Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s economy will get a boost after the successful development of its fisheries industry, in addition to alleviating poverty, reducing food insecurity and creating more jobs, said Assistant Director of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KPK) Directorate of Fisheries Saddam Hussain, according to a press release received by WealthPK.

Saddam Hussain said that the “KPK government gives a lot of importance to the protection of natural habitats of fish and marine-food. Developing fisheries is an important part of KPK’s development story.”

He said, “KPK government has launched the Science Agenda, which is a step forward in the adoption of modern technological solutions to our most pressing problems. If we take hold of the reins of science and use it to our purposes, we will be able to end our dependence on the outside world for solutions. Science Agenda will give us sustainable development.”

He further informed that the total cost of implementing the Science Agenda will be PKR 1.5 billion. “It will improve the landscape of technology across the province through public-private collaborations. Fisheries will also be supported through the adoption of modern breeding methods and farming techniques,” he added.

Saddam Hussain said that the “exponential increase in human population has necessitated exploitation of other available sources of food. Other than the available land, water sources can also be explored for this purpose. Fish is an important source of protein. If we develop our fisheries industry, we will be able to provide high quality nutrients-rich food for our younger generation at low cost.”

He said that the “Fisheries Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to playing its role in making the province self-sufficient in the production of white meat (fish) on a sustainable basis by utilizing all available resources of water, including canals, streams, rivers, dams, reservoirs and commercial fish farms.”

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk