Balochistan govt plans livestock markets in six districts
A man wears a protective mask as he sells cows for the upcoming Eid Al Adha sacrifice, at the cattle market, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Peshawar. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Balochistan government has planned to establish livestock markets in the current financial year at various districts to increase meat productivity to boost economy of the province, said Balochistan Livestock and Dairy Development Director General Dr Ghulam Hussain Jaffar.
“The government has already approved a plan of establishing livestock and leather markets at six main cities of the province to help improving standard of marketing of huge livestock sector, having potential to change the lot of farmers,” said Jaffar while talking to APP.
It was recommended to set up markets with veterinary and basic facilities in six districts of the province with an estimated cost of Rs472.68 million, he added.
He said the main intention of establishing the livestock markets was to eliminate the role of brokers and facilitate the livestock keepers directly. The director general highlighted lack of proper marketing of livestock and dairy development as the main issues.
“The main aim of approving the plan was to increase livestock production in Balochistan and boost the vital sector as per directives of the prime minster,” he added.
Expressing best wishes for the livestock sector, he said that the province had the potential to export domestic animals to gulf countries to earn precious foreign exchange. The DG said the livestock markets would have the facility of veterinary dispensary, vaccination, proper treatment to the ailing animals brought to the markets for sale or purchase.
He added the animals should be handled with care in an appropriate manner according to their variety and be fit for sale in the market. “Vaccination is also being provided to the animals through mobile dispensaries on the routes of nomads to overcome the threats of different viruses.”
The director general maintained the provincial government was formulating long term policies to increase meat production. “For the first time, the provincial government has launched the Balochistan Livestock Policy for the next ten years.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2020.