The United States Consulate in Lahore organized a seminar on Thursday to help the Pakistan fish industry develop aqua and animal feed manufacturing units. The seminar was organized by the US Foreign Commercial Service Section in collaboration with Extru-Tech, a Kansas-based company that specializes in extrusion technology. Deputy Political and Economic Chief of the US Consulate Lahore, Douglas Johnston, and Public Engagement Officer Matthew Wilson were the guests of honor at the seminar. A large number of feed millers, poultry farmers, fish farmers, fisheries officials from across Pakistan, academia, and corporate businessmen also attended the event. The seminar highlighted the versatility of a good extrusion system in producing the best quality fish and shrimp feed in the face of depleting river and ocean fish resources in the country.

Dr. Yaqoob, a representative of Extru-Tech, said that climate change had adversely affected fish production in the rivers and oceans, and there was an urgent need to develop inland aqua production. He added that feed was vital to the production of fish and shrimp, and that floating feed technology was essential for fish production in Pakistan. Douglas Johnston said that US companies play a significant role in Pakistan's business environment, and that over 65 US companies are registered and operating in Pakistan. He said that the total trade volume between Pakistan and the United States was $9.9 billion. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which participants asked questions about the extrusion process, feed formulations, and floating feed technology.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)