Livestock Breed Improvement Program
Planning Commission of Pakistan and Livestock Breed Improvement Program. Analysis on national program of improvement of livestock breeds. This is the program of Government of Pakistan. Experts from the different sections participated. Progeny Testing Program for the provision of quality semen and improvement of cow breeds and buffalo breeds. | پلاننگ کمیشن اور بریڈ امپروومنٹ پروگرام ۔۔ مضامینِ نو، ڈاکٹر محمد جاسر آفتاب
لائیوسٹاک سرمایہ کاری، آرمی چیف کے نام خط
ساہیوال نسل کی گائے کے اوصاف اور پرکھنے کا معیار
مفت امپورٹڈ سیمن کا منصوبہ، تنقید اور حقائق ۔۔ مضامینِ نو، ڈاکٹر محمد جاسر آفتاب
ورلڈ بینک سمارٹ پروگرام بارے اجلاس، پروجنی ٹیسٹنگ پروگرام ٹریننگ کا انعقاد
Every new project of genetic improvement begins with the mourning of the previous projects and then, with renewed hope, the journey towards another tragedy starts. Neither are the facts behind the previous failures brought before the public, nor is responsibility fixed. The same experts, the same manipulation of words, the same promises, and the same dreams continue to be repeated.
What Past Inquiries Revealed About Livestock Breed Improvement Projects
“Eighty percent of the herd was found to be of another breed, meaning that a large number of animals belonged to breeds other than those under which they had been registered. There were significant differences between the number of registered animals and the actual number found in the field. Animals with spotted and unusual colours were registered under pure breeds. Crossbred animals carrying foreign genetics were also registered as indigenous breeds. There was no proper record of proven bulls.
The software developed for the project never functioned properly. Registered animals were not provided the intended services. The actual milk production of animals did not match the production figures recorded. DNA profiling revealed that many calves shown as the offspring of selected bulls were not actually their progeny. Field surveys found that the number of registered farmers was far lower than official records indicated. Even the recommendations made earlier by international consultants regarding progeny testing were largely ignored.”
These findings emerged from official inquiries into Punjab’s previous progeny testing programs. I have also documented these facts in my book. Their basis is not newspaper reports or unofficial sources but official government documents.
Planning for New National Genetic Improvement Program
The Planning Commission has now decided to formulate a national program for genetic improvement to improve livestock production. For this purpose, the Livestock and Dairy Development Board organized a national workshop to develop consensus among stakeholders.
A new federal project, accompanied by huge financial allocations, naturally creates excitement among many participants attending such workshops as well as among experts who receive information through the media.
Without Strengthening Service Delivery, Genetic Improvement Cannot Succeed
Unless the livestock service delivery system is strengthened and provincial governments recognize their responsibilities, no breed improvement program can succeed.
When work avoidance, government employment combined with private business interests, alleged ghost veterinary hospitals, manipulated data, dummy farmers’ organizations, false reporting, and forgery continue, no new project can produce results different from those of the past.
Grassroots Staff Determine the Success of Livestock Breed Improvement
The most important role in genetic improvement is played by field staff working at the grassroots level. The success or failure of every breed improvement program ultimately depends on this workforce.
To monitor their activities effectively, an ICT-based dashboard is essential. Such a system should not only monitor registered animals but also track field staff, breeding activities, and service delivery in real time.
Instead of relying on outdated software, Pakistan needs a modern digital monitoring system. One successful example was the 9211 system previously implemented by the Punjab Livestock Department, which unfortunately was later discontinued.
Breeding Authorities Must Be Strengthened
Effective monitoring of breeding services, including semen distribution and other breeding inputs, is equally important.
In this regard, the role of provincial Breeding Authorities is critical. Provinces where these authorities already exist should ensure that they function independently with adequate human resources and financial support. Provinces that do not yet have breeding authorities should establish them without delay.
At the federal level, efforts should focus on ensuring the implementation of breeding laws, strengthening breeding authorities, and promoting coordination among provinces. Only after building this institutional framework should large-scale genetic improvement programs be launched.
Strengthen the System Before Launching New Projects
If breeding authorities and breeding service delivery systems are strengthened first, then future genetic improvement programs can reasonably be expected to achieve better outcomes.
Pakistan Has Been Repeating the Same Experiment Since 1970
Almost every new government or newly established livestock institution launches another breed improvement initiative. Similar experiments have continued since the 1970s, yet the overall outcome has largely been disappointing.
Even after several decades, the same statement continues to be repeated:
“Pakistan possesses excellent indigenous livestock breeds, but unfortunately they could not be properly conserved.”
Ironically, the same experts who participated in earlier programs often become part of every new initiative. During the past four decades, while livestock breeds have shown limited improvement, the number of self-proclaimed breed improvement experts has certainly increased.
Future Projects of Livestock Breed Improvement Must Learn from Past Failures
New projects often bring new high-paying positions, project adjustments for government officers, official vehicles, meetings with senior officials of the Planning Commission and federal ministries, visits to Islamabad, and opportunities to utilize project funds.
However, if the true objective is genetic improvement of Pakistan’s livestock, then future programs must be designed differently. Lessons from previous failures must be incorporated, and greater reliance should be placed on new thinking rather than repeatedly assigning responsibility to those who were already part of unsuccessful projects.
Facts Should Guide Future Decisions regarding Livestock Breed Improvement
The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission has previously served as Secretary Livestock Punjab and therefore possesses first-hand knowledge of the livestock system and the people involved in it. Likewise, the Member Food Security also understands the strengths and weaknesses of the existing system.
It is hoped that this time, decisions regarding Pakistan’s Genetic Improvement Program will be based on facts, institutional realities, and lessons learned from the past rather than repeating the same approach once again.
