Sri Lanka keen on importing Sahiwal bulls

Published February 1, 2024
Pakistan banned export of livestock in 2013 as the country was already facing shortfall of sheep, goats and cattle.—AFP/file
Pakistan banned export of livestock in 2013 as the country was already facing shortfall of sheep, goats and cattle.—AFP/file

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has sought permission for export of live animal to support artificial insemination (AI) in Sri Lanka.

As there was ban on export of livestock the Ministry of Commerce has forwarded a summary to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) scheduled to be held on Thursday.

The summary forwarded by the ministry has said that the Sri Lankan government has requested a dozen Sahiwal bulls to kick-start its National Artificial Insemination (NAI) programme.

After the approval by the ECC the summary will be presented to the federal cabinet for final nod.

The summary added that the move comes as part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to improve the genetic composition of its cattle population.

As per details artificial insemination has been recognised as a crucial tool in genetic upgrading programs for cattle in Sri Lanka.

The summary highlighted that several studies were conducted by Sri Lanka to evaluate the coverage and performance of AI at different levels, and it was finally decided that the ‘Sahiwal cow was a renowned breed, known as one of the best dairy cattle in India and Pakistan.

Due to its heat tolerance, high milk production, and resistance to parasites, Sahiwal bulls are expected to contribute significantly to enhancing the genetic qualities of Sri Lanka’s cattle population.

The summary has said that Sahiwal was a prolific milk breed, the calves grow fast and were not aggressive in nature, and resistant to unfavourable climatic conditions make them an ideal choice for Sri Lanka’s AI programme.

The food ministry had suggested that the revenue obtained from processing and exporting meat was significantly higher than that from exporting live animals.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2024

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Trump 2.0
Updated 07 Nov, 2024

Trump 2.0

It remains to be seen how his promises to bring ‘peace’ to Middle East reconcile with his blatantly pro-Israel bias.
Fait accompli
07 Nov, 2024

Fait accompli

A SLEW of secretively conceived and hastily enacted legislation has achieved its intended result: the powers of the...
IPP contracts
07 Nov, 2024

IPP contracts

THE government expects the ongoing ‘negotiations’ with power producers aimed at revising the terms of sovereign...
Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....