QUETTA, Oct 16 (APP): Governor of Balochistan, Jaffar Khan Mandokhail on Friday said that Balochistan is geographically an ideal region for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, agriculture and livestock rearing serve as the primary economic livelihoods for the local population.
He said that Balochistan has the potential to fulfill the food requirements of the entire country. It is essential to develop the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors along modern scientific lines, while ensuring that local farmers, livestock owners, and fishermen have access to modern technology, resources, and basic infrastructure.
He made these remarks while inaugurating the first-ever ‘Balochistan Food Exhibition,’ organized under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations to mark World Food Day.
Present on the occasion were Walid Mehdi, Head of the FAO Sub-Office, Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS University, Dr. Shahanshah Khan, Principal of the Agricultural College, as well as various agricultural experts and a large number of young people.
The Governor said that fruits and food products from Pakistan particularly those from Balochistan are highly valued internationally for their quality, taste, and natural attributes, therefore, it is imperative to introduce these products to international markets to strengthen the local economy and create new employment opportunities.
Addressing the participants at the World Food Day event, the Governor of Balochistan, Jaffer Khan Mandokhail, stated it is an honor for me to be among you today for two significant occasions, the inauguration of the first Balochistan Food Exhibition and the commemoration of World Food Day.
He said that Balochistan is fundamentally a region defined by livestock and pastoralism, it possesses vast grazing lands and holds immense potential for livestock production and the export of food products.
He added that our livestock sector serves as one of the strongest pillars of the rural economy, the Zhob Division, with its expansive monsoon pastures and valuable livestock resources, stands as a prominent example of this potential within our province.
The Governor mentioned that the livestock from this division alone possesses the capacity to meet the requirements of approximately 2.5 million pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, we must transform traditional livestock-rearing practices into a modern, productive, and export-oriented industry.
Jaffar Khan stated that the extensive coastline of Gwadar and Makran offers immense opportunities for sustainable fisheries, seafood processing, aquaculture, and marine-related industries, the people of our coastal regions possess valuable experience and expertise in this sector.
He noted that agriculture is also a vital sector of Balochistan’s economy, our province is renowned for a variety of high-quality fruits, including olives, apples, grapes, cherries, pomegranates, and dates.
Olives from Loralai are of an internationally recognized high standard, these products hold significant potential to secure a prominent position in both domestic and international markets. By developing cold storage, modern packaging, food processing, and transportation infrastructure, we can substantially reduce post-harvest losses and increase the income of farmers, he maintained.
The Governor remarked that World Food Day serves as a reminder that millions of people across the globe continue to face challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, and a lack of access to a balanced diet.
He said that in this context, the inaugural Food Exhibition is not merely a showcase of agricultural produce; rather, it serves as an effective platform that brings together farmers, researchers, investors, policymakers, and consumers.
This exhibition is destined to evolve into a permanent platform, for this, the organizers including the FAO and all the participants deserve to be commended, he said.
He expressed confidence that today’s event and exhibition would mark the beginning of a new era of fresh investment and practical initiatives for our province and for Pakistan.
In the end, the Governor of Balochistan inspected the stalls set up at the first Food Exhibition 2026.