Rs300m livestock fibre project planned
A major initiative aimed at transforming livestock fibre into high-value products has been planned to accelerate rural industrialisation in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), thereby opening new income streams for farmers and artisans.
The project is titled "Value Added Livestock Products (Wool, Hair and Mohair) for Rural Industrialisation of Pakistan (G-B and AJK)" and carries a total cost of Rs300 million. The three-year project, which will run from July 2026 to June 2029), is planned to be implemented across all districts of G-B and the Neelum Valley in AJK.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project focuses on value addition, productivity enhancement and modernisation of the fibre value chain. By organising the entire chain from raw material collection to finished products, it aims to increase livestock farmers' incomes by 15-20% through value addition, improved processing and better market access. Under the initiative, 35 raw material collection units will be established – 30 in G-B and five in AJK – alongside cleaning, spinning and processing units, including one in each G-B district and one in the Neelum Valley. Additionally, four weaving and four stitching centres will be set up in G-B and AJK to promote local craftsmanship and finished products.
The project also envisions the registration and operationalisation of the Yak Dwellers Association to strengthen institutional capacity and improve linkages with international yak networks. Community ownership of collection and processing units will be promoted to ensure sustainability and inclusive growth.
Tourism-oriented display and marketing centres for finished products will be created to enhance visibility and boost sales. Linkages with tourism markets and private-sector buyers are expected to generate revenue through service charges and product sales. Capacity-building programmes will be conducted for farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs to improve production techniques and business skills. To enhance fibre quality, vaccination and deworming of 25,000 animals are also planned under the project.
Aligned with the 5Es framework, the 13th Five-Year Plan and the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Project (NAIGP), the initiative supports livestock value addition, rural enterprise development, institutional strengthening and sustainable livestock management.
By tapping into niche fibre products and promoting small-scale industrialisation in remote areas, the project aims to transform the underutilised livestock resources of G-B and AJK into a structured rural industrial value chain.
With modest federal investment, the initiative is poised to generate employment, strengthen local enterprises and contribute to sustainable rural industrialisation in G-B and AJK.