By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Comprehensive strategy has been devised to improve reproductive efficiency of cattle and buffaloes in smallholder production system and government has earmarked Rs. 495.15 (RS 1=0.01646 us$) for next 5 years to achieve the desired goals.
The funds would be utilized for establishment of embryo transfer technology center, semens production and processing center, strengthening of provincial semens production units and support of semens production in private sector, an official in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) Monday said.
He said that these projects would be started in collaboration with Military Dairy Farms Establishment which is due to set up embryo technology center at Military Dairy Farm Okara.
“It would also carry out field activities in these areas and also provide artificial insemination services to small farmers and impart training to improve dairy farming practices,” he remarked.
He said that government has also allowed duty free import of dairy meat and livestock machinery to boost up production of livestock value-added products.
MINFAL has encouraged breed improvement programmes and allowed the import of high yield animals and their semen and embryo for cross breeding to increase the production potential of local animals, he added.
He said that micro-credit schemes for small livestock farmers through commercial banks and credit disbursement has increased from 4.08 billion in 2004-05 to 10.63 billion in 2005-06 which showed an increase of 160 percent.