950817

Govt to

distribute

buffaloes,

cows on

easy terms

ISLAMABAD: After the Awami Tractor Scheme, the government is introducing another Rs 8210.6 million people's welfare oriented project-the Awami Dairy and Meat Project-to help improve the availability of pure milk and healthy dairy products.

This was disclosed by the Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Nawab Muhammad Yusuf Talpur while talking to a team of farmers which met him here on Thursday.

He said, 3500 milk chilling plants were being established for collection and chilling of milk to ensure its smooth supply to the urban areas.

The minister said that under the project one lakh heads of local buffaloes, one lakh cows, 10,000 local Sahiwal Holstein Friesian cross cows and 90,000 pure Holstein Friesian would be distributed among the small farmers and landless peasants in rural areas in Punjab and Sindh on credit to be provided by ADBP or the commercial banks through their Kissan counters on easy instalments at very low interest rates.

The minister said that the scheme will generate employment for 0.5 million farmers and provide livelihood to 40 million rural population and contribute one million tons of milk and 6000 tons of meat annually. He said that at least 15-20 animals will be provided in one village for their proper health and care.-APP