Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) – Transforming Livestock Sector of Pakistan

Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) was established under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) with a vision of economic growth through livestock sector development. GCLI aims to transform the livestock sector in Pakistan by introducing advanced technologies and modern farming practices. It focuses on livestock genetic improvement, herd transformation, livestock traceability, and the support of small farmers. Advanced Sexed Semen and IVF Labs, the Grass Root Incentivized Dairy Development (GRIDD Project), the Disease Control Drive, the establishment of Modern Cattle Markets, and the Indigenous Breed Preservation program are the key initiatives of GCLI. It is also strengthening fisheries sectors in Pakistan.

The primary focus of GCLI is the transformation of the livestock sector by improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability to support economic growth, food security, and livelihood opportunities.

Sexed Semen Production by GCLI in Pakistan 

Vision and Mission of GCLI

The vision of Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) is to catalyze the transformation of Pakistan’s livestock sector into a dynamic, sustainable industry that fosters economic growth, ensures food security, and provides livelihood opportunities for communities across the nation.

The mission is to revitalize Pakistan’s livestock sector through comprehensive strategies that enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability throughout the value chain. GCLI aims to empower livestock farmers, improve livelihoods, and contribute to national food security and economic prosperity by implementing targeted interventions in breeding, nutrition, healthcare, and market access.

About SIFC–Special Investment Facilitation Council

The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), established by the Government of Pakistan, is a strategic initiative designed to enhance economic growth by attracting foreign and domestic investments. It provides a “single-window” interface for investors. SIFC is prioritizing the Energy Sector, Agriculture and Livestock Sector, IT and Telecom Sector, Mining and Minerals Sector, Industry, tourism and privatization. It is facilitating foreign and local investment in Pakistan through Single Window Operation, Ease of Doing Business, and various other initiatives. Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) and Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) are part of SIFC.

ڈی جی گرین کارپوریٹ لائیوسٹاک انیشیٹو کا ڈی سی ایف اے پاکستان کے مرکزی دفتر کا دورہ

Key Initiatives of GCLI for Livestock Sector

Modern Livestock Farming Projects

Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) is playing a key role in transforming barren lands into productive livestock hubs through modern corporate farming. One of the major projects is at Rakh Ghulaman, District Bhakkar, where 1,000 acres of previously unused land is being developed into a livestock farm with 2,800 superior breed cattle rearing. This project includes modern animal sheds, advanced farming equipment, and an IVF lab to improve breeding practices.

Another significant project is underway at Kallurkot, District Bhakkar, where 741 acres of unused land have been allocated for dairy farming. The initiative involves modern dairy infrastructures for 2,400 cattle and developing value-addition setups to maximize productivity. AT Jugaitpeer, District Bahawalpur, a vast desert area spanning 4,200 acres is being transformed into a large-scale livestock farming hub, designed to rear 30,000 animals. This project includes the establishment of IVF labs and an Animal Genetic Research Center to support advanced genetic research in livestock. All the above farms will use advanced farming techniques for fodder growth, including the use of Central Pivots and modern plant/machinery.

Reviving Government Livestock Farms

Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) is also working to revive Government-owned livestock farms by partnering with private investors under a Public-Private Partnership model. The initiative allows investors to lease government farms for 30 years, during which they are responsible for infrastructure development, rent, utility bills, and staff salaries, without disturbing the core functions of the setups. As a part of this initiative, Disease-Free Compartments are being established to maintain high health standards, while IVF labs and research facilities are being developed to preserve indigenous breeds and improve genetic potential.

GRIDD Project

About 90% of Pakistan’s herd is low-yielding (Brazil largest exporter of Beef, with the same cattle population), and owned by small farmers, who lack modern livestock management practices and are mostly exploited by the middleman. There is no guaranteed off-take of produce, no incentivization, and no distinction between dairy & meat breeds (dairy animals are slaughtered for beef).

Incentivization of small farmers is the only way to mitigate these issues. Cognizant, a project namely Grass Root Incentivized Dairy Development (GRIDD Project) has been launched nationwide to support small-scale farmers. This GRIDD Project focuses on “Enhancing dairy and meat production by transforming low yielding animals to the high producing herd of local farmers through provision of doorstep free of cost / subsidized extension services, contributing towards poverty alleviation”, by developing collaboration with all stakeholders.

پاکستان آرمی کی جانب سے جگلوٹ، گلگت میں ویٹرنری کیمپ کا انعقاد

This initiative has a footprint in the entire country; being successfully operating in nearly fifty districts of all provinces including AJ&K and GB, in collaboration with Provincial Livestock departments and private investors. The process starts with the registration of farmers by the Private Investors and their animals by the Provincial Livestock Department.

Milk Collection Centers are established by the investor, where farmers deposit their daily milk produce, and collected by the investor for further processing and value addition. Farmers are given a guaranteed offtake of their produce and in return provided doorstep free of cost/ subsidized extension services by the Livestock Department and supported by the investor through Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) activities. Farmers are educated and facilitated to increase milk and meat production.

National Herd Transformation Drive

The vision of the National Herd Transformation drive is to “transform Pakistan’s low-yield herd through a collaborative approach, involving all stakeholders, utilize conventional, sexed semen and embryos from high-yield animals to enhance productivity while maintaining separate high-yield dairy and meat breeds for optimized production.” For achieving the ultimate objective of separate Milk and Meat breeds, GCLI focuses on a multipronged strategy of indigenous breed preservation and simultaneously introduction of exotic breeds for the upgradation of non-descript herds (about 90% of total Pakistan cattle are non- descripts).

Sexed Semen Lab and IVF Lab by GCLI

GCLI is enhancing the genetic potential of livestock through advanced assisted reproductive technologies of sexed semen and IVF. Sexed semen technology is a groundbreaking reproductive innovation that enables farmers to choose the sex of their animal’s offspring before insemination, typically favoring female calves for dairy production and male calves for beef.

GCLI has made history by establishing Pakistan’s first Sexed Semen Lab at Okara in collaboration with ST Genetics (USA) – a significant milestone for livestock development. The lab will produce 500,000 sexed semen straws annually. This technology offers numerous benefits, including targeted gender selection with up to 90% accuracy. In dairy farming, it facilitates the production of more female calves (heifers), thereby boosting milk production. In beef farming, sexed semen from high-yielding breeds increases the proportion of male calves, optimizing meat production and enhancing overall efficiency. Moreover, an advanced IVF lab is already functioning, providing bovine embryos of superior exotic and indigenous breeds. GCLI is also facilitating Provincial Governments and private sector to establish more IVF Labs.

For the proliferation of this technology, an outreach program will facilitate farmers at their doorsteps, while fall in approach provides housing facility available for Livestock farmers to place their cattle at Lab premises (GCLI Okara Farm) for 3 months, after which confirmed pregnancy will be ensured.

Indigenous Breed Preservation

GCLI is committed to preserving and promoting Pakistan’s indigenous dairy and meat breeds, through genetic improvement. Indigenous breeds are hardy, disease resistant, and adaptive to local feed resources and environment. The methodology will include pooling of superior genetics and proliferation through Selective Breeding. The Azi Kheli Buffalo and Achai Cow breeds from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been received for conservation at GCLI Farm Okara. Moreover, Yak breed preservation farm has been established in Nagar Valley, GB with 3000 yaks. Similarly, we have plans to include more cattle breeds through collaboration with Provincial Livestock Departments. Soon Bhagnari breed cattle from Baluchistan will also reach GCLI Farms.

National Tag & Traceability Drive

The National Tag & Traceability Drive was launched in April 2024. Its aim is to modernize Pakistan’s livestock sector by tagging and digital record keeping. Tag and Traceability is required for Herd Transformation and adding Value to Product for higher market opportunities. Furthermore, it will curb illegal Slaughtering / Smuggling and theft, while improve market access through digital livestock registration through a digital platform of PAITS (Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System).

Disease Control Drive

Green Corporate Livestock Initiative – GCLI’s Disease Control Drive aims to combat livestock diseases like FMD, Bovine Tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases by improving vaccination and disease management. For the local production of an international standard vaccine, collaboration between private investors and Govt of Punjab (UVAS &VRI) is being facilitated by GCLI. Scientists from Novartis Company (US based medicinal company) visited the UVAS FMD Vaccine facility in September 2024.By boosting local vaccine production, the drive will reduce disease outbreaks, lower livestock mortality, and enhance productivity.

GCLI Initiatives for Fisheries Sector

Recognizing Pakistan’s fisheries potential, GCLI has launched innovative aquaculture projects aimed at increasing sustainability and productivity. Our priority includes advancing the development of the aquaculture industry. GCLI is promoting shrimp and cage farming. Foreign Direct Investment is also being encouraged for deep sea fishing. A host of governance, legislative, and related supply chain issues are being looked into to promote growth in the fisheries sector.

LegislativeInterventions

In July 2024, GCLI achieved milestones by amending the Marine and Inland Aquaculture Policy and developing the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP) to ensure traceability and export readiness. Moreover, significant tax relief measures were introduced in year 2024/25 budget, as a result of GCLI’s dedicated efforts. Govt of Pak has implemented significant tax relief: duties on fish seed have been reduced from 37%, shrimp feed from 60%, and both fish and shrimp brood stock from 60% to 30.5%. Additionally, customs duties on Import of Aquaculture Products and Machinery have decreased from 50% to 28.5%.

Shrimp Farming

While Pakistan’s vast potential for shrimp farming remained largely untapped, GCLI led the charge to transform this vision into reality, laying the foundation for a thriving shrimp farming industry. Punjab Fisheries Department identified 48,000 acres of brackish land for shrimp farming. In August 2024, a 100-acre pilot shrimp farm in Muzaffargarh stocked 8 million Post Larvae, leading to a historic 120-ton harvest in November. On November 15, 2024, history was made as 21 tons were exported to Vietnam, followed by shipments to Jordan, which marked Pakistan’s entry into the $57 billion global shrimp market.

Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) revitalized an abandoned hatchery in Sindh through a Public-Private Partnership, establishing Pakistan’s first Shrimp Half Hatchery, reducing costs from Rs. 15 to Rs. 4.5 per post-larvae. Additionally, GCLI collaborated with AMG-Thai Union to convert a fish feed mill into a shrimp feed mill, cutting feed costs significantly.

Indus Delta’s 1.2 million acres of saline land is becoming a hub for shrimp farming, with 150 acres already in use. At Dhabeji Aqua Farms, advanced techniques yielded 21 tons of shrimp in 65 days from just 3.5 acres, with exports to Sri Lanka. Rawah Shrimp Farms, a 30 acres pilot project in Gharo, District Thatta, exported its first yield to Qatar and Oman, cementing Sindh’s role in Pakistan’s aquaculture resurgence.

With SIFC’s support, GCLI envisions expanding shrimp farming to 2,000 acres in the near term, targeting $150 million in exports over five years. GCLI’s success highlights Pakistan’s emergence as a regional hub for aquaculture, creating jobs, attracting investment, and driving sustainable growth.

Cage Fish Farming

Cage Fish Farming is being promoted in inland and coastal areas, allowing farmers to use modern techniques for sustainable fish farming. Currently, 526 x cages have been charged, with an estimated production of 631 Tons (@1.2 ton/cage) and expected revenue of Rs 720 Mn. 3 New Hatcheries of Tilapia & Pangasius were established in Punjab; production of 5 Mn Seeds @ Rs 8/ Seed (prices reduced from imported seed @ Rs 20/ Seed). GCLI is reaching out to large-scale Farmers / Entrepreneurs for the hatchery of Pangasius and Tilapia. Trout farming is also being promoted in GB, KP, AJ&K and Baluchistan.

Marine Aquaculture

Additionally, marine aquaculture development is a key focus. Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) is modernizing marine fishing operations and addressing challenges to ensure sustainable practices and higher yields. With the endeavors of Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI), Pakistan has secured an extension of two years for export to the USA, registration of 35x Fish Export companies with EU, Russia, KSA, and China (previously restricted registration due to sanitary conditions); TED (Turtle Excluder Device) Compliance has been completed, inclusion of fish varieties in China Import list, Tuna Long Liners offering is of quality standards and Phyto-Sanitary Protocols compliance being done.

With the objective: Inc Fisheries exports up to $ 2 Bn, Korangi Fish Harbour revitalization is in progress, at the cost of Rs 1.2 Bn (through a grant by Japan). Moreover, the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is being established to monitor vessels, curb illegal fishing, and secure EEZ, with a project cost of Rs1.2 Bn. VMS is planned for 7,000 boats in 1^st Phase. Marine resources in territorial waters are over-exploited, hence Deep-Sea Fishing Licenses are being issued for promotion of Deep-Sea Fishing by easing Licensing TORs.

Contact GCLI – Green Corporate Livestock Initiative

2nd Floor, FFC Tower, Jinnah Boulevard, Sector B, DHA Phase-2,
Islamabad
Tel. 051-8480006
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Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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