to discuss the constraints and development opportunities of Livestock in Balochistan.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Chief Minister of Balochistan Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Advisor to Chief Minister on Livestock and Forest, Ubaidullah Jan Babat, Balochistan, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr. Nadeem Amjad and Secretary Livestock and Dairy Department, Balochistan Mohammad Siddiq Mandokhail addressed the conference.
Federal Minister said that development of livestock sector in Balochistan was one of the top priorities of the government, adding that present government is giving top priority to livestock farmers mainly the small and landless farmers, who are living in miserable socio-economic conditions in the province.
Balochistan has wonderful potential in livestock sector, which provides livelihood to 70 percent population directly or indirectly, said Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan on Thursday while addressing the livestock farmers conference on “Livestock Research and Development in Balochsitan” in Quetta.
“The government is making efforts for increasing productivity, improving feed and fodder availability, improving coverage of animal health care, provision of extension services, and improvement of marketing systems and intensification of relation with private sector.” Sardar Sikandar informed.
“The province has the high population of sheep (12.8 million), goats (11.8 million), and camels (0.4 million), the overall profit turnout of the farmers is, however very low (10-15%), he added.
“Balochistan is a province of diverse resources and ecologies but it also faces challenges of water scarcity and harsh weather conditions.” He said
The Minister said that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was implementing Australia-Balochistan Agribusiness Program (AusABBA) in six districts while the USAID-supported Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP) is being run in 8 districts. “FAO is also supporting in the formulation of Balochistan Agriculture Sector Policy and Strategy (ASPS). Organizations like AusABBA and BAP are working closely with rural communities for Wool Value Chain Development in Balochistan.
Staff Reporter
Published in The Balochistan Point on March 31, 2016
