KARACHI: The Sindh livestock department has launched a comprehensive strategy for combating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in animals and for promotion of sectoral development of the leather industry, and dairy and meat production with the support of the European Union (EU). Speaking at the event as chief guest, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah highlighted the collaborative efforts under the Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, which is working on 19 different policies in Sindh in partnership with the government, eight of which pertain to the livestock department. He emphasised plans to introduce skill development courses related to livestock farming for students at the school level through non-formal education, which could lead to rural development and economic stability. He noted that the region’s livestock breeds had been genetically developed to significantly increase milk and meat production. However, he stressed the need to preserve high-quality breeds as large-scale farm owners were depleting them while small farmers were striving for survival. Shah stated that supporting small farmers through training and modernising traditional practices was essential. Addressing the ceremony, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani called the project the beginning of a revolutionary journey that would advance the livestock sector, improve employment opportunities and contribute to national prosperity. He thanked the European Union for supporting the department in formulating those strategies and highlighted the department’s collaborative efforts with the EU to enhance market access and empower farmers. He acknowledged the challenges of low productivity, disease prevalence and limited market access but expressed confidence that the new strategies would address those issues. Mr Malkani added that cooperation, innovation, inclusivity and accountability with all stakeholders would pave the way for a brighter future. Dr Kazim Jatoi, livestock secretary, stated that the department now produced nearly all vaccines in its animal husbandry institute and was in advanced discussions with institutions in Turkey and Russia to produce FMD vaccines locally. Mario Ronconi of the European Commission stated that now when the strategies had been finalised, the main challenging task was their effective implementation. Robert Skidmore, chief of Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness at International Trade Centre, added that their collaboration with the governments of Sindh and Balochistan aimed at enhancing the capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on improving and transforming their value-chain mechanism. Dr Nazir Kalhoro, Hizbullah Bhutto and other relevant stakeholders also attended the event.