Per capita poultry meat consumption only 4.2kg

Poverty termed major reason for low demand.

FAISALABAD:

Per capita consumption of poultry meat stands at a meagre 4.26 kilogrammes per annum in Pakistan compared to an average of 30kg in developed countries because of prevailing poverty exacerbated by double-digit inflation for the past few years and loss of livelihood due to floods and power and gas shortages.

This figure comes despite the fact that poultry is the second largest industry of the country after textile with investments of Rs300 billion.

The issue came up for discussion in a meeting between officials of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and a delegation of Thailand’s Agro Industry Food Business Group.

Faculty of Animal Husbandry Dean Professor Dr Muhammad Sarwar said investment in the poultry industry must be supported by research and development work which was an integral part of the industry. “Collaboration with the University of Agriculture will help improve opportunities for the sector,” he said.

Thai group’s Vice-Chairman Nutthakrit Sivarsi said his company was interested in investing in Pakistan’s poultry industry and was also eager to join hands with the agriculture university with the support of manpower, researchers and resource persons who would help boost the company’s business.

Professor Sultan Mahmood said the poultry industry contributed 24.7 per cent to total meat production in the country, with Punjab having a major share.

Of total investment of Rs300 billion in the industry, Rs200 billion has been invested in Punjab.

He said poultry farming had rapidly transformed into environment-controlled housing as such houses numbered 6,500 in Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2011.