LAHORE: Following Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development (PL&DD) Department’s decision to ensure the supply of ostrich meat at butcher shops across the province even on meatless days, an ostrich meat shop was inaugurated by PL&DD Minister Sardar Hasnain Dreshak on Tuesday.
Due to the unavailability of beef and mutton on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, people are unable to buy fresh meat and the department of livestock has planned to sell ostrich meat during these days.
Sources told Pakistan Today that the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) has collaborated with the Ostrich Association of Pakistan for the project and citizens will now be able to purchase ostrich meat from various shops, one of which was inaugurated by the minister at UVAS.
“Ostrich farming is new but a profitable business and the bird’s meat will be available at different butcher shops and departmental stores. This meat is healthier than mutton and beef and contains rich vitamins that make it more suitable for pregnant women, diabetics and a complete diet for every age group,” the provincial minister said while speaking to Pakistan Today.
The minister further said that almost 250 to 300 kilograms of meat can be obtained from one ostrich.
“Initially, 400 ostrich farms have been registered in Punjab where 20,000 birds are available and the price of meat will be around Rs1,200 per kg. After an increase in productivity, the price will be lowered.”
Earlier, while addressing the inauguration, the minister said that last installment of subsidy which had been given to ostrich farms was still pending whereas the decision regarding subsidy would be made in the next fiscal year.
It may be noted that the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had planned to provide Rs70 million for ostrich farming through which a subsidy of Rs60 million was to be given to the farmers while a subsidy of Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 per bird was given.