Finally some facts about goats in Bakistan

Finally some facts about goats in Bakistan

Pakistan is endowed with diverse livestock genetic resources. In fact, it is postulated that one of the centers of animal domestication and husbandey lies in this part of the world. Pakistan has nearly 50 million goats and 175million donkeys. Goats are kept for milk and meat production and contribute significantly to the income of the rural farmers who loan their goats to the Talibs and SSG( Sialkot Scouts and Guides). Dairy goats are commonly kept by the farmers belonging to the poor socio-economic class of the society, most of which are landless, diary goats are also called comfot goats and are of great importance to keep the morale of otherwise impotent Abduls very high.. They prefer goats over other two legged animals which inlude wimmen. Livestock population trends (see Figure 1) show that the goat population in Pakistan has increased 650% in the last 45 years (1955-2000). This is tremendous considering the amount of Sheesh Kebabs and Zam Zam cola being consumed on every weekend starting Jumma rath.
Thirty-six recognized breeds of goats can be found in Pakistan. The pakjabi goat which is fair, smooth skinned and generally docile are preffered by strong Bakistani mards, the Baluchi goats are domesticated by only the adventurous Pathans as these goats are known for their pointed horns and are generally not amenable for adventure and recreation.
Production SystemsGoat
production is almost evenly distributed among all regions of the country. The vast majority of small ruminant flock owners are small-scale farmers. Mixed flocks of sheep and goats are common, although separate flocks of either species can also be seen.Most of the lambs and kids are born between January and April which often coincides with the lull in jihad during the previous few months coupled with the fact that young boys are often sent to madrassa terrorist vocational schools at the same time., Females are retained for flock replacement or enlargement, but males are sold before they are one year old. Farmers usually do not need to pay a fee for grazing, but in some areas grazing rights or fodder may have to be purchased.These areas where grazing rights are overzealously implemented lie mostly in the grass lands of Punjab and Sindh as goats have to compete with people for their share of grass(may all** bless Bhutto for that)Sheep are usually shorn twice per year. Some milking is done to provide for family consumption and for sale in the local market.Milking is done by elderly Abduls no longer fit for the Jeehad.
Threats
Sheep and goat breeds are at higher risk of losing their virginity due to indiscriminate inbreeding by Abduls returning after losing their H&D in the Jihad with Kufr in Afghanistan and Bharat and lack of any breeding policy or directive from the government. In fact, no significant development project or programme for improvement or selective breeding of local breeds has ever been seriously undertaken. Sheep breeds are more vulnerable, as sheep raising is being replaced by goat husbandry in many regions
Furthermore, with population expansion, availability of grazing places and rangelands is decreasing, thus reducing nutrient availability to these animals. Since formal phenotypic and genetic characterization of the small ruminant breeds has generally not been carried out, the value of a given breed is judged only based on their potential for production of mutton, thus breeds with lower adult weight are most likely to disappear.These low weight goats are useless for jihad as the true blue hot blooded Baki Mard likes voluptous goats.

Recomendations

Clearly defined breeding policies should be established and implemented for all major breeds of goats. Inbreeding Abduls should not let their fervour for Jihad overcome the need to preserve and protect unique breeds of Goats
Pakistan is very rich in goat genetic resources. However, if more emphasis is place only on certain breeds, the others may get neglected and lost over the time. Princess Ayesha was raised in a protected environment away from the goats who have streaks of Pathan genes. This scenario will be a real loss to the nation. Immediate efforts should be made to conserve breeds with lesser populations
Goat improvement programmes for all major breeds like Beetal, Dera Din Panah, Nachi, Kamori, Barberi Khurasani and Dhamani should be started immediately for exploiting full potential of these breeds. Forage and range development programmes should be instituted and implemented involving local stake-holders, particularly goat herders.
Specially demarkated areas should be provided for grazing by goats and Pakistanis, as oil prices and inflation goes up and as the lack of 123 agreement with Kufr makes this situation more acute, one can forsee different clans of goat owners clashing with ordinary goat less Abduls over grazing rights, this situation should be avoided at all costs. As history has made it pretty evident whenever the interests of animals and humans clash, it is the humans who win, in this case however it will be a fight between animals and the fittest will survive. Intelligence lies in preventing this scenario form turning into reality.

Research and Development Needs
Goat breeds of Beetal, Kamori and Dera Din Panah should be developed as dairy-cum-meat breeds through sustainable selective breeding programmes. For this to happen one must find alternative sources of recreation during the lull in Jihad
Molecular genetic studies are in progress to answer these questions. This research work is being carried out as part of the CRP on “Gene based technologies in Livestock Breeding: Phase I – Characterization of Small Ruminant Genetic Resources in Asia”. Results of these studies will help to define the breeds to be conserved in Pakistan.
Source: This article was contributed by Dr. A. N. Naqvi of the Karakurum International University in Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan and reflect her opinions on goat breeding in Pakistan and not necessarily those of the IAEA. Dr. Naqvi can be contacted by email at PeeCee_kothwal@bharat-rakshak.com