Summary Punjab plans to export 1 million livestock under CM Maryam Nawaz initiative with MoUs, mechanization, subsidies, and breeding support to boost meat exports and rural economy.
LAHORE: (Dunya News) - Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s efforts have yielded significant results as Punjab is set to export 1 million animals under a new livestock development initiative.
A special video-link meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where key decisions were taken and detailed briefings were presented. Provincial Minister for Livestock Ashiq Hussain Kirmani briefed the meeting on ongoing initiatives in the sector.
According to the briefing, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed with seven organizations, including a Chinese company, to promote meat exports from Punjab.
A Chinese company, Global Meat, in collaboration with PAMCO, will install a boiler unit in Punjab to facilitate large-scale processed meat exports.
Under the plan, companies will import 300,000 ready-for-export animals for meat processing, while targets have been set for fattening 300,000 cattle and buffaloes and 300,000 sheep and goats. Additionally, 100,000 goats and sheep will be raised specifically for export purposes.
For the first time, mechanization will be introduced in livestock farming, with the government providing up to 60% subsidy on modern machinery including milk chillers, feed mixers, weighing scales, and other equipment.
It was also decided that state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals will be established in every tehsil of Punjab, while four mobile veterinary dispensaries per tehsil will provide treatment services in rural areas.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has doubled the quota for free livestock distribution among rural women.
According to the briefing, 9,255 animals were distributed among widowed and divorced women in 12 districts of South Punjab, while 2 million animals will be tagged to meet export targets. In addition, 2 million semen doses will be provided on subsidy to enhance livestock breeding.
Officials further noted that no cases of lumpy skin or hemorrhagic septicemia have been reported in Punjab since 2022, even after recent floods. Imported lumpy skin vaccines cost Rs300, while locally produced effective vaccines are available for Rs30.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that neglect of the livestock sector in the past was regrettable, adding that livestock farms can become a key source of economic self-reliance.
