Cattle Farming in Pakistan: Scope and Feasibility

Cattle farming, also known as agriculture farming, is a profession in which farmers or different business investors raisecattle breeds. Some people take it as a business or profession, and some as their passion and raise different kinds of famous breeds just for their interests.

There can be two specific reasons to have cattle farms. One group is for the food business, such as selling milk and meat. And another purpose is to use these cattle for agricultural purposes, such as plowing the fields.
In today’s world, cattle farming is one of the components of the agricultural economy of developing countries. Government or semi-government members run different livestock business plans to run the country’s economy.
Cattle farming includes different contributions, not only by providing meat and milk to the market at a significant level but also by the source of fiber. Cattle farming in Pakistan is one of the leading business projects led by different investors and business professionals.

This article will give you a complete guide to cattle farming in Pakistan. And how you can take it as a business plan, and what are other things to know about cattle farming. Cattle farming is an expansive project and includes different kinds of things. So, I will cover almost all essential points about cattle farming in Pakistan.

Famous Cattle Breeds In Pakistan:

If we talk about cattle farming in Pakistan, there are almost ten cattle breeds. There were almost 30 cattle breeds in the world. And currently, nearly 75 cattle breeds are registered in the United States.
Different farm owners also export cattle from out of the country. But here, we will discuss the Top 5 cattle breeds of Pakistan, which can be a perfect choice for cattle farming.
Our Top best cattle Breeds Are:

• Sahiwal Cow.
• Red Sindhi Cow.
• Cholistani Cow
• Sibi Bhangari Cow.
• Lohani cow.
• Dajal
• Dhani

Now, we will discuss their features and characteristics and let you know about the advantages and disadvantages of having that particular cattle breed.

Sahiwal Cow:

Sahiwal cow is considered one of the best milch cattle in Pakistan. These cattle are a breed of Zebu Cow, named for an area in Punjab, Pakistan. Sahiwal cattle are also found in India.

It is one of the heat-tolerant cattle breeds. Sahiwal cattle are an endangered breed, and that’s why they are costly too. Sahiwal cattle is known as the heaviest milker of all the Zebu breeds.
They are fast-growing calves and can survive in unfavorable climatic conditions. If we talk about their milk lactation, then on average, Sahiwal cows are 2325 kilograms.

Their lactation yield range is from 1500 to almost 2750 Liters. However, some of the particular breeds have higher productivity. The high milk yield of Sahiwal cows is almost 6000kg, recorded by an organized farm.
Overall, the Sahiwal cow breed is one of the healthiest breeds. As they are heavier feeders, they need a high level of management and an extra amount of feed than the other breeds.

Red Sindhi Cow:

As the name shows, this breed is from Sindh province. They are widely rising for their milk production. The weight of the male is up to 530, and the female species is 300 kilograms. These are also heat-tolerant breeds known as Malir cattle and Red Karachi.
If we talk about milk production, this breed annually gives almost 3500 liters of milk. These breeds are dark red and also famous for their attractive color. On average, red Sindhi cattle cost practically 50000 Rs to 70000 Rs in Pakistan.

Cholistani Cow:

Cholistani is a medium-sized breed located in different regions of Pakistan. These are also heat-tolerant breeds and are generally white, with different black and brown spots on their skin. Some breeds of Cholistani cattle are large, with small horns. These are primarily used for dairy production, and they can give almost 15 to 17 liters of milk daily if fed appropriately at a large scale.

The Cholistani cow breed was first recorded in Pakistan’s Livestock Survey in 2006, and research on this breed is limited. Cholistani cows are a relatively recent breed that may have evolved from a crossing between Sahiwal and indigenous cattle. According to certain unsubstantiated sources, it is the progenitor of the Sahiwal variety.

One of the notable strategies of the Pakistani Government is the launch of the project “Promotion of Cholistani Cow Through Offering of Improved Animal Services” at the Government. Livestock Farm (GLF), Jugait Peer, Bahawalpur, currently houses 450 sets of beautiful specimens of Cholistani cows. Cholistani is an ethnicity that arose in the Cholistan Desert, specifically in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahimyar khan.

They contribute a substantial amount of milk, beef, and wool to the national economy. Cholistani cows of the highest quality provide 15 to 18 liters of milk each day. Flabby animals with enormous size. The horns are quite tiny. The earlobes are quite long. Males have a well-developed hump. Both females and males have a big dewlap. All over the body, including the head, is a white coat mottled with black, red, or brown.

Males have a pendulous sheath. The milk output of Udder varies between 1200 and 1800 liters for each lactation. Females and male animals have an average body weight of 350 to 400 kilograms and 450 to 500 kilograms, respectively. Males make excellent meat and can also be utilized as draught animals.
Cholistani breed Costs between Rs “140,000-160,000”. The average age of the first calf is 50 months. The term of service is 140 days. The dry period runs 225 days. The period between calving is 425 days. The gestational phase is 285 days long.

Sibi Bhangari Cow:

As the name shows, this cattle breed is located in Sibi, Balochistan province of Pakistan. These cattle are used for draught and beef; the skin color of these cattle is pure white.
Sibi cows can produce 12 to 14 liters of milk per day. There is variation in their milk production according to different localities. As per the record, in the Sibi cattle farm, the milk production of Sibi bhangari was 19.5 kilograms per day. And it was the greatest milk production recorded yet, by Sibi Bhandari.

Lohani Cow:

Named after the district of Balochistan Loralaie, it is found in both Pakistan and India. They are small cattle and draft-type cattle with small narrow faces and big eyes. The milk yield of Lohani Cattle is usually lower than other described cattle. Lohani cattle produce nearly 905 kilograms of milk per lactation. According to the region and the amount of feed you provide, they can be fair or lower in milk production.

Crossbred Cow:

Crossbreeding is the method of combining two different breeds to create a new generation. It varies from animal to animal whether they have both breed cow crossbreeding qualities.

Crossbreeding is advocated in Pakistan for nondescript species with sperms from local high-producing varieties such as Cholistani, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and others, as well as exotic varieties such as Jersey, Holstein Friesian, and others.

When compared to other existing cows, these crossbred animals produce more milk, have a shorter calving gap, mature earlier, and have a longer lactation duration.

Dhanni Cow:

Dhanni is a cow variety originating in Pakistan and India’s Punjab area. It is mostly found in Chakwal, Kott Fateh khan, Fateh Jang, and Attock though it is utilized throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Dhanni is a mild draught cow variety that is medium in size. It has a thin face, narrow ears, and a flat back with a large hump. It comes in various colors, with brown, red, or black dots.
It has a long tail that terminates with a white switch. The quickness of this breed’s bulls is well-known. A male weighs approximately 400 kilograms, whereas a female weighs approximately 300 kg. Females produce 1,000 to 1,200 liters of milk on average.

Feasibility Of Cattle Farming In Pakistan:

Now that we know about the different breeds of cattle in Pakistan, let us know about the feasibility of cattle farming in Pakistan. If we talk about the modern era, there is almost 60.5% contribution of livestock in agriculture industries, and it is 11.3% of the total GDP rate of Pakistan.
Pakistan has now been designated the 4th leading milk-producing country globally, with a production value of almost thirty-two million tons annually. Now, you can understand that the cattle farming business can be profitable and one of the most successful businesses you can ever lead. Beef cattle are generally the easiest and most profitable livestock to raise for the profit concern.

Requirements Of Cattle Farming:

Cattle mostly require a broad and good structure, such as good pastures, healthy supplements during different seasons, freshwater, proper feed according to breed, and plenty of room to roam. Fresh air, light, and space are also crucial for cattle.
If we talk about essential equipment, there is a need for some water tubs and a proper watering system; we require appropriate feeders and health care equipment. We need healthy and nutritious food for cattle to produce proper milk.

Cattle Farming Business In Pakistan:

Commercial dairy and cattle farming is a profitable business in Pakistan. There are different plans and structures to start the cattle farming business. You can start it from only one breed and can extend this business. All we need to know about that specific breed you will raise is their characteristics, requirements, and everything related to that.

You can start this business in an area with high demand for milk. Many people fail and end their businesses; this happens when you start your business with high investment. So, always start a cattle farming business with minimum investment. You can buy breeds and can bring them to your place. All you need is to be patient and correctly take care of your breed.

Government Subsidies For Cattle Farming:

As I mentioned earlier, cattle farming is a business profession and plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Because of this, the Pakistan Government took the initiative, and now we have different government plans, projects, and subsidies for farmers and the local people to start the livestock profession.
Here we will discuss some of the subsidies and programs of the government for cattle farming.

• Kissan Dost Livestock Development Scheme:

It is one of the famous subsidies by the government for cattle farming. This scheme includes building sheds and purchasing Milking Buffaloes/Calves Fattening. This scheme’s primary purpose is to establish cattle farms to fulfill the growing demand for dairy products, such as milk, at reasonable prices.
Almost 100.00 Million rupees are provided in this scheme to start the cattle farming business, keeping in view some of the borrowers’ cash flow for the requested amount of finance and security for the bank interest. The government of Pakistan introduced this scheme under the Bank Of Punjab.

• Livestock Punjab:

Livestock Punjab is an organization or a chapter run by government officials for the cattle farming occupation in Pakistan. Livestock Punjab runs different community-based projects to aid farmers and provide them with enough knowledge about the Livestock profession. They also provide annual small-medium subsidies and fulfill some of the needs, such as feeds and other essential types of equipment.
Their recent projects under the Prime Minister Of Pakistan initiatives:

• Save the Calf/Cattle Fattening.
• Rural Poultry Distribution:
• FLT and STC Inspection Schemes, 2021.
• Distribution Of Poultry Units Schemes, 2020-21.

• Livestock Financing For Dairy Farms:

Bank Al Habib and Nestle Pakistan started this financing scheme for deserving farmers to create their own cattle farming. This scheme is to provide small, medium, and long-term financing facilities. Dairy farmers working with Nestle Pakistan for the last two years, having a valid CNIC Number, and living in that area for more than five years can apply under this scheme. In this scheme, dairy farmers can be facilitated from 2 to 5 years to purchase livestock and dairy equipment and distribution or transportation requirements.

You can check the pertinent details and instructions for the application process at:

‘‘Al Habib Kissan Livestock and Dairy Development Finance Scheme’’

It will provide you with detailed guidelines for the application process.

Government Policies For Cattle Farming:

As I have discussed the government subsidies and schemes for cattle farming, the Government of Pakistan has generated different policies to improve the cattle farming occupation in Pakistan. These include different loans and grant policies, including other projects and plans under government officials. Here we will discuss the main policies generated for the betterment of Cattle farming in Pakistan:

National Agriculture Policy:

Cattle farming is a profession related to the agriculture sector; thus, this policy includes different subsidies and loans for crops, sustainable agriculture development, irrigation, and Livestock. Under this policy, there are different programs run by the government of Pakistan, and it includes various grants for the respective programs. Check the criteria and programs available through the National Agriculture Policy official website.

Farms And Commodity Policy:

Farms and commodity policy run by USDA, Economic Research Services. Pakistan is also a member.
In this policy, the USDA reviews various projects, and the problems and issues are discussed at the international level. Under some terms and conditions, grants and loans are provided for particular occupations, such as livestock.

How To Start The Cattle Farming Business:

Cattle farming is one of the hot topics of today’s business world. Many people take an interest in this occupation and try to proceed with it at a significant level. The cattle farming business is relatively easy to start; we need accurate information and a mindset.
There are five pillars of cattle farming.

• Breed of animals
• Nutrition
• Housing(comfortable environment)
• Management(Timely vaccination, Treatment of sick, Timely availability of all needs)
• Marketing of End product

These are some of the points that can be the most challenging part of starting this business, so let’s discuss them.

• Challenges:

One of the most challenging parts of starting this business is selecting high-quality, environmentally suitable, and high-yielding animals. A simple solution is to import the animals, but most people consider it a bad idea, as it will cost you much more than other options. But if we talk about milk production and better breeding, it could be your best investment. Compared to our local breed, the imported breed can give almost 35-40 liters of milk per day, whereas the local breed can give up to 15-18 liters of milk per day.

The feed quantity of both imported and local cattle is almost the same. In some cases, some breeds require more feed. Keep in mind, always start a cattle farming business at a small level, with little investment, and then extend it gradually. It is always considered the best solution to avoid business complications. There are various things we need to understand while starting a cattle farming business:

Here we will discuss the main of them:

• Environment:

Providing a healthy and suitable environment for your cattle will keep them healthy and happy. So it will ultimately increase your profitability and breed growth. It can happen when you provide a convenient environment and proper temperature to cattle. Clean, water-sprinkled, and properly ventilated sheds are essential.

• Food:

Fresh, clean, and proper food is vital for adequate milk production. If you feed your cattle at the proper time, with good food quality, it will be the source of good health for your cattle. You can also make an appropriate separate food area for pregnant and lactating cattle to get fed without disturbance.

• Water:

Clean, fresh drinking water is an all-time requirement for cattle, especially in summer. Every adult cow almost consumes 50-80 liters of water regularly. So, this is very important to provide them with fresh, clean water. You can use water tubs or clean water troughs in this regard.

• Udder Health:

A hygienic and clean milking routine three times a day ( morning, afternoon, and evening) lowers the chances of Mastitis as udder health. The hygiene and health of cattle are essential things to notify.

Conclusion:

Cattle farming in Pakistan and throughout the world is the most important and feasible business to run the country’s economy. As Pakistan is an agricultural country, thus cattle farming can be one of the top occupations. Pakistan’s cattle genetic resources are diversified. Indeed, it is thought that this region of the planet was the site of one of the world’s first animal domestication centers.Pakistan has a significant animal population that is well-acclimated to weather patterns.

The livestock sector is an economic powerhouse for reducing poverty in Pakistan, as it plays a prominent role in the country’s economy. The abundance of all main livestock species has steadily increased throughout time. The pace of growth, on the other hand, differs with the breed. By a large amount, cattle outweigh buffaloes. Cows were primarily utilized as draught animals in Pakistan, in addition to dairy products, and as automation gained traction in the 1960s and 1970s, cattle populations increased at a minimal rate.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the adoption of interbreeding for greater dairy production sparked a surge in interest in cattle raising. In Pakistan, there are ten different cow breeds. However, these breeds are thought to make up about 30% of the population, with the rest categorized as non-descript. Lohani, Dhanni, Kankrej, Red Sindhi, Tharparker, Djal, Rojhan, Cholistani, and Sahiwal are Pakistani cow breeds.

Cattle are natural manufacturers that transform roughage like grasses, bushes, and other plant matter into high nutrients, such as meat and milk. It is a well-known dietary fact that cattle proteins provide more essential nutrients than vegetable proteins. The leading dairy varieties include Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Cholistani, well-known globally for their qualities. Aside from well-defined cattle breeds, this country has numerous generic and cross-breeding cows. Below are descriptions of some cow breeds.