The government of Punjab has increased the distribution of free livestock to rural women, according to the reports on Sunday.
The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has doubled the quota for the distribution. And so far, 9,255 animals have been given to widowed and divorced women in 12 districts of South Punjab.
Punjab free livestock programme
The move is expected to help these women and help them earn income and improve their living conditions.
At the same time, the government is also planning to expand the livestock and meat export sector.
Punjab seeks to export up to one million livestock animals under new agreements signed with seven organisations, including a Chinese company.
Under this plan, a Chinese firm will work with Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company to set up a large boiler unit.
This will also help process meat for export on a large scale. Officials have said that these companies will first import meat from about 0.3 million animals ready for export.
The government has also set targets to prepare more animals. Around 300,000 cows and buffalo, and 300,000 sheep and rams will be fattened. In addition to this, 100,000 goats and sheep will be raised for export.
To improve the sector, modern veterinary hospitals will also be built in every tehsil, and mobile veterinary units will provide services in rural areas.
The government is also planning to modernise farming by giving up to 60 per cent subsidy on equipment such as milk chillers, mixers, and other machinery.
To support exports, two million animals will be tagged for tracking. And two million doses of breeding material will be given at subsidised prices to help improve the animal quality.
Officials have said that no major livestock diseases have been reported since 2022. These include the Lumpy Skin Disease and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia. Locally made vaccines are also now available at a lower cost than imported ones.
