Egg production, which is an important source of protein has already surpassed its target by 6.5 per cent in last fiscal year 2011-12, according to Pakistan Observer.

The official said Pakistan had achieved about 834 thousand tons poultry pro-duction against the target of 758 thousand tones in financial year 2011-12 and it was expected that the sector would also reach the next target of 937 thousand tones, which set for current fiscal year 2012-13.

In the local market, the increased poultry production had released the pressure on the demand for beef and mutton. For the past many years, the poultry meat, being cheaper as compared to beef and mutton, has delivered great nutritional support to consumers.

According to Statistic Division the poultry contribution in agriculture and live-stock is 6.4 per cent and 11.5 per cent respectively and poultry meat contributes 25.8 per cent of the total meat production in the country.

The poultry sector is also generating direct and indirect employment opportunities for about 1.5 million people in the country.