Lahore: Despite being the 4th largest producer of milk in the world and a major sub-sector of agriculture, together with livestock contributing more than 60% of value added agriculture and 11.7% of the total contribution to GDP, the dairy sector faces persistent challenges that hinder its optimal potential.
With a population of 240 million people meeting their protein and dairy needs, Pakistan’s dairy and beef industry is largely underperforming, requiring huge efforts to improve it.
These were the views expressed by industry experts while speaking at an event that marked the partnership between Cloud Agri Pakistan, Australian breeding company NASNA, one of the leading live animal exporters, and Denkavit Nederland, a Dutch global leader in baby food. of animals with more than 90 years of knowledge and experience in the field of feed solutions for young animals.
Dr. Rana Shaukat Hussain, CEO of Cloud Agri Pakistan and Global Business Director of Cloud Agri Group said that by joining forces with NASNA and Denkavit, we are not only facilitating the implementation of cutting-edge solutions for livestock and nutrition, but also fostering a platform for knowledge exchange. and implementing international best practices for dairy and beef farmers in Pakistan.
The collaboration is poised to bring unprecedented benefits to Pakistan’s dairy and beef industries. NASNA will serve as the exclusive provider of high-quality Australian dairy and beef animals, while Denkavit will supply state-of-the-art calf rearing solutions to meet the diverse needs of Pakistan’s cattle farmers.
By supplying premium cattle breeds from Australia and introducing advanced calf nutrition solutions, this partnership aims to elevate Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector to global standards. This strategic alignment is set to empower local farmers and stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary to increase production, improve animal health and overall industry development.
Ms. Henny Fokel de Vries, Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, hoped that the partnership between the Dutch and Pakistani company Cloud Agri would lead to the development of Pakistan’s livestock industry on modern lines. She said there are over 50 Dutch companies operating in Pakistan, including in the dairy and agriculture sectors.
She assured her full support to Pakistani and Dutch companies operating in the dairy sector.
She said Pakistan and the Netherlands are engaged in what she calls historic cooperation in the dairy and livestock sectors.
The partnership will create a comprehensive knowledge-sharing framework to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to adopt modern farming and animal husbandry techniques to meet growing dairy and protein needs and meet food security challenges. as well as increase the quality of production to meet international standards for export.
To improve the genetics of local cattle breeds and increase milk production, the Punjab government is implementing various policy interventions in dairy and beef farming. These interventions include the provision of artificial intelligence services, breeding programs, capacity building, financial support and development of breeding policies, as well as creating opportunities for beef exports by creating FMD-free units.
With a vast population of around 30 million cows and an equal number of buffaloes along with more than 100 million sheep and goats, these animals together produce over 60 million tons of milk annually, underscoring the sector’s key role in meeting domestic nutritional needs and supporting livelihoods.
Dr. Sajjad Hussain Sanghi (DG Research L&DD Punjab) said that the livestock industry in Pakistan has historically been dominated by small producers, with traditional methods prevailing throughout the country. However, with the advent of modern technology and increased awareness, the industry is undergoing a transformation. Govt. the department works smoothly on an ad-hoc basis to develop FMD-free programs while enabling global private-public partnership companies to welcome advanced vaccine technologies to the country. Smallholder farmers are gradually adopting innovative practices such as improved breeding techniques, better feed management and advanced livestock health care.
Inefficiencies in the production process, together with a lack of awareness among farmers about modern techniques to increase milk and meat production, pose significant challenges. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure, including storage and transportation facilities, degrades quality and hygiene and further hampers the growth of the industry.
UVAS joins hands with private companies and leads the veterinary academy to play its role at the provincial and national level.
Harnessing technological innovation, promoting sustainable practices and strengthening market linkages and advanced breeding programs in both dairy and beef farming can play a vital role in driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the country.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mazhar Ayaz (Vice Chancellor, CUVAS Bahawalpur) said that such events provide a platform for key stakeholders, industry experts, academia and the government. livestock department, agriculture professionals and dairy and beef farmers across Pakistan to come together, share their knowledge and plan a common path towards a more dynamic and sustainable future to meet the food and feed requirements of the growing population and CUVAS always welcomes to join hands with private sectors to meet the needs and expertise of the country.
Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha – Former VC UVAS/UED said that the vision of this tripartite collaboration should go beyond immediate commercial interests and foster lasting partnerships that benefit Pakistan’s dairy farmers and livestock farmers. The influx of high-quality dairy advanced nutrition solutions and live cattle will revitalize Pakistan’s trade relations with the Netherlands and Australia, strengthening the bond between the nations and strengthening their shared commitment to excellence in agriculture and growth in the livestock sector.
