CATTLE markets across the country are being revamped on modern lines to enable customers and merchants to trade in a safe, secure and healthy environment. In some cases, companies are being set up to run these markets on the basis of public-private partnership.

Hitherto, these markets have been functioning in highly pathetic conditions, deterring many traders from visiting these places for business transactions. Besides, in the absence of security personnel, the place was never free of crimes such as snatching of animals or cash, kidnapping of buyers and attacks on sellers.

In the past, one saw more emphasis on raising of livestock but little stress on improving the marketing environment. There was a need for an efficient marketing system that could ensure reasonable returns to the breeders/producers and also protect consumers.

Recent surveys have shown that most cattle markets across the country are devoid of any infrastructure or facility like shade, shelter, sanitation, drinking water. In May, Punjab Livestock Breeding Act 2014 was notified to regulate the livestock breeding services, improve genetic potential of breeds and build cattle markets on modern lines. It has yet to come into effect.

The sellers will be provided all sorts of facilities in the upgraded cattle market while the number of staff and officers would be kept at the minimum required level. A comprehensive strategy is being devised to bring about reforms in the system

However, Punjab is moving ahead to restructure the cattle markets and has decided to establish at least 13 model markets in the province. The existing markets of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana sahib and Kasur districts are being re-organised and upgraded under the umbrella of a model private-public enterprise called Cattle Market Management Company (CMMC). The Faisalabad Cattle Market Management Company is being set up by local administration with additional commissioner as its managing director. Applications for jobs of senior executives have been advertised.

Commissioner of Lahore Rashid Mahmood Langrial, who is the CMMC head, says that the establishment of the company would lead to elimination of commission mafia and abolition of outdated, exploitative system prevailing in the cattle market system. The company would work for construction of new markets in the four districts on scientific lines and introduce a simple and effective method of buying and selling. The sellers will be provided all sorts of facilities while the number of staff and officers would be kept at the minimum required level. A comprehensive strategy is being devised to bring about reforms in the system.

On September 6, commissioner of Karachi inaugurated what his administration claimed was Asia’s biggest cattle market located on the Super Highway near Sohrab Goth as it covers 650 acres of land. But this market, which is a regular feature every year, has been restructured to enable the citizens to purchase sacrificial animals on the eve of Eidul Azha with a strong security arrangement. In the recent past, the Sohrab Goth market had been more noted for dirty conditions, high prices and lawlessness, discouraging buyers from visiting it.

But this time, officials claim, arrangements have been made for smooth running of the market with necessary facilities for merchants, customers and visitors.

The scattered litter and animal waste will be cleared on daily basis and measures would be taken to ensure sanitary conditions and cleanliness. Besides, sacrificial animals coming to the Karachi cattle market will be vaccinated and also exempted this time from tax till Eid ul Azha.

Early this year, the Punjab government approved a ‘model cattle market’ for Gujrat, the district administration has selected a site and started its work on the project. No tax or municipality fee will be charged from those visiting the market.

Three formal cattle markets are already functioning in the district. These are located at Saroki, Jalalpur Jattan and Sara-i-Alamgir. Tehsil municipal administrations hold a cattle market for annual auction. These had been a major source of income for them. The Saroki cattle market had been auctioned for Rs120m last year.

In Punjab, cattle markets are traditionally held in 14 towns on fixed days or dates by the local administration. These towns include Arifwala, Sheikhupura, Pasrur, Chiniot, Khushab and Bhalwal. Similar markets are also arranged in eight towns of Sindh. These include Thatta, Mirpur Sakro, Talhar and Golarchi where different kinds of buffaloes, goats, sheep, etc., are auctioned or traded.

Generally, the cattle markets everywhere are poorly equipped, loosely controlled and operated in an old-fashioned way. The cattle are purchased and sold in traditional weekly rural markets. Usually, animals are bought by middlemen, who only estimate the weight of animals from their appearance. They resell the animals in city-based cattle markets to butchers.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, Sep 15th, 2014