Shocking, indeed, it is to learn from a recent Recorder Report, of the havoc allegedly wrought by corruption and maladministration at the Sindh Provincial Directorate Animal Breeding, Hyderabad, which has spent Rs 14.973 million on purchase of equipment, furniture, containers of liquid nitrogen gas for the uninitiated Milk and Meat Development in Sindh Project, besides a gamut of other irregularities.
Worst, it was reportedly revealed during a recent visit of Secretary Livestock Sindh Government, Meer M. Parhiar, to the Red Sindhi Cattle Breeding Farm at Tando Muhammad Khan spread over 200 acres of land.
Seemingly incensed by the upsetting conditions prevailing there, and taking serious notice of his failure to maintain the hygienic standards at the farm he stripped Director Animal Breeding, Dr Abdul Qadir Junejo, of his powers and restrained him from executing projects including Milk and Meat Development in Sindh and improvement of the existing livestock farms in Sindh.
He also relieved him of the responsibilities of Red Sindhi Cattle Breeding Farm at Tando Muhammad Khan, Kamori Goat Farm Khudabad at Dadu and Kundi Buffalo Farm, Rohri. The earlier the concern for threats to the animal assets of the province had been expressed, the better would it have been.
Needless to point out, going by the international recognition of the Red Sindhi cattle, the stern measures taken on these counts will pale into insignificance compared to what the situation will appear to have warranted. For one thing, it is a matter of pride for Sindh and Pakistan that the Red Sindhi cattle breed originated in Sindh.
Significantly, by virtue of its hardiness, heat resistance and high milk yields, it has spread far and wide, not only into many parts of India, but also, at least, in 33 countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. And what is more, under good management conditions the Red Sindhi averages over 1700 kg of milk after suckling their offspring. However, under optimum conditions there have been milk yields of over 3400 kg per lactation.
As such, it may be recalled, with a sense of pleasure, that Pakistan had gifted Red Sindhi cattle to the Australian government, way back in 1954. Small wonder, they have been successfully used in crossing systems with British breeds to produce tropical beef types. In Australia, they have been recognised as an adaptable, hardy breed, good foragers, with a high degree of resistance to heat and ticks.
Notably, scientists of the Karachi University (KU) are carrying out a genomic research on red Sindhi cows, the most popular cattle of all dairy breeds in the world, to improve their breeds as the demand of such cattle in the world is increasing day by day. Ever since they are being used for crossbreeding with temperate (European origin) in many countries to combine their tropical adaptations.
Such cows have been found as highly disease resistant, docile and robust food animal just like the Red Sindhi cows. Viewed in this perspective, the dismal treatment as allegedly meted out to their present generation, will be seen as devastatingly dangerous, as it could gradually result in their extinction. Now is the time to meet the challenge from an objective, planned and scientific approach.
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