Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region recently unveiled plans to modernize and expand the local livestock industry.

The local government expects livestock production will account for 45 percent of agricultural output by the end of 2015.

Wang Zhengwei, Chairman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, hopes the sector will play an important role in the rural economic growth and become an enduring source of income for farmers.

By the end of 2010, the region had produced 368,000 tons of meat, 1.22 million tons of milk and 99,000 tons of eggs, up 42.2 percent, 110.9 percent and 26.4 percent respectively from 2005. Livestock industry output reached 8.61 billion yuan (US$1.35 billion), accounting for 38 percent of agricultural production.