USAID stresses help for dairy sector
Says improvement can help alleviate poverty in country
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission director John Groarke has said that Pakistan's dairy sector is underperforming due to inadequate management practices, thereby limiting the production and income of one of the country's most viable avenues of poverty alleviation.
Groarke was talking at the concluding ceremony of USAID's smallholder dairy project programme.
"Pakistan is one of the world's largest milk producers, and with involvement of an estimated 35 million people, most of whom are living in Punjab, it offers tremendous potential to generate investment," said Groaker.
He further said that USAID Pakistan has successfully concluded a five-year $21 million project in Pakistan to assist USAID dairy and agriculture programme reforms.
"The three year smallholder dairy project, started on January 2011 with $14 million findings had proved immensely successful, the project was further extended for two years adding another $7 million."
The programme focused on investment mobilisation, market linkages, productivity enhancement, and sector reforms. "Both the public and private sector play a critical role in all of these areas and we strive to cultivate enduring partnerships."
He further stated that the project fostered a sustainable increase in dairy and livestock productivity through the adoption of best dairy farming practices, breed improvement, availability of timely extension services and promotion of livestock business.
Another notable accomplishment was the establishment of Pakistan's first commercial-size biogas plant. "Although biogas might not seem the most glamorous of topics, the impact of this environmentally friendly, healthy and holistic plant most certainly will be, biogas is an energy source like no other," Groarke said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2017.
Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission director John Groarke has said that Pakistan's dairy sector is underperforming due to inadequate management practices, thereby limiting the production and income of one of the country's most viable avenues of poverty alleviation.
Groarke was talking at the concluding ceremony of USAID's smallholder dairy project programme.
"Pakistan is one of the world's largest milk producers, and with involvement of an estimated 35 million people, most of whom are living in Punjab, it offers tremendous potential to generate investment," said Groaker.
He further said that USAID Pakistan has successfully concluded a five-year $21 million project in Pakistan to assist USAID dairy and agriculture programme reforms.
"The three year smallholder dairy project, started on January 2011 with $14 million findings had proved immensely successful, the project was further extended for two years adding another $7 million."
The programme focused on investment mobilisation, market linkages, productivity enhancement, and sector reforms. "Both the public and private sector play a critical role in all of these areas and we strive to cultivate enduring partnerships."
He further stated that the project fostered a sustainable increase in dairy and livestock productivity through the adoption of best dairy farming practices, breed improvement, availability of timely extension services and promotion of livestock business.
Another notable accomplishment was the establishment of Pakistan's first commercial-size biogas plant. "Although biogas might not seem the most glamorous of topics, the impact of this environmentally friendly, healthy and holistic plant most certainly will be, biogas is an energy source like no other," Groarke said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2017.