ISLAMABAD: The country’s Rs 700 billion poultry industry can help the government earn hefty foreign exchange and can produce millions of jobs through various initiatives.
United International Group Chairman Mian Shahid in a statement here Sunday said this, adding that the prices of poultry should be brought down through relief in taxes to enable poor to get full benefit of the cheapest source of animal protein. He said that beef was costly, mutton was out of reach of majority while the consumption of fish in Pakistan was only two kg per capita which was lowest in the world.
The situation has left around 90 percent of the population to rely on poultry to get animal protein which is 10 percent lower than the normal limit in an average person. He said that poultry industry was growing by 10 to 12 percent annually despite all odds which must be protected and promoted so that it could continue to serve masses. He said that per capita egg consumption in developed countries stood at 300 to 400 eggs while the average rate was Rs 60 per dozen in Pakistan which needed to be improved.
US provides subsidy to 360 billion dollars on food products to keep its population healthy, Saudi Arabia gives 50 percent subsidy on poultry products while Pakistan is yet to take meaningful steps in that direction, Shahid added. He said that decent, healthy and sufficient diet should be in reach of the masses to save them from disease, low productivity and compromise growth rate.
Population is growing but per acre yield is stagnant since some years which can result in food security situation.
