US to help increase farmers’ incomes

People trained in implementing good agricultural practices.

LAHORE: The United States, as part of its commitment to promote the economic development of Pakistan, will support farmers by building their business capacity and generating higher incomes, said US Consul General Nina Fete in Lahore.

“Higher incomes will improve their (farmers) lives and the lives of their families,” remarked Nina Fite at a certificate distribution ceremony for recent graduates of a livestock export training programme supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

In the programme, the participants were trained in Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, a standard for dairy and meat exports required by many European and international markets.

By implementing GAP, Pakistan’s meat and dairy producers will be able to export to wider markets, grow their business and boost the country’s economy.

“Programmes, like this USAID-funded training, will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of Pakistanis through the promotion of livestock entrepreneurship,” Fite said.

Global GAP is an international private body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural production processes.

The training was organised by the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) with funding from USAID. Thirty people from across the livestock sector participated in the three-day training programme held in Lahore from May 15-17 in collaboration with FoodPlus GmbH Germany, the secretariat of Global GAP.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2012.