Karachi: Adviser to CM on Fisheries, Livestock Syed Najmi Alam highlighted the underutilization of Sindh’s fishing and farming sectors, emphasizing a new World Bank-supported scheme for fish farming. The adviser addressed the challenges and future plans for enhancing fisheries and livestock management during a meeting with local fishermen and legislative members.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Najmi Alam discussed various initiatives during his interaction with a fishermen’s delegation led by Member Sindh Assembly Asif Khan. He underscored the limited fishing areas and the need for better fish farming practices. To boost the fishing industry, a new scheme will support groups willing to engage in fish farming, offering land for 30 years and covering 75% of the costs by the fisheries department.
Alam also addressed issues concerning the local fishermen’s livelihoods, including proposals to classify them as laborers to provide social benefits and the plans to reintroduce a contractual system for fishery management that had previously been abolished. The adviser mentioned that the government is taking steps to improve the registration and management of jetties and also plans to enhance the safety of fishermen with the installation of trackers on deep-sea vessels.
Further, Alam detailed ongoing efforts in livestock management, from vaccinations for cattle in various districts to the development of animal hospitals across Sindh. He also highlighted upcoming plans to acquire vaccine production technology from Turkey to address prevalent cattle diseases that affect export potential.