Livestock production and marketing in Pakistan

THE PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF MEAT IN PAKISTAN IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD. FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF 1973, A FOUR-MAN TEAM OF U.S. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SPECIALISTS REQUESTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION IN PAKISTAN TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF THE INADEQUATE QUANTITY AND LOW QUALITY OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS REACHING CONSUMERS, AND TO OUTLINE PROGRAMS THAT WOULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS. THE BASIC PROBLEM FOUND WITH MILK AND MILK BY-PRODUCTS IS THE LACK OF ALL-WEATHER ROADS AND RAIL LINKS, COUPLED WITH A LACK OF REFRIGERATED MEANS OF TRANSPORTING MILK. GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THESE, ALONG WITH DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVE MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS, WOULD HAVE A HIGH PAYOFF. PROBLEMS IN THE SHEEP AND GOAT INDUSTRY CAN BE SOLVED BY REDUCING LIVESTOCK NUMBERS, ASSURING THAT ROTATIONAL GRAZING IS PRACTICED, AND THAT A MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF GRAZING IS OBTAINED. ALLOWING THE PRICES OF MUTTON AND GOAT MEAT TO RISE WOULD DIVERT MUCH OF THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN SHEEP, GOATS, AND WOOL INTO LEGAL HANDS, BENEFITING THE WHOLE OF PAKISTAN. PROBLEMS WITH BEEF PRODUCTION CAN BE SOLVED BY INTRODUCING GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR EXPANDING THE CAPACITY OF EXISTING FEED MILLS AND CONSTRUCTING ADDITIONAL ONES. THE SAME APPLIES TO FEEDYARDS, SLAUGHTERHOUSES, AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. AN EFFECTIVE DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL PROGRAM ALSO NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED, AS WELL AS A SYSTEM OF GRADING AND PRICING MEAT TO DENOTE DIFFERENCES IN QUALITY. FINALLY, THE SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING AND ANALYZING LIVESTOCK DATA NEEDS TO BE GREATLY EXPANDED, SO THAT THE DATA CAN BE USED IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND DEVELOPING PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY. THESE DATA WOULD INCLUDE ANNUAL ESTIMATES OF PRODUCTION, BIRTH AND MORTALITY STATISTICS, FEED SUPPLIES, FORAGE CONDITIONS, AND OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS AND INVESTMENT NEEDS.