In a significant stride towards strengthening livestock and fisheries department, in collaboration with the World Bank, introduced the Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Development Project (SLADP). The initiative was discussed at length in a high-level meeting chaired by Honourable Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Kazim Hussain Jatoi, Additional Secretary Dr. Ali Akhtar Shahani, Director General of the Sindh Institute of Animal Health (SIAH) Dr. Nazeer Ahmed Kalhoro, DG Livestock Dr. Hizbullah Bhutto, Director Fisheries Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Larik, Javed Memon and other relevant officers the department.
Briefing about the project, Dr. Nazeer Kalhoro informed the meeting that the SLADP is designed to ensure competitive, inclusive, and climate-smart growth in Sindh’s livestock and aquaculture sectors. By leveraging the insights gained from the successful Sindh Agricultural Growth Project (SAGP), the SLADP builds upon earlier interventions to address productivity, income, and environmental challenges.
The ambitious project targets include a 30% increase in productivity, a corresponding 30% boost in farmers’ income, and a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.Speaking on the occasion, Minister Malkani lauded the project as a transformative opportunity to modernize Sindh’s agricultural landscape. “Livestock and aquaculture are lifelines for millions in Sindh. This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, equity, and environmental stewardship. With World Bank support, we aim to ensure prosperity for smallholders and women farmers, who are vital to this sector,” he remarked.Dr. Nazeer Ahmed Kalhoro elaborated on the project’s comprehensive strategy.
He explained that SLADP consists of multiple components, each addressing key facets of the livestock and aquaculture value chains. Component-1 focuses on institutional strengthening to enhance the capacity of stakeholders, while Component-2 is dedicated to establishing robust value chains for dairy, meat, aquaculture, and women-led enterprises.Key interventions under the project include forming and financing 650 groups of small- and medium-sized farmers. These groups encompass 300 dairy-focused cooperatives, 180 meat production units, 100 aquaculture groups, and 70 women-led enterprises. Each group will benefit from advanced training, financing mechanisms, and access to markets, ensuring equitable development and financial inclusion.
The initiative is underpinned by extensive preparation, as highlighted during the meeting. Since November 2021, the Livestock and Fisheries Department has collaborated closely with the World Bank through multiple technical missions to design the project. These missions assessed sectoral challenges, beneficiary capacities, and the potential for alliances and sustainable practices.
The project also prioritizes gender inclusivity, with a dedicated focus on empowering women entrepreneurs in the livestock and aquaculture sectors. Through targeted support and capacity-building programs, women-led cooperatives will play a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation.As the meeting concluded, Minister Malkani reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging this partnership with the World Bank to maximize the socio-economic impact. He expressed optimism that the project would serve as a model for sustainable development, not only in Sindh but across Pakistan. With the financial and technical agreements between the Livestock and Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh and the World Bank now finalized, the SLADP is poised for immediate execution. Once declared effective, the project is expected to catalyze lasting benefits for small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and the broader population of Sindh.
