A delegation of Dairy Science Park called on the Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr Inayatullah Khan and reviewed the progress made so far on these issues and consideration of a new project on Academic Support to the livestock industry under the Dairy Science Park. The Minster directed for consideration of the project in a high level meeting very soon. The delegation comprised Prof M Subhan Qureshi Dean FAHVS, University of Agriculture Peshawar; Prof Sarzamin Khan, Dr Niaz Ali KMU, Mr Zafar Hussain Feed Industry, Engr Irfan Qureshi Chief Executive DSP, Dr Asad Sultan, , Dr Rajwali Khan UAP, Dr Abdur Rashid Peshawar University; and Mr Riaz Hussain, Mr Hafeezur Rahman and Mr Kamran Khan private Sector.
The people of urban areas of KP are exposed to livestock products coming from unhygienic farming system in the province, adulterated milk and even dead birds imported into the province. The local administration instead of supporting the local producers, has capped the prices of milk and meat produced in the province. The prices of farm inputs are uncontrolled while the prices of milk and meat are controlled through a flat rate, irrespective of the quality, grade and presence of toxins, pathogens and adulterants. The Dairy Science Park has offered their services through veterinary and medical experts and representative of the industry and the administration.
The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA are facing critical challenges like terrorist attacks on schools, universities, markets and mosques. The region and the adjoining Afghan premises have been sites of local and international conflicts since times immemorial and is not likely to end in the near future.
The terrain of KP is different from rest of the country, being hilly, mountainous and arid, with little availability of irrigated and cultivated land and development support. However, the stereotyped policy has kept the development process subordinate to Punjab where irrigated land, good breeds of animals and abundance of animals, feeds and fodders are available. A pleasant development has been the increasing export of meat by Punjab Government, reaching up to US$ 250 million. This did not happen accidentally, rather it was result of hard work of the farmers, keen interest of the investors and an enabling environment created by the Punjab Government. Sheep and goats from KP has been used as raw material for meat export from Punjab. In KP no such efforts could be seen at state or private level.
Pakistan has been blessed with natural resources; however, utilization of resources could not be ensured efficiently. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province possesses the following livestock resources:
| Unit | Cattle | Buff | Sheep | Goats | Poultry | | Population (million) | 7.98 | 2.46 | 3.70 | 11.86 | 270 | | Value (Rs. billion) | 478.8 | 196.6 | 92.4 | 237.1 | 81.0 | | Total value | Rs.1.09 trillion | | Annual meat production | Rs.200 billion |
International Halal meat market comprises about US $500 billion and is mostly contributed by the non-Muslim exporters. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province possess a huge scope reflected in the table, based upon the sheep and goats populations inhabiting the hilly and mountainous terrains. A major portion of the sheep, goats, cattle, and poultry is reared under medium-sized holdings, which provides an opportunity for business development.
Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences being a mother institute can play a pivotal role in extending services regarding provision of trained manpower to the provincial government for ensuring quality meat to the public, and can also facilitate sister organizations in research and diagnostic activities. The US Department of State is supporting the Dairy Science Park in Biorisk Management, and the United Nations has accepted the Park as a partner for SDGs.
Pursuant to a presentation of a team of UAP/DSP, the Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Inayatullah Khan has allocated Rs.200 million for establishing a model slaughter house under the Park. During inauguration of the Third International Workshop on Dairy Science Park 2015, the Minister has directed for initiating project proposals to achieve the targets of self-employment and hygienic food production for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Under INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2014-2018, Sustainable and effective local government system; Improved Citizens participation of has been proposed that empowers communities at grassroots level. In a state of limited fiscal resources, either more revenue needs be generated from additional sources or existing resources must be better allocated. Increase Fiscal Space For Social Development: Effective policy oversight and an accountable resource management system for sustainable fiscal space has been proposed.
Industrial development for economic growth and job creation: Improved enabling environment for private sector including SMEs and cottage industry through entrepreneurial friendly regulatory framework and other support has been proposed.
Dairy farms are located in the urban areas, and sheep, goats, and poultry farms in the rural regions. The medium-sized farms, factories, and marketing chain lack quality standards and have failed to provide the due financial return to the farmers and food of acceptable quality to the consumers.
Academic supported has been proposed for livestock industry of KP under the Dairy Science Park. The project will convert these facilities into viable enterprises, capable of creating self-employment for the youth and hygienic food for the people of KP to support food security and export. A Faculty of Dairy Science Park would be established at UAP as a growth engine for livestock entrepreneurship. The existing Faculty of AH and Vet Sciences will be strengthened through new disciplines, and split into two faculties of Animal Production and Veterinary Sciences.
New programs like Biorisk Management, Quality Control and Halal Certification programs will be launched in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories USA, Dairy Science Park Society, Khyber Medical University, United Nations, and other national and international organizations. New technologies and practices like solar energy, biogas, animal traceability, elite semen, and industrial biotechnology will be available. Implementation of Dairy Science Park Authority Act will become feasible, capable of creating export processing zones in the province.
 
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