LAHORE – Indigenous resources need to be harnessed to achieve economic prosperity, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said while introducing the Star Farm Model at the inaugural session of Star Farm Initiative Suppliers Conference 2011 at chief minister’s Secretariat on Monday.
He said that development of agriculture, livestock and dairy farming sectors are essential to achieve economic stability and to decrease dependency, adding that the introduction of Star Farm Model will result in increasing agriculture production and improving tradability which will usher in a new era of agri-development.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Ahmed Ali Aulakh, Secretary Agriculture Arif Nadeem, Secretary Livestock Jehanzaib Khan, Vice President International Affairs Metro Group Anton Kjnife, Managing Director Star Farm Hans Peter, progressive farmers, processors and a large number of traders were also present.
Agriculture has a key importance in the national economy, the CM said, adding that Pakistan needed to tap into its resources of fertile land, water and brainpower. He said if a comprehensive strategy been adopted during the last 63 years, Pakistan would not have needed foreign assistance. He said that there is a vast scope of development of livestock sector and Pakistan is the fourth largest producer of milk in the world but its share in the global trade in these sectors is almost negligible.
He said that Middle East and other Islamic countries import Halal meat and other products from Brazil, Argentine and South America despite the fact that the aerial distance of these countries from Pakistan is very short. He said that Pakistan can earn huge foreign exchange by developing its livestock, agri-products and dairy farming sectors. He said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the uplift of these sectors and a shipment of 25 tons Halal meat has been sent to Malaysia first time in the history of the country. He said that Agriculture Department has also been given the target of export of agri-products of two billion dollars.
He said that Punjab government has started a project with the collaboration of Star Farm Consultants under public-private partnership for developing agriculture sector on scientific lines and linkage of local and international markets which will result in at least 20 per cent increase in agri-production and will reduce post-harvest losses by 30 percent. He said that compared to development funds of Rs 1 billion in 2008, Punjab government had provided Rs 3 billion to agri-sector in 2011. He thanked Metro Group for holding Star Farm Suppliers Conference 2011 and said that the conference will yield positive results and help in the promotion of modern technology and increase in per acre yield in the country. Vice President International Affairs Metro Group Anton Kjnife while addressing the conference appreciated the vision of CM Punjab Shahbaz.
