Muhammad Saleem

The poultry sector of Pakistan is fast coming on par with the international standards and boasts the potential to emerge as the second-biggest export industry following textiles, Dr Sajjad Arshad, acting President of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), told WealthPK. He said that with the help of modern gadgets, Pakistan must enhance the production of eggs and chicken besides enhancing the skills of its manpower employed in the sector. Talking to WealthPK about the disease outbreaks, Dr. Ali Ahmed, a veterinarian, said avian influenza and other diseases often hit the poultry sector, bringing huge losses; however, Chinese technology could help Pakistan mitigate such threats through advanced-level surveillance and control systems. He said Chinese entrepreneurs had developed effective tools to get valuable insights and effectively manage the entire controlled shed systems. Elaborating, he said the Chinese tools encompassed an environment control system, pan feeding line system, main feed line, automatic drinking line, ventilation system, cooling pad, heating system and fogging and disinfection system.

"The poultry products from Pakistan are globally acceptable due to their quality, bringing handsome foreign exchange; however, more forex could be earned by improving the supply chain. Pakistan is exporting eggs and chicks, and a strong supply chain on a sustained basis could push this sector to the next level. "The domestic need for poultry is also surging; we must develop indigenous species like layers and broilers coupled with strengthening the poultry feed and pharma industry," Dr Sajjad Anwar said. A couple of months ago, he said the poultry sector faced problems in feeding the chicken due to the shortage of soybean seed but it's a matter of great satisfaction that the University of Agriculture Faisalabad had developed soybean varieties. By adopting such approaches, he said Pakistan could ensure self-reliance in soybean production in future. Zakar Hussain, a farmer, told WealthPK, "Sensing the surging inflation, I wanted a second source of earning. One of my friends told me about the Chinese incubator.

I managed to purchase one, which has facilities like a high precision sensor with gear turning egg motor, double vacuum observation window, stainless steel wrap angle, a controller, humidifying water tray and other facilities. My younger brother trades in eggs. Now we will sell eggs and chicken together." "I am a welder but know the importance of the poultry business. This business needs rich investment but with the help of a Chinese incubator, I started off on a small scale and would expand it in future. I successfully hatched over ten dozen chicks and wish to earn a good profit by selling them in the local market," said Zakir Hussain. Dr. Ali Ahmed suggested collaboration among the Pakistani and Chinese institutions and industry players to share skills and knowledge. By adopting this approach, he said people attached to the poultry sector of Pakistan could easily access modern knowledge and technology. He claimed that the expertise of Chinese entrepreneurs and scientists in research was exceptional.

INP: Credit: INP-WealthPk