Cottage industry: FATA Secretariat boosts livestock farming

PESHAWAR:

The FATA Secretariat’s Department of Livestock and Dairy Development is taking initiatives to boost the sector in tribal areas, with a three-month project being launched to promote livestock in three agencies and two Frontier Regions (FRs).

Tribal people mostly keep livestock in their houses because it is profitable. They also get milk, cheese, yogurt, and meat from the animals and sell them for livelihood. Therefore, the department is focusing on a number of projects that seek to increase the production of these goods.

Dr Tariq Mehsud, a veterinary officer of the department, said the animals usually suffer from diseases which result in their deaths during the winter season. Their nutrition is also a factor in their early demise, he stated.

Mehsud said tribal farmers with 10 to 50 male animals will be provided fodder, wheelbarrows, manual chaff cutters and other items under the scheme.

He said the project would initially be employed in Khyber Agency, Kurram Agency, Orakzai Agency, FR Peshawar and FR Kohat, adding that it would be extended all over the tribal areas next year.

“The aim of the scheme is to encourage livestock businesses,” explained Mehsud.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2013.