USAID-Balochistan project to boost livestock productivity

Small owners will be provided convenient access to markets and training

QUETTA:  

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a 4-year US $8.2 million cooperative agreement with the Balochistan Department of Livestock & Dairy Development.

Department Secretary Dostain Khan Jamaldini and USAID representative Dr Fahim Abbasi  signed the agreement. Balochistan Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Mitha Khan Kakar, Inayatullah Kakar, Dr Shahid Amin and others were also present on the occasion.

The project, named Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activities (PATTA), aims to increase the productive capacity of animals through the use of modern technology which would enable cattle owners to gain financial stability and improve their quality of life. To achieve this, small owners would be provided convenient access to markets as well as training to enhance their capability, management and technical skills.

In addition, contacts of cattle owners will also be established with equipment manufacturing companies so that the owners are able to purchase the latest equipment and use it themselves to enhance the sector. On the occasion, Jamaldini, welcomed the agreement and said that it  would provide direct economic benefits to the cattle  owners of Balochistan and would also help develop the sector.

Meanwhile, Kakar thanked USAID and said that the project would encourage small owners. He also said the project would not only make small cattle owners prosperous, it would also provide stability to Balochistan’s economy.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2020.