PESHAWAR, Dec 3: NWFP Livestock and Dairy Department has the potential to double its Rs62.8 billion per annum revenue by exploiting its resources on sound footings, says a report.

“This sector has been massively overlooked by the previous successive regimes as it had not received the deserved response in accordance with its performance and output”, the report of the livestock department added.

The province has over 15.2 million cattle heads and 34.7 million poultry (22.7 million domestic and 12 million commercial), it states.

These animals produces 0.3 million tones of meat and 2.7 million tones of milk which brings Rs62.8 billion share to country.

Similarly, the livestock department is also avoiding a likely annual loss of Rs3.2 billion to the exchequer by providing medical treatment to 2.3 million animals besides vaccination to 0.4 million cattle heads and 3.1 million poultry birds against contagious diseases.

Under the breed improvement programme, about 1,20,000 cows and 15,000 buffaloes are inseminated each year, generating Rs152 million for the province.

Apart from potential income, the livestock department within limited budget and scanty staff has also generated Rs13, Rs15 million, Rs13.6 million and Rs13.5 million during fiscals 1997-98,1999-00 and 2000-01, respectively.

According to standard requirement of 27 grams protein of animal origin per head per day in Pakistan, the availability of same in the NWFP is 16.4 per head per day.

Of the total 924 veterinary hospitals and 138 artificial insemination centres in the province, only 200 veterinary doctors are posted, many veterinary institutions are run by para-veterinary staff.

The present provincial and district headquarters hospitals lack necessary diagnostic-treatment facilities like X-rays, ultrasound, indoor hospitalization and laboratory.

There are a total of 268 doctors of veterinary medicines in the NWFP for 15.2 million animal heads and 34.7 million poultry birds. Of these 268 doctors, 20 per cent (99), are performing administrative and other professional jobs.

The annual budget for the livestock for 2000-01 stands at Rs30.663 million, whereas annually millions of rupees are spent on synthetic foods like vitamins and mineral which are in no way better than the natural high quality foods provided by livestock.

For optimal exploitation of animal resources in the NWFP, the report also made some suggestions such as to acclimatize the future veterinary officers with various disciplines of the department and make them practical oriented.—APP