PRIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s approval of a plan to boost livestock exports through specialised farms, high-yield breeds and corporate restructuring is a welcome step towards unlocking a sector whose potential Pakistan has failed to fully utilise for decades. The decision to allow duty-free import of livestock for specialised export farms and to bring private-sector expertise into the sector is encouraging.
Pakistan is among the leading milk-producing countries, ranking fourth globally, with annual production of around 65 to 66 million tons. Yet, despite producing such a huge quantity of milk, the country still imports dried milk. This is a striking contradiction and reflects a fundamental weakness in our economy: We produce raw commodities in abundance but fail to add sufficient value to them. The same problem exists in several other sectors where valuable agricultural and industrial resources are exported in raw or semi-processed form. The livestock sector offers enormous scope for breaking this pattern. We must move beyond simply producing milk and meat and focus on processing, packaging and developing high-value products. Modern dairy processing, milk powder, cheese, packaged dairy products, processed meat and other value-added products can significantly increase export earnings. International markets are available, but Pakistan must meet their requirements for quality, traceability, food safety and certification. The livestock farmer must remain at the centre of this transformation. Small farmers need better breeds, affordable feed, veterinary services, access to finance, modern farming techniques and reliable markets. Disease control, animal traceability, certified slaughterhouses and cold-chain infrastructure are equally essential for gaining and retaining access to international markets. The government should also encourage private investment in modern farms, processing facilities, research and export infrastructure. Universities and research institutions can contribute by developing better breeds, improving productivity and creating new value-added products. The country already has the livestock base. What has been missing is a comprehensive approach to convert it into economic value. The Prime Minister’s initiative can provide that direction. But success will depend on sustained implementation, strong farmer support and, above all, a shift from producing more to adding more value.
