Agriculture sector is a vital component of Pakistan’s economy. It has two sectors crop sector and livestock sector. Livestock sector is the backbone of agriculture industry in Pakistan.
About 8 million families are involved in livestock raising and it derives more than 35% income from livestock activities. It is central to the livelihood of rural poor in Pakistan.
Though livestock sector has improved much in the past few years but it can still be improved so that it can engage more people and thus it may serve for the betterment of our country.
Following certain steps can be taken for betterment of livestock sector in Pakistan:
Improvement of genetic makeup:
The genetic makeup of animal should be of quality. This can be achieved by using animals of high genetic potential as breeders for getting next progeny. The genetic makeup of animal can be improved by selective breeding practices.
If we breed the high producing dairy animals with quality genetic makeup the progeny will be of improved genetic makeup and will be high producing. Many developed countries like New Zealand have adopted this practice and are now one of the top milk producing countries of the world.
Nutrition:
Maximum genetic potential can be exploited through better nutrition. Of existing animals. One of the factors that is mainly associated with low production of animals is poor nutrition. If animals is under fed and is nutritionally deficient it will not produce to its maximum even if it is of high genetic potential.
So, if we are able to overcome this factor of poor nutrition, we can increase the production of our animals and thus result in betterment of livestock sector. Better nutrition need high quality fodders, concentrates and feeds. These must be offered to the animal.
Health care:
In our country farmers don’t pay attention to health of animal i.e. they don’t bother about minor health problem and thus the situation becomes worse. Even then some farmers try themselves to cure the ailment. This causes loss to the farmer. If we pay attention to health care of animal we can improve livestock productivity.
Improved marketing practices:
The marketing systems are very poor in our country and mostly depend upon the working of middle man which gets maximum benefit as compared to producer and consumer. Resultantly in our country the prices of products are very less.
Even in the international market we are not getting optimum product returns. By adopting different practices and considering above mentioned facts we can improve our products and thus the products will get optimum prices in the market and will improve livestock.
Value addition:
Improvement in livestock can be achieved by adopting certain value addition practices i.e. if we sale pasteurized milk or cheese instead of selling raw milk. We will get additional price which will provide us benefit. It will also siphon off the products during lean demand period.
Management:
Livestock sector can be improved by adopting better managemental practices. This may include mechanization which result in low labor cost and is better in many aspects than traditional labor management.
Computerized records provide can be kept at a farm which provides managemental ease. This type of records keeping will also help to improve livestock in Pakistan.
Training of farmer:
In our country mostly illiterate people are involved in livestock farming. Thus there is a need to train our farmers. If our farmer is trained the farmer will adopt better practices related to breeding, nutrition, marketing and management and will take steps that will lead to livestock improvement.
We can train our farmer by educating our farmer, organizing different educational campaigns, organizing training or workshops on advance techniques in livestock. This will lead to the prosperity of livestock sector.
If we consider the above mentioned points and take steps for rectification. Livestock sector can flourish tremendously which will have a positive impact on our national economy.