NWFP Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Haji Hidayatullah Khan was told Saturday that the NWFP has surpassed all other provinces of the country in artificial insemination as a result of which the milk production has increased. He was informed about the dairy development in a briefing given to him during a visit to the Directorate of Livestock and Dairy Development by Muqarab Ali Khan, Director Livestock NWFP. Livestock Officers of 24 districts were also present on this occasion. The Minister was told that the NWFP has the potential to increase artificial insemination for further improving the milk production. He told that only in Nowshera District 7000 liters of milk per day is produced. This has not only increased the income of small farmers in the province but also the economy of the province. He added that the government has signed MoU with a private investor to establish the first ever milk pasteurisation plant of the province in District Nowshera which would start functioning by the end of June 2008. The consumers would get hygienically clean milk on affordable prices, he informed. The Minister visited the strengthening of Livestock Services Project (EU/GoP funded) and was apprised by Derek J Massey, European Co-Manager about the activities of the project in the province. The Minister was also briefed about the working of mobile veterinary clinics. Speaking on the occasion Hidayatullah Khan appreciated the working of Livestock Department. He called upon the officers of the department to accelerate their efforts for bringing positive changes in the lives of rural poor. He said that the provincial government strategy is to make the provincial economy set on the right track to eradicate poverty and provide employment to the masses for which the role of the Livestock Department is of prime importance. Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2008