PESHAWAR (khyber Mail): The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has inaugurated a newly equipped Meat Testing Lab in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The lab is part of the Project for Agri-Food and Agro-industry Development Assistance (PAFAID), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Dr. Amber Ali Khan, Secretary of the Livestock, Fisheries & Cooperative Department, KP, praised UNIDO and JICA’s support in his inaugural address. He emphasized that the advanced technology will boost the lab’s testing capacity, ensuring food safety to international standards. Dr. Amber acknowledged UNIDO’s efforts in enhancing the meat and livestock sector, marking a significant step towards a safer and more sustainable future for KP. He also pledged to collaborate closely with all relevant stakeholders, underlining the importance of partnerships in achieving shared goals.
Dr. Asal Khan, Director General of L&DD (Ext) KP, commended UNIDO’s contributions in strengthening the Meat Testing Lab and promoting food safety compliance in the province from meat production to consumption. He also praised UNIDO’s earlier initiative to establish a state-of-the-art meat processing training facility at the Animal Husbandry Inservice Training Institute (AHITI).
Ms. Nadia Aftab, UNIDO Country Representative, expressed gratitude for the department’s commitment and support, which has been crucial in successfully implementing the project. She also appreciated JICA and the Government of Japan’s generous support, without which these achievements would not have been possible. Ms. Nadia highlighted the common goal of improving food safety and public health and pledged to continue UNIDO’s support to the Government of KP towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.
PAFAID is a four-year JICA-funded project being implemented by UNIDO in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan. It aims to improve pilot applications of compliance capacities and value-addition practices in the cattle meat value chain in KP province and the apple value chain in Balochistan province.