Jehangir Khan Tareen, Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives has advised the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) to finalise the strategy making process for development of the dairy industry at the earliest possible so that a presentation can be made to the Prime Minister for final approval. He reviewed the draft presentation prepared by the Strategy Working Group (SWOG) with support from Smeda and USAID on Friday in the Ministry. The SWOG is composed of a number of the leading stakeholders from dairy sector, which is working with Smeda as its secretariat. Whereas, M/s J.E. Austin Associates, USA are collaborating as consultant on behalf of USAID.
The meeting was attended by Salman Ghani, Federal Secretary Industries, Production and Special Initiatives, Shahab Khawaja, chief executive officer, Smeda, Mumtaz Ahmad, Additional Secretary, Minfal, Kavin Murphy, President J.E. Austin Associates, USA and a number of stakeholders from dairy sector. Faisal Farooq, a prominent stakeholder of the dairy sector led the SWOG in this meeting.
Tareen said that the strategy to be evolved for development of dairy sector would be developed as a common agreed document through discussion and consultation with Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock besides an extensive contemplation by the private sector's stakeholders and experts of the dairy sector.
The presentation made on this occasion showed that the strategy under review would help establish Model Farms and Model Procurement systems which would be supported by radical policy reforms.
The presentation claimed that the strategy would turn Pakistan to become a center of excellence in dairy technology, increasing the income of farmers from Rs 13 billion to Rs 28 billion in next two years.
Referring to the economic impact of the proposed strategy, the presentation pointed out that currently the government revenues in dairy sector were standing at Rs 30 billion only, which would rise up to Rs 74 billion within next three years.
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