Hyderabad, In an effort to bolster the economic impact of the livestock and fisheries sectors, Syed Najmi Alam, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh for Livestock and Fisheries, has emphasized the need for significant development in these areas. During a comprehensive tour and series of meetings in Hyderabad, Alam discussed strategies to enhance the standard of living for residents through targeted improvements in sector management and infrastructure.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, during his visit, Alam directed enhancements in animal vaccination processes and called for increased training for departmental officers. His instructions come in line with directives from Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who has prioritized the development of these sectors as a means to improve lives and economic outcomes across the province.
The meetings highlighted various operational challenges, including staffing shortages and the need for more robust veterinary services at the tehsil level. Alam ordered immediate action to fill vacant positions and expedite development projects that are lagging. He also noted the importance of controlling animal diseases through better monitoring of animal movements between cities and provinces.
Director General of Livestock Hizbullah Bhutto informed that of the sanctioned 688 veterinary posts, only 418 are currently filled, with plans to recruit the remaining through the commission. Bhutto also shared significant figures, noting that millions of large and small animals have been vaccinated across the province.
Further discussions touched on the legislative measures needed to protect indigenous breeds from over-slaughter due to rising meat demands. Plans include introducing schemes to preserve small animal populations and utilizing consulting firms to oversee development projects. Additionally, advancements in artificial insemination were discussed as a method to enhance livestock quality and increase production.
The day concluded with Alam distributing chicks to women from less privileged backgrounds, part of a broader initiative to combat malnutrition among children in Sindh. This program underscores the department’s dual focus on improving both agricultural output and public health outcomes.