Pakistan's dairy struggle

Published August 27, 2012
A man is silhouetted as he washes the cattle farm.
A man is silhouetted as he washes the cattle farm.
A man drinks tea at a roadside stall in Rawalpindi.
A man drinks tea at a roadside stall in Rawalpindi.
A man pours milk into a pot while making tea at a roadside stall.
A man pours milk into a pot while making tea at a roadside stall.
Farmers attend a training workshop at a school building in Sahiwal, Punjab.
Farmers attend a training workshop at a school building in Sahiwal, Punjab.
A farmer inspects the quality of milk in an industrial refrigerator at a farm in Narowal, Punjab.
A farmer inspects the quality of milk in an industrial refrigerator at a farm in Narowal, Punjab.
Farmers pour milk from one container to another to be processed.
Farmers pour milk from one container to another to be processed.
Farmers carry milk in a container to be processed in Narowal.
Farmers carry milk in a container to be processed in Narowal.
A farmer uses a milking machine to get milk from a cow at a Jassar Farm in Narowal.
A farmer uses a milking machine to get milk from a cow at a Jassar Farm in Narowal.
Cows are led away from the milking area.
Cows are led away from the milking area.
Farmers fix on milking machines to get milk from the cows.
Farmers fix on milking machines to get milk from the cows.
Farmers pose with a special breed of bulls from Denmark at a farm in Sahiwal.
Farmers pose with a special breed of bulls from Denmark at a farm in Sahiwal.
A man works at a cattle farm in Sukheki, Punjab.
A man works at a cattle farm in Sukheki, Punjab.

The state of the dairy industry is a striking example of Pakistan's habit of missing opportunities throughout a 65-year history tainted by military coups, political infighting and a form of crony capitalism that has stifled entrepreneurship. With 63 million cows and buffaloes, Pakistan has one of the world's biggest herds, but it cannot export milk because the animals' yields are so low. The sector engages 35 million people (20% of the population) in direct or related work.

There exists a band of trailblazers that wish to transform Pakistan's dairy industry into a multi-billion dollar enterprise by introducing modern techniques to farming. - Photos by Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Parliament’s place
Updated 17 Sep, 2024

Parliament’s place

Efforts to restore parliament’s sanctity must rise above all political differences and legislative activities must be open to scrutiny and debate.
Afghan policy flux
Updated 18 Sep, 2024

Afghan policy flux

A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised and decision taken to improve ties. Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind.
HIV/AIDS outbreak
17 Sep, 2024

HIV/AIDS outbreak

MULTIPLE factors — the government’s inability to put its people first, a rickety health infrastructure, and...
Political drama
Updated 16 Sep, 2024

Political drama

Govt must revisit its plans to bring constitutional amendments and ensure any proposed changes to judiciary are subjected to thorough debate.
Complete impunity
16 Sep, 2024

Complete impunity

ZERO per cent. That is the conviction rate in crimes against women and children in Sindh, according to data shared...
Melting glaciers
16 Sep, 2024

Melting glaciers

ACCELERATED glacial melt in the Indus river basin, as highlighted recently by the National Disaster Management...