By: Muhammad Basil (Dairy Scientist)
When
dairy farmers migrated to Pakistan on 14th of August, 1947. They
left their animals behind and were without milk and dairy animals. Empty-handed the peasantry had nothing to eat. But there were white corn and the sugarcane in
fields which were sown by Hindus and Sikhs who also migrated to India. Farmers
started to care for those fields and fulfilled their hunger. Now the challenge was
to get dairy animals to sustain their living. Hindus and Sikhs leftover their
dairy animals opened in fields of newly emerged Pakistan to graze while Muslims
migrants left their animals opened in the fields of Indian Territory while
migrating. Some of the migrants after reaching in Pakistan took over those
animals grazing in fields, few wealthy people bought it from the local residing
(non-migrant) Pakistanis but most of the animals were captured by the non-migrant local
population. The government faced this challenge as it was the need of time to sustain food security and livestock is the backbone of agriculture. There was a high
demand for milk and meat to deal with the shortage of food and to deal with
malnutrition of migrants. So government at that time captured the free-roaming
animals and stolen animals by the help of police. Later on, those animals had been distributed among the migrants one or two animals. Then people started domestic
dairy farming whose purpose was only to fulfil their domestic needs of milk and
meat. There was a time when selling milk was considered a bad norm in villages
and farmer consumed all of the milk at homes in the following ways;
· By making buttermilk and distributing
buttermilk to neighbours who lacked milk.
·
Making of butter as the chapatti without
butter layering was not praised by the men.
·
They used to make the ‘’desi-ghee’’ because the hydrogenated
condensed fat or the packed cooking oil was disliked by the old people.
·
They used to present the milk to the guests
as there was no custom of tea making or beverages at that time.
·
Made different dishes in which milk is used
such as sweets and ‘’’kheer’’.
·
Used to ferment the yoghurt as it was a necessary part of breakfast.
Later on, with the rise of the population, the trend was changed gradually
and the people were convinced to sale milk. Now the dairy industry is progressing
day and night in Pakistan. There is an addition of dairy technology and artificial
intelligence in this sector. Dairy farming is transforming from semi-mechanized
farms to mechanized farming. Common village dairy farmers are also earning
profit from dairy animals. By the grace of Allah Almighty Pakistan is standing
in top 5 milk-producing countries of the world. Different industries related to the dairy sector have been established in Pakistan. Soon Pakistan will develop her
own high producing breeds by the hard work of scientists, students and dairy
farmers. Government of Pakistan encourages and supports the department of
livestock and dairy development to run projects and to help the dairy farmers.
In this regard, veterinary dispensaries are established in each union council
whose responsibility is timely vaccination and treatment to animals. This expense
is beard by the government to flourish the peasantry. Veterinary mobile dispensaries
are also in-ground. First Department of Animal Husbandry was developed in the University
of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Faculty of Veterinary
Sciences creates the graduates each year which is a milestone for the progress
of this sector. The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences is also playing
its vital role in the research field.
The purpose of this article is to highlight that from where we started
in 1947 and where we are today in 2020. The journey of 73 years has taught us
many gaps and plus points in this sector.
Reference: As narrated by the migrant Dr Muhammad Din (ex-politician).
Happy Independence Day from DSUAF.
Informative
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valuable response.
Delete