Dairy products manufacturing: farmers' economic constraints termed biggest obstacle

Economic constraints and low social status of farmers are the biggest obstacles in manufacturing of dairy and livestock products. Despite highest position of Pakistan in milk producing countries in the world, farmers are unable to improve breeding level in the country.
These views expressed by speakers during the opening session of two-day international workshop on "Dairy Science Park," organised by KP Agricultural University here in collaboration with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority and other business stakeholders.
Minister for Agriculture, Arbab Ayub Jan formally inaugurated the workshop. Notable speakers on the occasion included Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr Mohammad Naeem, Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences, Professor Dr M Subhan Qureshi, and former dean of the faculty, Dr Habibullah. Arbab Ayub said that the dairy and livestock sector has integral part in development, saying the province is totally dependent on Agriculture sector because of slow growth of industrialisation. He stressed the need for promotion search culture in educational institutions, saying research is considered mother of agriculture sector.
He said that government has approved four-tier formula for extension of agriculture department. The formula would also be introduced in the research department as well. He reiterated that the government is giving priority to agriculture and irrigation sector, adding Chashma Lift Canal Gravity Project in DI Khan will irrigate 3,000 canals barren lands in the province.
The minister observed that unemployment is the biggest challenge, which can be addressed by boosting up the aforementioned sectors in the province, he maintained. "Our economy is totally base on development of Agriculture sector", he opined. "We have increased allocation for agriculture sector from 0.8 to four percent in Annual Development Programme (ADP)," he said. He expressed hope that the figure would swell to seven percent in next fiscal year.
He acknowledged that dairy sector has great contribution in the economic development of the country. He informed that targets have been set for agriculture sector and would be achieved by adopting integrated and viable strategy. Dr M. Subhan, Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences, AUP, in his opening remarks said that the Pakistan has enough ability to produce livestock and dairy products as compared to international market, but the economic barriers are hitting the sector hard.
He informed that the workshop is being held to take all stakeholders, including business entities, on-board to develop a holistic approach for making improvement in dairy development and put forward various concrete proposal and recommendations in this regard.
Dr Subhan sought government's support and proper allocation for development of dairy and livestock sector in different local and international funded projects. He expressed concern over the barriers on exporting products and demanded increasing exports quota of the products.
Acting VC of the varsity, Professor Dr Naeem also spoke on the occasion and underlined the significance of the workshop. Later, Arbab Ayub visited different stalls set-up on the sideline of three-day workshop and appreciated the contribution of various companies for development of the agriculture sector. More than 400 local and international delegates, including farm researchers, livestock and dairy development experts, academician, officials of livestock development, and importantly, representatives of co-sponsors and stakeholder, like SCCI, Smeda and other financiers participated in the workshop.