Rs495m set aside for improving reproductive efficiency of cattle
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) will spend Rs.495 million for the improvement of reproductive efficiency of cattle in small holder's production system.
According to the ministry sources the overall objective of the project is to increase productivity of livestock in small holder's production system which will serve as a model for up-scaling improvement in livestock productivity. The ministry official said that the project aims at to improve the reproductive efficiency of cattle and buffaloes in the project areas and reducing inter calving in these animals.
He said that this has major effect on the economics of dairy production as shorter inter-calving interval results in less dry period and more milk as well as more calves per animal. The official said that in Pakistan livestock is an important sub-sector of agriculture as it contributes 49.5 per cent of agriculture value added and 11.2 per cent of the total GDP.
He said that Pakistan is endowed with diversified domesticated farm animal genetic resources such as buffalo, cattle, sheep, camel and poultry and their numbers are 26.3, 24.2, 24.9, 56.7, 0.8 and 366 million respectively. He said that in this regard the ministry will establish a semen production unit at Okara military dairy farm premises where semen buffalo and exotic cattle will be frozen and supplied which will help in increase of these animal productions.
At present military has 25 organized dairy farms in the country and have more than 16000 cattle and 6000 buffalo at these farms which are genetically superior to those commonly found in the private sector. He said that semen from male animals could be used for crossbreeding of non-descript animals for increased milk production in the country.
He said that the project has the objective to provide sufficient quantity of semen from good exotic cattle at low price to up gradate non-descript local cattle. He said that field trial with farmer's animals regarding embryo transfer for production of purebred elite animals will establish technology and confidence for future development plans.
He said that under the project the development of embryo transfer technology for Sahiwal cattle and buffalo would also be included which will open new vista for improving genetic potential in these important dairy breeds of tropics. He said that in this regard embryo transfer facility available at Okara Military farm will be strengthened and up graded to embryo technology centre.
He said that one semen production and processing centre will be developed at the military dairy fram, Renala District Okara. He added that at this centre facility for 100 adult bulls will be erected. He said that facilities for semen deep freezing will be available at this facility which storage will also be provided.
He said that 12 semen production facilities will also be established in all the four provinces and it will be strengthened in terms of equipment, capacity building and partial support for operational expenditure. He said that up to four semen production unites would also be established in the private sector will be supported in terms for capacity building and 50 per cent cost sharing for equipments.
He said that selection of the units will be based upon open competition, quality of bull selection, experience in running semen production unit, number of professional employed etc.