ADP No/Code: 38/150090

Cost of the Project: 59.510 Million

Duration of the Project: 3 Years (2014-2017)

Location of the Project: This station will work as its one of sub-station of the Directorate of Livestock Research & Development Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar.

Objectives of the Project

The core aim of the project is to improve the socio-economic condition of the farmers/communities with particular reference to poor farmers for reducing poverty level. To achieve the core objectives of the project the following sub objectives will also be achieved.

·            Characterization and conservation of the local breeds

·            Study the productive and reproductive performance of the Jersey Cattle under local conditions

·            Improvement of local dairy breeds of livestock through selective breeding.

·            Creation of diagnostic facilities for Livestock Diseases in locality.

·            Working on economics and viability of the Jersey Cattle in the environment of Livestock R&D Station Swabi.

·            Production of certified Jersey bulls for farmers and A.I centers in Swabi, Mardan and Heripur etc is to be carried out.

·            Demonstrate viable packages of technology to farmers provide opportunities for practical training and study to graduate students, staff of line department as well as to progressive farmers.

 

Description & Justification of the Project

Location

The District Swabi lies between 33⁰-25⁰ and 23⁰-23⁰ North latitude and 72⁰-13⁰ and 70⁰-49⁰ East latitude. It is bounded in the north by District Buner, on the east by Haripur District, in the south by Attock District of Punjab province and on the west by Nowshera and Mardan Districts.

Geography

Swabi District is surrounded by big beautiful mountains in its north side and mighty River Indus with cold water running through in the east, irrigating its fertile land. Swabi bless with fertile agricultural land and therefore people are associated with Agriculture and Livestock.

Justification

The reputation of a successful completion of cross breeding of Sahiwal and/or non-descript cattle with the Holstein Friesian (Dutch origin) in the year 1995 led a small group of the devoted scientists working on Livestock Research & Development to work on the most important R&D activity of induction of the local and national Cattle   breeds Lohani and Dhani, respectively and a local cattle breed, viz. Achai, in the area. In the broad sense, the study pertaining to the two species will highlight production performance of the two breeds. Hopefully, more than five hundred farmers will benefit from the outcome of the results in the beginning importance of Livestock in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The nature has blessed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan with tremendous livestock wealth, which constitutes an important pillar of the provincial economy. In the province livestock constitute 55% of the total agriculture income. As compared to Punjab and Sindh which have a relatively large industrial base agriculture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains of much higher significance for the economic prosperity of its people. This province being mostly dry hilly terrain has little land for crop production and in this situation most of its landless and small holders (more than 85% of farmers) totally depend on livestock management and production.

In province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the Livestock department is basically a services providing organization. Its main concern is to prevent livestock diseases, treat the ailing animals with little emphasis on breed improvement of Livestock Research & Development program has been completely ignored in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in order to create awareness in farmers in exploiting maximum production of their animals and do problem oriented research. Under the breed improvement program the livestock department inseminates more than 0.8million cows and buffaloes every year, with the result of unnoticed income of Rs.9.0 billion are accrued to the province in the form of milk and meat increase annually. On average 3.9 million animals are treated and 2.4 million animals and 4.1 million poultry birds are vaccinated against contagious diseases, each year. In this way, the likely losses worth Rs.3.2 billion are avoided. The economic impact of the services rendered by the livestock department values worth billions of rupees in terms of increase in farmers, income, provision of quality of raw material for the industrial products in the form of hide/skin bone, blood etc in addition to the drought power and soil fertilization provided for increase agriculture production. The livestock department also plays role in making the nation healthier through provision of milk, meat, eggs and other essential products of animal’s origin for human consumption. It is likely to mention that livestock products (comprising milk, meat, hides, bones, blood etc) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of value about Rs.55 billion remained during 2009-10 as compared to Rs.48 billion of the crop sector. The waste residues (manure) of cattle and buffalos population of province values Rs.3.8 billion per year. With help of preventive and curative activities the livestock department; the possible risk to human health from transmission of zoonotic diseases is also minimized.

Benefits of the Project

Approximately 20 villages based Livestock Farmers’ Community Organization will be formed in the surrounding villages situated 20 Km radius of Livestock Research and Development Station Swabi where livestock pockets are available. Help of the progressive farmers/elders and other NGOs working in the area including Livestock & Dairy Development, Agriculture Extension Department through administration of respective will be solicited so that the project development implications particularly the breed improvement and feed/fodder programs as well as Animal Health and Production are extended to the farmers’ communities with ease and effectively.

Financial Benefits

The project effects of improved production potential of dairy cattle will not become noticeable within the life time of the project but immediate increase in milk and meat production will be achieved by providing know-how to the farmers on modern techniques in animal breeding, feeding, management practices and improved disease control. This will enhance milk and production, which will ultimately increase the farmer’s profitability by 10-15 percent.

Economic Benefits

The project will facilitate the farming community through introduction of better feeding and management practices, intensified disease control and breed improvement services thus increasing their economic viability/ profitability. There will be a considerable increase in the income of thousands of livestock farmers.

Social Benefits

The project will assist to create self-employment opportunities and hence decrease the unemployment in the rural areas and ultimately the poverty reduction.