ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed that a comprehensive plan be chalked out to address the issues related to the livestock sector.

He also approved a proposal for the establishment of a model Agriculture Produce Market in Lahore which would serve as a model and would be replicated in other parts of the country to facilitate farmers in their agricultural produce.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting to discuss the potential and issues related to livestock, backyard poultry, small and medium dairy farms and the Agriculture Produce Markets in the country.

He was informed that there existed huge potential in the livestock sector especially the export of meat to China and the Gulf countries.

It was informed that creation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMT) Free Zones in the country and incentivizing saving and calf fattening programs could significantly help in realizing the country’s potential in livestock sector.

The prime minister was also briefed on the potential in backyard poultry and small and medium dairy farms.

The meeting discussed in detail the issues relating to Agriculture Produce Markets and how the farmers were being exploited by the monopolies created due to dysfunctional market committees.

A detailed briefing was given to the prime minister on the plans to put in place legal framework besides upgrading 76 agriculture produce markets in 24 districts with infrastructure development, relocate 9 markets and establishment of 6 new markets in the next 5 years.