Meat Sector Development Strategy under GRASP Project- Meat Industry in Pakistan 

The meat industry in Pakistan is primarily based in Sindh along with other provides for its livestock input. Sindh, with its vast livestock population, plays a pivotal role in meat production in Pakistan. As the second-largest province for bovine and goat populations, it holds immense potential for expanding meat production and exports. However, the Meat Production sector in Sindh faces challenges that require a well-rounded development strategy. The meat Sector Development Strategy for Sindh has driven input from key stakeholders, including the Sindh Livestock Department, academia, meat exporters, butchers, and international collaborators. EU-funded GRASP Project has collaborated to formulate this strategy for meat production in Sindh along with other Livestock Development strategies.

Current Landscape of Livestock and Meat Production in Sindh

Sindh boasts 25.7 million bovine animals, making up 27% of Pakistan’s herd, alongside a significant concentration of small ruminants, especially goats (25% of the national population). While Shikarpur, Khairpur, and Jacobabad have the highest bovine densities, Tharparkar leads in small ruminants. However, traditional, subsistence-level farming dominates the sector, with over 90% of households owning fewer than ten animals.

Livestock Development Strategies – Dairy – Meat – Leather – FMD Control 

Slaughter and Export Statistics (2020-21):

• • 327,779 bovine animals (64% cattle) slaughtered.
  • 866,971 small ruminants, predominantly goats (64%), processed for meat.
  • Sindh’s meat exports, worth Rs 33,438 million ($150 million) in 2018-19, primarily consist of fresh or chilled carcasses.

Despite the achievements, the sector struggles with inconsistent supply, low carcass yields, and limited value addition.

اکنامک سروے، لائیوسٹاک اعدادوشمار پر تفصیلی رپورٹ

Challenges in the Meat Sector

Several bottlenecks hinder Sindh’s meat industry:

• High mortality in calves and lack of beef and mutton breeding farms.
• Illegal animal smuggling and inconsistent quality of livestock.
• Limited disease-free zones, causing outbreaks and productivity losses.
• Higher production costs and unskilled labor.
• Price controls in retail markets discourage investment in value-added products.

Meat Sector Development Strategy – Visionary Approach 

The Meat Sector Development Strategy reflects the collective input of industry experts, farmers, academia, and government bodies. By addressing systemic challenges and capitalizing on strengths, Sindh can position itself as a leader in meat production and export and the overall Meat Industry in Pakistan.

Through innovation, capacity building, and sustained investment, the province has the potential to transform its meat industry into a major contributor to national prosperity and rural development. Sindh’s livestock sector stands at a crossroads, with the opportunity to revolutionize meat industry in Pakistan and deliver economic and social gains for years to come.

History of Meat and its Nutritional Value 

Meat Sector Development Strategy – Recommendations

Sindh’s meat sector holds immense potential for growth and transformation. However, to unlock this potential, it is crucial to address several key challenges, ranging from improving livestock management to enhancing infrastructure and market access. Below are the key recommendations for boosting the meat industry in Sindh:

Reducing Male Calf Mortality

Male calf mortality is a significant issue, especially in rural Sindh hindering the sector of Meat Production in Sindh. Implementing an outreach program to collect male baby calves within the first three months of birth from farmers, with a financial compensation mechanism, would help reduce losses. These calves can be raised in private facilities focused on fattening, ensuring a healthier livestock population, and an increase in the available meat supply.

لائیوسٹاک کارڈ رجسٹریشن شروع، درخواست دینے کا طریقہ کار، قرضے کی مدت اور دیگر تفصیلات

Community-Level Rearing and Dealing Centers

A cost-benefit analysis should guide the establishment of community-level male calf-rearing and dealing centers. These centers would offer farmers access to support services such as feed, water, and supervisory personnel, alongside access to processors and exporters. This would streamline the supply chain and increase the off-taking of healthy, well-raised calves.

Milk Replacer Program

To prevent dairy farmers from culling male calves, a dedicated milk replacer program is necessary. This initiative would help farmers manage male calves more effectively by providing them with nutritional support, improving their chances of survival and growth, and ensuring that they become valuable meat sources in the future.

Training Programs for Farmers

Conducting modular training programs for rural farmers—particularly for women smallholder micro-entrepreneurs—would equip them with better livestock husbandry practices, breeding techniques, and backgrounding and fattening management skills. Using informative audiovisual material in local languages like Urdu and Sindhi would enhance farmers’ understanding and improve their farming practices.

Establishing an Academic Forum

Creating an academic forum comprising representatives from the livestock industry, academia, and the public sector will foster a feedback loop for improving the sector. Three subcommittees focusing on meat, dairy, and leather will ensure that the development efforts are well-coordinated and that the sector’s needs are met with informed insights.

Meat Development and Infrastructure

For Sindh to compete in the meat market, it must develop modern, efficient infrastructure:

• Feedlot Development: Publishing PPP tenders for the development of feedlots, including backgrounding for fattening, will ensure that the region has the capacity to manage and feed large numbers of livestock.
• Slaughterhouse Upgrades: A thorough assessment of existing slaughterhouses will guide the upgrade and modernization of these facilities. New slaughterhouses should also be established in major cities to meet growing demand.
• Livestock Auction Market Upgrades: Upgrading livestock auction markets (mandis) is critical to ensure better animal welfare and reduce stress. Proper waste management, water, fodder, and quarantine measures should be implemented to ensure high-quality meat production.

E-Commerce Portal for Meat Industry

The creation of an e-commerce portal for the meat sector can revolutionize how information on beef and mutton supply, demand, prices, and regulations is shared. This platform could also help stakeholders stay informed about emerging technologies and innovations in production, processing, and logistics.

زندہ جانوروں کی ایکسپورٹ سے پابندی ہٹانے کا عندیہ، میٹ ایکسپورٹرز کا پابندی برقرار رکھنے کا مطالبہ

Market Linkages and Coordination Council

Finally, a coordination council should be formed to strengthen market links between corporate meat processors, exporters, and individual farmers or farmer groups. This body would help create a robust, organized supply chain and ensure that both farmers and processors benefit from the growing demand for meat products.

Impact on Meat Industry in Pakistan

By implementing these recommendations of the Meat Sector Development Strategy, Sindh can significantly enhance its meat sector, making it more sustainable, profitable, and globally competitive. With improved practices, better infrastructure, and stronger market linkages, the region’s livestock industry will be better equipped to meet the growing demands of both domestic and international markets. Overall it will strengthen the meat industry in Pakistan.

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Download Strategy for Meat Production in Sindh

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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