Poultry industry can help government to earn hefty foreign exchange:Mian Shahid

Lahore: Chairman of the United International Group Mian Shahid on Sunday said Rs 700 billion poultry industry can help government earn hefty foreign exchange.

The sector providing jobs to million and catering for the protein needs of whole population deserves encouragement, he said.

The prices of poultry should be brought down through relief in taxes to enable poor to get full benefit of the cheapest source of animal protein, he added.

Mian Shahid said that beef is costly, mutton is out of reach of majority while the consumption of fish in Pakistan is two kg per capita which is lowest in the world.

The situation has left around 90 percent of the population to rely on poultry to get animal protein which is 10 percent lower than the normal limit in an average person.

He said that poultry industry is growing by 10 to 12 percent annually despite all odds which must be protected and promoted so that it can continue to serve masses.

He said that said that per capita egg consumption in developed countries stands at 300 to 400 eggs while the rate is 60 in Pakistan which needs to be improved.

US provides subsidy to 360 billion dollars on food products to keep its population healthy, Saudi Arabia gives 50 percent subsidy on poultry products while Pakistan is yet to take meaningful steps in that direction.

He said that decent, healthy and sufficient diet should be in reach of the masses to save them from disease, low productivity and compromise growth rate.

Population is growing but per acre yield is stagnant since some years which can result in food security situation.