Agriculture revolution - II
RAIS AHMAD KHAN
ARTICLE (January 17 2008): D) LIVESTOCK & DAIRY FARMING: Pakistan faces shortage of meat, although it ranks high in production (though not availability) of milk. This anomaly, coupled with the sickly and unhygienic condition of cattle, call for drastic measures to rectify the situation. Probable causes and problems can be enumerated as under.

a) Topography and climate, coupled with accessibility ease or otherwise, determine the health and numbers of cattle in any particular area. Relatively more conducive environments are better placed to rear healthy livestock.

b) Availability of fodder and animal feed consistency throughout the year varies, with consequential changes in cattle health and/or mortality.

c) Improper breeding or injudicious culling can hurt an otherwise healthy herd.

d) Availability of veterinary help is important, but not always possible every where equally.

e) Scientific methods of raising live stock, and co-operative efforts to collect milk at designated centres for processing may be an exception, but are not the norm.

f) Breeding programmes are not geared to peak demand periods.

g) Cattle population is not evenly distributed throughout the country.

It is suggested that collective farms be established in each locality under proper management, milk be collected and processed at key centres under hygienic conditions, with expert handling, packing and distribution. Storage and marketing of products must be under refrigerated premises or vehicles. Sales outlets must also be equipped with fridges under clean conditions of handling.

Uniformity of prices to consumers of dairy products all over the country would be a big plus in stabilising the margins and returns to the producers.

SHEEP BREEDING: Sheep breeding is confined to some isolated areas as the consumers in Pakistan generally prefer goat meat. Mutton (sheep variety) is not commonly favoured, and cheese consumption is very rare, unlike other countries in the Middle East.

However, great opportunities exist for entrepreneurs to export live sheep or meat to neighbouring countries. So sheep breeding should be encouraged to earn foreign exchange.

In this connection, attention should be paid to: fast breeding techniques (3 lambings over a 2-year period, instead of the usual 2 only) and the live births timned to rear 25 kg lambs (6 months to a year old) becoming ready for shipment to Saudi Arabia (live) about six weeks prior to Hajj in large numbers, or about 3 weeks before Eidul Azha for domestic markets (for ritual slaughter or Qurbani by individuals).

The technology for such breeding and programming is available, and should be utilised for maximum earnings. Some other considerations also favour sheep breeding over the goats:

i) Sheep fattens and produces more meat than goats on lesser amount of feed or fodder. Goats tend to destroy grazing fields by devouring the grass up to the roots, while sheep only eat the leaves, letting the grass grow again.

ii) Sheep droppings are a natural fertiliser very much in demand, and packed after drying, these can fetch prices annually equalling the total investment for the venture, independent of the sale of products. A very valuable foreign exchange earner indeed!

ABBATOIRS It will not be out of place to mention the extremely vital necessity to establish well-equipped and sanitary abattoirs in all localities, run on proper scientific lines under constant supervision of health authorities. This goes for all kinds of meat and poultry products or fisheries. This would facilitate packing, freezing and storage of meat products for domestic marketing as well as exports, and prove a boon on meatless days of the week.

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