Poultry farming an easiest economical mode to boost rural economy.

PESHAWAR -- Poultry farming continues with upward trajectory with over 1.02 billion broilers being produced annually which contribute in boosting rural economy and poverty alleviation in the country.

Following the creation of Pakistan, people were largely dependent on domestic poultry, mostly comprised of native breeds of chickens and eggs to fulfill their meat proteins and economic needs. In 1960s, the commercial poultry had gained roots in Pakistan by showing a sustainable growth despite different challenges.

It was during 1970's when the sector witnessed a growth of 20-30 percent per annum which continues to grow at the rate of 10-15 percent in 1980's owing to vibrant domestic market and increase in poultry meat consumption courtesy to population explosion.

During last three years, the domestic and commercial poultry had showed substantial growth as estimated production of the domestic poultry was registered as 85.86 million units in 2016-17, 87.16 million units in 2017-18 and 88.19 million units in 2018-19.

The investors after sensing high profits prospects focused on commercial poultry by establishing around 20,000 modern poultry farms in the country including about 5000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mostly located in Manshera, Abbottabad, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Chitral, Batagram, Charsadda, Bajaur, Malakand, Shangla, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Swat, Orakzai and Peshawar.

According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock Policy 2018, Pakistan has achieved a substantial growth rate of 8-10 percent per year in poultry sector making it the 11th largest poultry producer country of the world.

The KP Government, keeping in view of its enormous economic and health benefits, launched 'Backyard Poultry Farming Program' under the Prime Minister National Agriculture Emergency Program (NAEP) to alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunities for people besides ensuring economic empowerment of the women folk.

Contributing 1.4 percent share in GDP in 2015-16 and attracting over Rs 200 billion investments, the poultry sector input in agriculture and livestock value-added stood at 6 percent and 11.7 percent. Its value added factor-cost has jacked up from Rs 140.5 billion in 2014-15 to Rs 151.2 billion in 2015-16, showing a raise of 7.6 percent compared to last year. Similarly, poultry's share stands at 30 percent in the country's total meat production which provide jobs to over 1.5 million people.

Similarly, commercial poultry witnessed an upward growth...

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