Cattle farm upgrading
The
size of the farm has expanded in recent years but the staff
and infrastructure facilities sanctioned way back in 1982
for 90 cows are not enough to manage around 500 animal
heads.
The existing
under-paid staff works round the clock at the farm to handle
the hectic job, says a an official at the farm.
There is no clinical laboratory and the farm needs at least
three multi-purpose sheds. The animal’s paddocks, hostel and
other residential buildings.
In the farm are in dilapidated
condition and need
immediate repair, he claims.
The farm does not have any internet facility, computer
operator or a stock of agricultural inputs and machinery.
The water channels are not lined which results in wastage of
water and labour.
Farm experts say that arrival of Achay and goats has led to
a difficult situation for the already over-burdened farm
employees and the limited feed meant for imported precious
breeds. Instead of jumbling
them up with precious breeds, there should be small and
separate breed farms for Achay and goats in hilly areas or
in other districts, experts say. These even can be opened
here as a lot of space is
available inside the farm. But of course, these should have
separate staff and budget for them.
The farm works to increase milk and meat yield of indigenous
animals though cross-breeding with exotic animals, transfer
dairy technology, propagation of high yielding fodder crops.
It also acts as model
farm for progressive farmer and has a teaching/training
centre for veterinary graduates.
The artificial insemination centres (AICs) of the province
and FATA are dependent on this farm for supply of semen.
Young cross-bred male animals are also sold to farmers here
on subsidised rates that
give them an opportunity for natural insemination in places
where AICs are not available.
“Farmers have learnt a lot from us and their income has
increased by following advice of experts on how to modernise
farms and increase milk and beef yield,” said another
official at the farm.
“The cross-bred Friesian cows at the farm are high-milk
yielding species that give up to 40 litres a day as compared
to an average 4-6 litres yield by common breeds. This can
substantially increase the
income of farmers and bring prosperity to them,” he said.
“The original imported Friesian cows were highly susceptible
to warm climate. Out of the 90 imported Friesian cows, 14
died in the first year. But now their cross-breeding with
Sahiwali bulls have
produced a breed that has adapted to local weather,” the
official said.
The SPU at the farm prepares about 0.21 million
doses of AI annually and earns over Rs10 million.
The official said that by importing more bulls for
SPU, increasing the standard and amount of feed for
the existing 31 bulls, and expanding the coverage of
AI services, the income may go up substantially.
“This can save millions of rupees on import of
foreign semen doses. We provide the locally produced
semen straw to farmers for Rs50 while the imported
one costs over Rs7,000,” he added.
“We have to import the technology that separates
male and female semen for obtaining a calf of one’s
choice. The SPU also should have a single machine
for filling, sealing and printing the semen
straws which will save time and increase its
production,” he emphasised.
Another innovative technogy is that of the bio-gas
plant in which dung is utilised for production of
gas. “Any farmer having at least three animals can
establish this plant with a one-time investment of
Rs40,000. The gas produced is sufficient for two to
three households. While the residue of the plant
makes up the best fertiliser,” said the official.
The farm also has introduced various fodder
varieties in the province. “One of the varieties
named Mott grass has the potential to meet the
fodder needs of farmers of the province. It has a
per-acre yield
of around 120 tons of grass per annum. It is liked
by animals and can be sown on leftover places such
as banks of water channel and other unattended
places,” he added.
The Harichand farm has a total area of 561 acres but
only 27 acres are under farm building and paddocks.
The rest is under crops or fodder cultivation. There
is a great potential for opening more specific
farms for different animals here but of course with
separate staff, management, budget and fenced
buildings.
Courtesy: The NATION
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