Livestock sector of Pakistan is one of
the largest contributors in Agriculture and the National Gross Domestic Product
(GDP). During 2014-15, the total contribution of livestock in agriculture and
the national GDP stood at 56.3% and 11.8% respectively. Meat and Milk remain
the major products of the livestock sector. The total population of cattle and
buffaloes in Pakistan stood at 41.2 and 35.6 million heads, respectively. During
2014-15, the gross milk production from cattle and buffaloes stood at 18,706
and 32,180 million Tonnes respectively. [1]
Despite, a low average milk yield of animals, Pakistan is the third largest
milk producer in the world. However, a large portion of this milk remains
unprocessed.[2]
Some of the leading market players in the dairy industry of Pakistan do not
agree with the statistics released by the Economic Survey of Pakistan. The
Chief Executive Officer of Engro Foods, Mr. Sarfaraz Rehman, one of largest
producers of processed milk in Pakistan, is of the view that the country faces
a severe shortage of milk and there is never enough milk to meet our demand. He
further stated that “there is certainly a huge potential in the dairy segment
but the country needs to graduate from buffalo milk, which is about 70% of the
total milk produced in the country, to cow milk.[3]
As buffaloes don’t produce as much milk
as cows, especially imported breeds, a number of small scale dairy farmers
resort to the use of harmful injections to enhance milk production in their
animals. These injections are Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST) and
Oxytocin. Although banned by the authorities, these injections are still being
used, causing harmful affects both in the animals and humans alike.[4]
The local breeds of cattle such as
Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Cholistani are famous for their milk production.
Similarly, Nili Ravi, Kundi and Azakheli are some of the famous breeds of
buffalo. Due to a lack of research and breed improvement, the average milk
production of these breeds remains low as compared to the breeds from the
developed world, including Holstein Freisian, Jersey and their cross breeds.
Sahiwal, which is the most famous breed of Zebu cattle that was developed in
present day Pakistan produces between 1500 to 2200 liters of milk per lactation
with 4.5% butter fat i.e. in 235 days of lactation. Similarly, the most famous
breed of buffalo, Nili Ravi, produces 1800 to 2500 liters of milk with 6.5%
butter fat, in one lactation i.e. 322 days. When compared with the breeds of
cattle from the developed world, this milk yield is considered very low. Holstein
Freisian, the top most milk producing breed in the world produces 7200 to 9000
liters of milk with 3.5% butter fat in one lactation i.e. 305 days. Similarly,
Jersey produces 3600 to 6800 liters of milk in one lactation with 4-5% butter
fat.[5]
A number of large corporate dairy
players in Pakistan are successfully running environmentally controlled dairy
farms with imported animals. However, the environmental conditions in Pakistan
are considered severe as far as the successful rearing of imported animals is
concerned. In order to overcome the problem of acclimatization, cross bred
animals are kept by small scale dairy farmers in Pakistan. By doing so, they
combine the genetics of imported animals with the local ones and overcome the
problem of low milk production and acclimatization. However, crossbred animals
don’t offer a sustainable solution. A sustainable solution lies in the
development of a breed that not only produces large quantities of milk and can
easily endure the severity of Pakistan’s weather.[6]
Due to the adoption of Sahiwal breed to
harsh climates and its natural resistance to ticks and other diseases, some
specimens were imported in Australia during 1960’s and a breed was developed,
which was named Australian Freisian Sahiwal, which is an efficient milk
producer in tropical environments.[7]
JK Dairies in Pakistan has employed these animals due to their suitability to
the local environment.[8]
In Pakistan, The Research Center for
Conversation of Sahiwal Cattle (RCCSC), Jhang has been making an effort to
further improve the genetic potential of Sahiwal breed by selection and
breeding of high yielding specimens. In order to encourage local farmers of
Sahiwal breed, the center has not only introduced incentives but has
established clubs and private nucleus farms. Due to the efforts of farmers and
the center, some of the animals have produced as much as 7100 liters of milk in
one lactation. A Red Gold Club has been established by the combined efforts of
farmers and RCCSC. A Sahiwal cow having platinum membership produced 39.040
liters of milk in one day during 2013-14. Similarly, other high yielding
specimens of the breed have been given golden and silver memberships.[9]
Breed selection remains one of the most
important functions of a dairy farm in addition to nutrition, healthcare and
breeding. In order to run a successful dairy business in Pakistan, it is
important to select the most suitable dairy breed(s) which are able to
withstand the harsh climate of the country and are able to produce high yields
of milk.
[1]
Agriculture: Chapter 2: The Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2014-15. P. 38.
Accessed online from: http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_15/02_Agricultre.pdf.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
[2]
Haq, Shahram. Improvement needed in the milk business: The Express Tribune. 6th
September, 2015. Accessed online from: http://tribune.com.pk/story/951369/improvement-needed-in-the-milk-business/.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
[3]
Moneymaker: Milk could become country’s white gold: The Express Tribune. 28th
April, 2014. Accessed online from: http://tribune.com.pk/story/701021/moneymaker-milk-could-become-the-countrys-white-gold/.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
[4]
Ilyas, Faiza. Banned hormone still in use in dairy business despite health
hazards: Dawn. 30th September, 2015. Accessed online from: http://www.dawn.com/news/1209783.
Date of access: 16th December, 20115.
[5]
Breeds: contents: Pakistan Dairy Info. Accessed online from: http://www.pakdairyinfo.com/. Date of
access: 16th December, 2015.
[6]
Ibid.
[7]
Australian Freisian Sahiwal: Breeds of livestock. Department of Animal
Sciences, Oklahoma State University. Accessed online from: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/australianfriesiansahiwal.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
[8]
Shahram Haq, Farooq Tirmizi. Milk Production: In Pakistan’s milk production, JK
dairies is a front runner. 26th May, 2012. Accessed online from: http://tribune.com.pk/story/384253/milk-production-in-pakistans-milk-production-jk-dairies-is-a-front-runner/.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
[9]
Red Gold Club: Research Center for Conservation of Sahiwal Cattle. Accessed
online from: http://www.rccsc.com.pk/Red-Gold-Club..html.
Date of access: 16th December, 2015.
