Islamabad, February 4, 2026:
The National Dairy Conference on Attracting Investment to Enhance Exports, organized by the Planning Commission of Pakistan under the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, is currently underway at the Main Auditorium, P-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad. The conference aims to develop a clear policy roadmap for transforming Pakistan’s dairy sector into a competitive, investment-friendly, and export-oriented industry.
Pakistan, the world’s fourth-largest milk producer contributing nearly seven percent of global milk output, continues to face serious productivity and value-chain challenges. Despite having a large livestock herd, milk yields from local breeds remain significantly lower than international benchmarks. Experts at the conference highlighted that weak farm productivity, high post-harvest losses, limited processing capacity, and insufficient public and private investment have constrained the sector’s growth and export potential.
Opening sessions emphasized the urgent need to attract local and foreign investment in high-potential areas of the dairy sector. The conference set ambitious targets, including raising average farm productivity to 4,000 liters per animal by 2035, while simultaneously reducing production costs through improved genetics, better farm management, and technology adoption. Strengthening the milk value chain to reduce supply-chain losses from 15 percent to 1 percent was also identified as a key priority.
Participants further stressed the importance of diversifying processed and value-added dairy products, improving compliance with food safety and quality standards, and expanding processing infrastructure to meet international market requirements. The conference aims to support national export targets of USD 500 million in dairy exports by 2029 and USD 2 billion by 2035, in line with the URAAN Pakistan framework.
Session-I of the conference is being chaired by the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, and facilitated by Dr. Mubarik Ali, Member (Agriculture and Food Security), Planning Commission. Technical presentations are being delivered by leading experts, including Dr. Zafar Ullah Khan on investment potential, Mr. Shaker Umar Gujjar on farmer-level challenges, and Brigadier Ahtisham on the role of bovine sexed semen in enhancing dairy productivity. A strategic outlook on commercial growth and export opportunities is being shared by representatives of Nestlé Pakistan and the Pakistan Dairy Association.
The second session will focus on stakeholder consultations, allowing industry representatives, farmers, processors, policymakers, and investors to provide input on regulatory reforms, development initiatives, and investment facilitation measures. The conference is expected to conclude with policy-oriented recommendations to strengthen Pakistan’s dairy sector and position it as a significant player in the global dairy trade.
— The Veterinary News & Views