Minister Urges Robust Growth of Animal Husbandry Sector to meet Competitive International Standards

Dated : 4 May 2024

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized the crucial need for stronger industry-academia ties in the animal husbandry sector to boost productivity and exports. Chairing a meeting with the Animal Husbandry Committee and vice chancellors of veterinary colleges, Minister Iqbal stressed the importance of modernizing education curricula to meet contemporary demands and align with the 4th industrial revolution.

Highlighting the sector's pivotal role in achieving sustainable economic growth and development, Minister Iqbal underscored the need for academia-industry linkages to equip individuals with requisite skills. He noted that despite being the 4th largest milk producer globally, Pakistan's dairy and poultry products lag behind countries like New Zealand and Norway in terms of quality, emphasizing the need to capitalize on increased production to propel the livestock industry to global prominence.

Minister Iqbal directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to implement performance audits in educational institutions to ensure quality standards and prioritize high-caliber research endeavors. He reiterated his commitment to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Pakistan's animal husbandry sector through collaborative efforts between government, academia, and industry stakeholders, aligning with his 5Es framework, which prioritizes exports-lead growth.

By fostering stronger industry-academia ties and modernizing education curricula, Minister Iqbal aims to boost Pakistan's exports, promote technological innovation, and provide a competitive edge to the country's economic sector, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth and development.