Inferior quality artificial insemination playing havoc with livestock in South Punjab.

MULTAN -- Unapproved and inferior quality semen has become a big hurdle in production and growth of livestock which not only affect milk production but also the availability of bumper meat.

Animals are handsome source of bread and butter for the farmers, especially hailing from South Punjab whereas cattle rearing has potential to address issue of poverty alleviation. However, unregistered artificial semen companies and non-qualified technicians are playing havoc with lives of the cattle and damaging peasants economically.

According to official sources, the cattle farmers should avail services of qualified artificial insemination service providers only. Low quality insemination caused irrecoverable loss to cattle.

Official sources told reporter that the additional directors and deputy directors of Livestock Department have been entrusted authorities to check the working breeding services providers in their respective districts. Pakistan is fortunate to be the home of some of the finest breeds of livestock as compared with other regional countries. There are two buffalo breeds namely, Kundi and Nili Ravi and eight discrete breeds of cattle.

Similarly, there are 28 breeds of the sheep and more than 20 breeds of goats recognized in the country. Sahiwal cow is considered as the best breed in Pakistan and globally. The sources informed despite having indigenous potential of Livestock sector for national growth and poverty alleviation, unit production of our livestock has been lesser than actual potential due to the variety of reasons including market distortions, nutrition, management, extension services and indiscriminate use of genetic resources for breed...