Thai group interested in setting up livestock farms

Diplomat for strong cooperation in livestock, poultry industry.

FAISALABAD:

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Sohail Mahmood has said the two countries can boost cooperation in livestock and poultry industry in the form of Halal meat preparation and exchange of faculty, students and skilled manpower.

In a meeting with University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad here on Saturday, Mahmood said Thailand’s biggest Halal meat producer, the CB Group, was interested in investing in establishing farms, processing units and slaughter houses in Pakistan. Thailand was one of the largest exporters of Halal meat and total turnover of the CB Group was $20 billion, he said.

He said Pakistan was producing a large number of livestock and crops, adding it was also a big producer of milk and could make heavy export earnings by introducing latest technology in milk processing. He also underscored the need for setting up meat processing units across the country.

Dr Iqrar Ahmad stressed the need for cementing ties with Thailand, which had proved its mettle in Halal food industry. “There are many avenues of cooperation.”

He said Thailand was the second largest exporter of sugar in the world and there was no concept of crop wastage. In comparison, Pakistan wastes 40 per cent of crops in post-harvest process, which needs special attention of the farming community.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2011.