Livestock generates 60% for Pak’s agri GDP: Minister

ISLAMABAD: Livestock contribution is 60 per cent in agricultural gross domestic product (GDP).

This was said by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFSR), Syed Fakhar Imam on Thursday while chairing a meeting about livestock sector.

He said that for last 14 years livestock census has not taken place.

The country’s livestock should be quantified. Our livestock export has increased this year.

Federal Minister was briefed that there are 7 Exclusive and 9 inclusive functions related to the Livestock Wing among 24 functions of NFSR.

In the Dairy sector, total milk production is estimated to 61.69 million tonnes.in which, available for human consumption is estimated to 49.7 million tonnes and it has 6.1 per cent share in gross domestic product.

In year 2019 -2020, the gross milk production was 61,690.00. Total meat production is 4.75 million tonnes. Livestock sector gives 77.6 million skins and hides - for the leather industry and contributes to 5 per cent of total exports.

Livestock in Pakistan accounts for about 3 per cent of the total exports.

There is a need for Inter - Provincial Coordination for sectoral growth.

There must be control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases ( FMD, PPR, AI and Zoonotic diseases) of trade and economic importance through provincial participation.

There must be exploring new markets for export of meat and dairy products with focus on Global Halal Food Trade Market.