Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Staff Reporter
Quetta: Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri has said that livestock and agriculture sectors are the mainstay of economy of the province and government is taking concrete steps for their development.
“Balochistan has been bestowed with rangelands, natural pastures and various weathers that is significantly supportive for breeding of cattle and agriculture,” he added.
He was addressing to the Livestock Formers’ conference organized by Livestock Department Balochistan here at a local hotel on Thursday.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, FAO country head Patrick Evan, provincial minister, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Provincial Secretaries, cattle breeders and farmers were present on the occasion.
Lauding livestock department for organizing such an important conference, Chief Minister said that Balochistan’s environment is apt for livestock therefore historically our people had been staunchly linked with livestock. “Balochistan has rangelands, natural pastures, hills and various weathers that is why a large part of our population is associated with livestock,” he added.
He said that following 18th Constitutional Amendment livestock has become a provincial subject but unfortunately it has been neglected despite that fact more than 60 percent people are attached with this sector. “I have taken notice of this and asked concerned secretary for detailed briefing in this regard so that measures could be taken for the promotion of livestock and agriculture,” he said.
Chief Minister Balochistan said that forests and trees are considerably essential for catering the need of livestock and other requirements; however, our forests are vanishing very fast. He stressed upon the need that such types of trees should be planted that could be used as fodder for cattle as well. “Without planting trees and protecting forests we would not be able to control the negative impacts of climate change,” he said, adding that in European and other foreign countries, over 40 per cent of land area of very country is allocated for forests.
He said that government is seriously taking the issue of deforestation and climate change thus decided to allocate a healthy budget for forestation. “I request every family to plant trees in the name of their children and government would provide the free trees,” he announced.
He also announced a project under which women would be provided support and facilities in connection with promotion of livestock and agriculture.
Published in The Balochistan Point on March 31, 2016
