Web Desk
Pakistan has imported 2,078 U.S. cattle to help increase the dairy sector productivity with an ultimate aim to meet the milk and meat needs of its burgeoning population.
” As a result of the strong partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pakistan dairy sector, cattle shipments from the United States continue to supply Pakistan with high-quality bovine stock for its dairy and beef herds,” according to a statement of US embassy in Islamabad.
Roughly 95 percent of the cattle in this year’s first shipment are U.S. Holstein dairy cattle, which produce milk yields that are substantially higher than Holsteins imported from other countries.
The remaining animals are Jersey dairy cattle, noted for their high milk fat content, and Braham beef cattle, noted for their high-quality beef. All breeds have the genetic potential to adapt to Pakistan’s climate. At least two more shipments of U.S. cattle are expected to arrive before the end of March 2021, when the cattle shipping season closes, the statement added.
Pakistan’s demand for milk is increasing, and the introduction of U.S. dairy cows is helping Pakistan reduce the gap between milk demand and supply, thereby contributing significantly to ensuring sustainable food security in the country.
Agriculture is Pakistan’s second-largest economic sector, accounting for nearly 20 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2019-2020.
It remains by far the largest employer, accounting for nearly 40 percent of Pakistan’s labor force. For the nearly 63 percent of the Pakistani population living in rural areas, agriculture is a vital part of their daily life.
The first ever shipment of American cows came to Pakistan via air cargo in 2016, almost a year after the South Asian country allowed the commercial import of the milch animals from the United States.
Pakistani dairy sector tycoons are importing the cows from the United States and other western countries due to the fact that milk yields from the local breeds are much lower as compared to the imported animals.
If Pakistani’s cattle yields about 8-12 litre milk on average, the American cattle yields more than 40 litre per day, going up to 45 litres as well. Australian and Dutch offer 20-25 litres and 30-35 litres respectively with variances depending on breed.
