The federal government plans to drastically alter the dairy industry via mass artificial insemination with foreign sperm, effectively eradicating local hardy cow varieties capable of producing up to forty liters of milk per day.
According to a government official, due to limited production, milk has been pricey in the country, and it is not available in pure form.
To boost milk production, a project is expected to introduce by Prime Miniter Imran khan, in which Rs 40 billion worth of imported semen will be available in three years that will help to improve the characteristics of local cow breeds and boost per-animal milk production to 5,000 liters from the current 1,100 liters.
Pakistan’s livestock sector accounts for a significant portion of the country’s agricultural economy. A herd of 49 million cows produces 59 billion liters of milk every year in the country.
He continued, the average milk yield of local cows is only 1,100 liters each lactation, compared to 7,000 liters for Australian cows and 11,000 liters for American cows. He also said that the country’s annual milk consumption per capita is 200 liters, which costs Rs18,000.
