KARACHI – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and American Soybean Association launched the “Aquaculture Handbook – Fish Farming and Nutrition in Pakistan”, a handbook jointly written by Pakistani and American scientists.
The handbook is as part of an ongoing USDA effort to expand farmed-fish yields and farmer incomes through better fish feeding and management practices.
Addressing the event, US Consul General Brian Heath said that coastal and inland fish farming presents an opportunity to make seafood available to more consumers at more reasonable prices, while generating additional income for Pakistan’s farmers.
He said, “The US is helping Pakistani farmers make better use of water resources, providing an impetus for supply chain development, and generating demand for fish feed.” The increase in the supply of farmed fish, said Heath, will expand the availability of protein for Pakistan’s young and growing population. Since 2011, USDA’s Aquaculture Project has helped train hundreds of farmers through field demonstrations, seminars, and one-on-one site visits. US and Pakistani experts have also helped a local feed manufacturer establish production of high-quality fish feed using soybean-derived ingredients, providing farmers with a ready supply of feed.
Jam Khan shoro, the Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, said that Pakistan has immense resources to boost its fishery sector. Elaborating he said that the country has got 1100 km long coastal line of marine water which is perfectly suitable for fishery and aquaculture business.
