Violating act: 143 breeding service providers to face the music

Officials say there is dire need to improve production and quality of livestock

MULTAN: The Livestock Breeding Service Authority (LBSA) lodged 143 FIRs against breeding service providers against violation of the breeding act.

Officials said that additional directors and deputy directors had been given authorities to check working of breeding service providers in their districts. The breeding inspectors used to check different facilities, samples and also seal substandard semen.

The breeding authority registered 6,474 artificial insemination technicians (AIT) in the province for providing standard services. Similarly, the authority was also monitoring the AITs so that no one could harm breeding animals.

The officials added that 20 FIRs were registered in Rahim Yar Khan, 12 each in Okara and Bahawalnagar, 11 in Nankana Sahib, 10 in Muzaffargarh, seven each in Khanewal and Vehari, six in Sahiwal, five each in DG Khan and Mianwali. However, FIRs were also registered in some other districts.

Pakistan is fortunate to be home to some of the finest breeds of the livestock as compared with other regional countries. There are two buffalo breeds, including Kundi and Nili Ravi, and eight discrete breeds of cattle. Similarly, there are 28 breeds of sheep and more than 20 breeds of goats.

Sahiwal cow is considered the best breed in Pakistan. It remained a champion in All India Cattle Show from 1939 to 1941 with a peak yield of 25.4 litres of milk at that time.

Sources said that despite having a great potential in the livestock sector for national growth and poverty alleviation, the unit production of the livestock has been lesser than actual potential due to various reasons.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2018.