ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan-China partnership will produce 2,000 high-quality sheep and goat embryos in its first phase, in a move aimed at improving livestock productivity and modernising breeding practices in Pakistan.

The agreement between Beijing Asia and VitaGene Farms comes as Pakistan’s livestock sector remains central to rural incomes, agriculture and food supply. Experts say the use of embryo transfer technology could help farmers access genetically stronger animals with better meat, milk and disease-resistance potential.

Under the partnership, Beijing Asia will provide embryo transfer expertise, while VitaGene Farms will support the project through local infrastructure and operations. The embryos will be produced through in vivo collection techniques and transferred into local recipient animals for commercial use in Pakistan.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, livestock supports more than eight million rural households and contributes between 30 and 40 percent of their incomes. The sector accounts for 63.6 percent of agriculture’s value addition and nearly 14.97 percent of GDP.

Pakistan also has a large small-ruminant population. The 7th Agricultural Census 2024 recorded 95.8 million goats and 44.5 million sheep out of a total livestock population of 251.3 million animals.

Despite the large animal base, experts say productivity growth in sheep and goats has remained slow. Pakistan’s total meat production reached 5.967 million tonnes in FY2025, while mutton output stood at 835,000 tonnes.

Dr Nabeel Ijaz, Assistant Professor of Theriogenology at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, told Wealth Pakistan that embryo transfer technology could help improve local breeds faster than conventional breeding methods.

He said the technology may support better growth rates, higher meat production, improved milk yields and stronger disease resistance, while also creating opportunities in veterinary biotechnology and commercial breeding services.

Amna Haider, Director IVF Labs at VitaGene Farms, said embryos from elite breeds such as Boer, Saanen and Dorper could help improve Pakistan’s sheep and goat breeding industry. She said the technology could also support food security, livestock exports and farmer incomes over the long term.

Industry observers say the partnership could strengthen Pakistan’s livestock sector if supported by investment, technical training and consistent policy measures.

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