Punjab agriculture projects to be linked with CPEC: Agriculture Minister

Pattoki: Punjab provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi has said that under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ongoing agriculture projects in Punjab could be linked with CPEC to achieve the set objectives.

Presiding over a meeting to review the performance of Livestock and Dairy Development Department at Buffalo Research Institute Pattoki, Gardezi predicted that the second phase of the CPEC will bring a real change.

The minister mentioned that the second phase of the CPEC especially focused on the agriculture sector and will help boost Pakistan’s agriculture production.

The Agriculture Minister directed that the Livestock and Dairy Development Department should promote livestock and dairy development business on commercial basis.

He ordered to scale up the scope of its projects so that livestock farmers in Punjab could get maximum benefit from it.

Gardezi appreciated the successful implementation of Livestock department’s innovative In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technology in ending animal infertility in Punjab.

He directed the Livestock Department to upgrade its existing labs, which would enhance its efficiency as well as enable the export of dairy products to foreign countries.

The minister stressed that there was a need to focus on manufacturing the local animals’ vaccine according to international standard and changing the breeding process of small animals.

On the occasion, Punjab Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshk remarked that the department could achieve its fixed targets with initiating practical based programs, adding that the government should ensure the appointment of a competent and qualified vice chancellor for Dera Ghazi Khan Veterinary University.

He underlined that the department needed to focus on consistency in its policies, capacity building and better utilization of land.

During the meeting, Chief Research Officer Dr Mahmood Ijaz Gorsi gave a detailed briefing on infrastructure and human development, annual development programme, development strategy and pace of work on major projects.

An official statement said Punjab Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshk, Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab Syed Naveed Shirazi and Head of Chief Minister Special Monitoring Unit Fazeel Asif besides other senior officers attended the meeting.