The Minister of State for National Food Security & Research, Mr. Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, recently visited the Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) to discuss ongoing projects and performance. During the visit, Mr. Khan emphasized that the livestock sector is the backbone of agriculture, contributing 63.97% to the sector’s overall output, surpassing the combined contribution of all other crops.
He stressed the importance of supporting local farmers by increasing taxes on imported powdered milk to improve their financial condition. He also suggested providing farmers with tractors, agricultural machinery, and low-cost seeds to alleviate poverty. The Minister was briefed on LDDB’s innovative programs, including dairy and fattening animal models, which have benefited small livestock farmers and led to the emergence of local companies.
The LDDB’s 2007 “Milk Project” was highlighted as a landmark initiative that strengthened the dairy sector. The Minister was informed that LDDB is a self-reliant and autonomous organization with trained staff, vehicles, office equipment, and adequate funds, operating without any financial burden on the government. LDDB serves as a reliable federal-level platform for inter-provincial collaboration and is working on slaughterhouse improvement, provision of adulteration-free milk in Islamabad, and genetic improvement through sexed semen to increase meat and milk production.
The Minister directed LDDB to submit a comprehensive briefing on its future plans and assured that he would personally take up the matter with the Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A commemorative shield was presented to the State Minister by Dr. Shahid Amin, CEO of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board, on behalf of LDDB.
