Punjab recorded a 43 percent increase in animal exports as 400,000 animals were prepared for shipment over the past year. Rural livestock farmers are expected to earn Rs11 billion from these activities.
A total of 129,581 animals raised under the Livestock Card scheme have been exported to international markets. Registration of rural women farmers under the Livestock Card scheme grew from 90 to 1,107.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the government aimed to improve farmers’ access to national exporters and international online markets. Authorities linked 1,725 fattening farms with 20 export slaughterhouses, 88 meat exporters and 34 meat traders.
The provincial government notified eight Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) compartments and plans to establish seven more this year. Five modern slaughterhouses and five meat-processing plants are planned by the government.
The government will offer Rs19 billion in financing subsidies for integrated livestock value-chain investments. Private investment of Rs65 billion is expected in the meat value chain.
Punjab’s first FMD vaccine production unit is planned under a public-private partnership with a planned private investment of Rs28 billion.
