THE country’s meat exports surged 16 per cent, while fish exports rose a modest 3pc, according to an estimate made public last October. Despite the optimism generated by the increment, there is still a vast potential for meat production that needs to be explored, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas of the country.

Australia has successfully leveraged its arid and semi-arid areas for meat and wool production, and that, too, of fine quality. By exporting its produce to the world, it is replenishing its foreign reserves. We can do that as well.

The areas optimum for meat produc-tion include the plains of Sindh, such as Badin, Mithi, Umarkot, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar, along with the Cholistan desert of Punjab. Sindh is blessed with a large number of heavy-sized breeds of cattle, Tharparkar and Kankrej, and an abundance of quality breeds of goat and sheep.

Annually, 2.9 million male calves and 3.5 million male kids and lambs are readily available for rearing up to maturity, fattening and mechanical slaughtering, for the production of quality meat. Some 50pc of this produce can be exported to the regional countries.

Cholistan cattle have shown an accep- table growth rate. There, a large number of good breeding goats and sheep are also reared. On an annual basis, around three million male calves and four million male kids and lambs are reared up to maturity, fattened and mechanically slaughtered for meat production. Again, at least 50pc of this produce has the potential to be exported.

The reason why the arid and semi-arid areas stand out for meat production is that they enable free grazing of quality fodder, which has a high percentage of protein, minerals and vitamins that are required for growth, health, reproduc-tion and quality assurance of meat, hides, skin and wool.

Presently, there is simply no initiative designated to enhance meat production in the desert areas of Sindh or the Cholistan region of Punjab. The urban centres, such as Karachi and Lahore, are meeting their meat requirements from these local arid and semi-arid areas.

As underage, weak or aged animals are being slaughtered for this purpose, the quality of meat produced is unsatisfactory.

The farmers residing in these areas are landless, poor and deprived of basic tech- nical expertise. With livestock rearing being their sole source of earning, they are unable to invest sufficiently in the feeding and maintenance of animals.

Furthermore, the traditional system of livestock transaction comes to the detriment of the livestock owner. The involvement of the middleman reduces the income of livestock owner by at least 20pc.

This model needs to be redesigned and the livestock prices need to be based on the weight of the animal. As a result, farmers will be incentivised to fatten their male adult animals.

In order to safeguard farmers’ rights, meat companies need to be established in the arid and semi-arid regions under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925. These companies should be really well-equipped for breeding, rearing, fattening, disease control, mechanical slaughtering, meat processing, training of farmers and workers, and marketing.

Moreover, the enormous marine potential of shrimp and fisheries has been impeded by the lack of culturing facilities, and frequent capturing practices. A company has to be established under the above-mentioned Act in the coastal areas to increase the production of shrimps and fish.

Under the ambit of this proposed firm, hatcheries need to be made operational for production of seed and feed.

It should involve the coastal farmers, focusing on their capacity-building and training. The required fishing gear needs to be provided.

This initiative can be carried out with the required support from international donors, or as a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The development of coastal areas will foster an increased production of shrimps and fisheries.

This can then be exported to allay the country’s dwindling foreign reserves. This will also help to enhance the purchasing power of the farmers along with yielding palatable shrimps and fisheries products for domestic consump-tion. There is no loser in the equation.

Dr Baz Muhammad Junejo
Ex-Secretary, Livestock and Fisheries
Government of Sindh
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2024