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Large Ruminants Research Institute, Sibi.
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PRINCIPAL AUTHOR: Dr.Illahi Bakhsh Marghazani
SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
LRI, SIBI.
CO-AUTHORS:
Dr. Mohammad Azam kasi Dr. M. Ibrahim Sultani
DIRECTOR GENERAL, L& DD PROJECT DIRECTOR
BALOCHISTAN R&S NARS-B, PARC.
Dr.Mohammad Yousaf Lodhi Dr.Mohammad Jamal Marri
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIFIC OFFICER FARM SUPERINTENDENT
LRI, SIBI BPRC, SIBI
Dr. Khalid Hamayun
SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
LRI, SIBI
ABSTRACT
I. B. Marghazani, M.A. Kasi, M. I. Sultani, M. Y. Lodhi, M. J. Marri, and K. Hamayun
Large Ruminant Research Institute, Sibi
Sibi is among the hottest places in Asia. It is enriched in old
norms and nomenclature. Sibi Horse and cattle show is an annual event
that is being celebrated in this place since last several centuries. The
nucleus of the event is the Bhagnari cattle. Its typical animals are
massive with compact and well-proportioned body and limbs. It has
natural ability not only to resist and survive in scorching weather
conditions of the region but also to maintain itself in fodder scarcity
periods. The inhabitants of the region are directly or indirectly related
to this cattle breed. Even, their economic prosperity of the farmers
depends a greater extent on the sale and purchase of this animal. Survey
conducted in Sibi region showed that this typical breed is rapidly losing
its naturally gifted vigor and strength due to crosses with prevailing
non-descript animals. Farmers possessing and maintaining the true
characters of this cattle breed are few in numbers. It is therefore, the
emergence of recessive phenotypic or non-descript characters in the
major part of Bhagnari cattle population is visible everywhere in its
home tract. Consequently, farmers fetch poor prices due to its poor
characters and loose vigor. To preserve the true characters and
economic wellbeing of the farmers, this survey study strongly
recommends the introduction of Artificial Insemination of true to type
semen in non- descript Bhagnari cattle population.
INTRODUCTION
Balochistan , the land of typical geography, can be categorized in various
ecological zones. Sibi, lies in Midwestern zone, where the annual rainfall is
less than 400 mm. It is the only plain area of the province extending up to
Nasirabad zone.
Inhabitants of the district
practice settled farming.
Nevertheless, at times
during winter, flocks of
sheep and goats from
places situated at 4000 to
more than 7000 feet above
sea level (Zhob, Lorali)
migrate to this area. The
Afghan powindahs also
come from neighbour
country come to these
plains in search of grazing
for their animals.
People of the Sibi region
predominantly have agricultural economy, with livestock as integral part of
their life. Bhagnari cattle, the pride and prestige of the region playing a vital
role in alleviating the poverty of the inhabitants. The present strength of this
cattle breed is 1026861 in Pakistan , of that Balochistan possess more than
60% (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2006-07). Sibi, being the home tract
and hub of Bhagnari breed become the site of interest for us. It is therefore
ssiMap-District Sibi
this preliminary survey was carried out to investigate the present status of
this cattle breed in order to improve and lessen pros and cons respectively.
SURVEY
A general survey was conducted in six sampled villages of Sibi in order to
study the Bhagnari cattle management, feeding practices and production
parameters in prevailing circumstances. In addition to that, economic status
and other social aspects of the farmers were also included in the
Questionnaire. The sampled villages were,
1) Talli
2) Marghazani
3) Mizri
4) Kurak
5) Kolachi and
6) Chandia
Thirty (30) farmers from each village were interviewed. Survey team was
comprised of Principal Scientific Officer and two Senior Scientific officers
as depicted above.
Survey results explain that Bhagnari cattle farmers can be categorized in two
main types. 1) Progressive farmers or Purebred breeders and 2) Common
farmers. Both these categories have their own specific way of Bhagnari
cattle management and feeding as well as breeding practices.
Survey team with farmers
Proportion of Bhagnari Cattle Farmers in Sibi region
Progressive farmers
15%
Common farmers
85%
Graph-1: Proportion of farmers major types in study area
Bhagnari cattle management under Progressive Farmers:
Progressive farmers are in-fact Purebred breeders that usually keep pure
breed Bhagnari cattle. They possess this breed more than 99% of their large
ruminants. BhagNari cattle serves two purpose for them i.e., prestige and
wealth. They manage it with special care and attention.
Grazing to these animals is less practiced, however few farmers do graze
their cattle at their own lands separately from community grazing cattle.
They practice it in order to avoid cross breeding with non-descript cattle.
These purebred cattle are not used for draught purposes.
In feeding of cattle, they pay more attention. Basal diet comprises of Green
fodder. Mostly Sorghum is used as green and grain. Supplementation
includes different concentrates rations. In addition to that, desi ghee, milk
and eggs in different compositions known as Desi totkas (locally proved
fattening ingredients) are used at periodic intervals.
Housing management is simple and usually consists of Kaccha houses with
the provision of clean water tanks and mangers. Open ventilators and
windows provide more way for cross ventilation. Usually doors have
wooden material and made by farmers by own implements used for
agricultural purposes.
Health of animals is observed excellent. They remain cautious against any
disease to infect their cattle. Foot and Mouth disease is proved more
troublesome as vaccines have no effect against the prevailing virus strain in
the region. Mortality is reported in Purebred BhagNari calves due to this
disease. Tick infestation is another problem faced by these farmers. They use
veterinary medicines along with desi tactics to treat their animals against
endo-parasites and bacterial diseases.
In the management of purebred Bhagnari cattle the role of male member of
the family is more prominent. Feeding, watering, care and all sorts of
management practices are done by the males. These kind of breeders are
more devoted and had dedicated their lives in keeping good health of their
animals. At annually held Sibi Mela, they participate with great zeal and
fervor with their animals in order to get distinction in various categories of
breed competition. On the other hand, at the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Azha
they sell their animals particularly in Karachi at very high prices in
accordance with their beauty and grace.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Others BhagNariCattle
Agriculture
Progressive farmers
Common farmers
Graph-2: Role of different nature of activities in the life of Progressive and common
farmers
Bhagnari cattle management under Common Farmers:
Common farmers usually keep Bhagnari cattle as part of agriculture system.
Such farmers do own Bhagnari cattle with recessive phenotypic characters
or non-descript cattle. These cattle types used for draught purposes,
particularly for green fodder carrying.
Grazing is usually practiced with community cattle. A common shepherd
(professional by birth) charge Rs. 40-50/ adult animal per month for grazing
hours. Cattle from the community gather at the head or tail of the village
around one hour after sunrise. Grazing hours last till two hours before
sunset. Pastures are deficient in grasses, however, grazing do help animals in
little exercise and little feeding after rains.
In feeding management, these farmers feed cattle according to their
maintenance requirements. Here, basal diet is also green fodder, but wheat
straw or hay is mostly fed after grazing. The practice of supplementation
ration is not common. Only milking cows are given little priority with the
provision of wheat bran, rice polishing or dried bread.
Housing management is simple enough ranging from tree shed to proper
kaccha house. In the management of non-descript Bhagnari cattle, the role of
female member of the family is more prominent. Feeding, watering, care and
rest of the management practices are mostly done by the females. These non-
descript Bhagnari cattle serve to common farmers as cash money. When a
farmer need money for own livelihood or purchase of some agricultural
commodities, the Bhagnari cattle fulfill the desire by placing itself in nearby
market. But it is unfortunate, that these animals fetch poor prices. Although,
these kinds of cattle are not properly fed, however, the main reason behind
this mishap is non-descript or recessive phenotypic characters in Bhagnari
cattle.
Characteristics of Bhagnari cattleCharacteristics of Bhagnari cattle
Physical characteristics of typical Purebred
Bhagnari cattle include massiveness with
compact and well proportioned body and
limbs. Body color is white or grey, deepening
to almost black on the neck, shoulders, and
hump in adult mature males. Head is medium
sized with a short , strong neck. Ears are
small and pointed. Dewlap is small while
horns are short and stumpy. It has straight
back, wide, muscular and drooping
hindquarters and black tail switch.
Comparatively non- descript Bhagnari cattle
are less massive with loose and ill-
proportioned body and limbs. The body
color of the non- descript Bhagnari cattle are
completely white, red at the forehead, black
spots or completely grey. Pure bred
Bhagnari cattle attain maturity at much
earlier age than non – descript Bhagnari
cattle. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio
and other parameters are also comparatively
better than non-descript animals. The more
astonishing fact is that non-descript
Purebred Bhagnari Bull
Non-descript (or with recessive characters) Bhagnari Young stock
Non-descript (or with phenotypic recessive characters)Bhagnari Bull
Purebred Bhagnari Cow
Bhagnari farmers are more than 90% in the region, including less serious
recessive phenotypic characters.
Such an alarming situation needs to switch the
attention of livestock policy makers from
multi-discipline factors to single but the most
important fact. It is essential to chalk out a
comprehensive program to introduce pure
Bhagnari semen in the region to eliminate
non-descript characters in the breed that in
one or other way lessening the net profit of the farmers. Consequently, such
an effort would certainly help to greater extent in poverty alleviation of the
region.
Now, it is imperative to write few lines about Artificial Insemination.
It is a technique in which deposition of semen in the cervix is done by
artificial means. It is devised for the genetic improvement of farm animals.
The greatest advantage of this technique is the opportunity to spread superior
germ plasm by the wide use of carefully tested selected sires. Artificial
Insemination is being practiced widely in Quetta, Pishin, Mustong and Kalat
for the insemination of exotic milch breed semen in to the local non-descript
cattle. This practice has resulted in enhanced milk production. The matter in
our case is little different as there is a need to inseminate local pure bread
Bhagnari semen in to the local non-descript (or possessing recessive
characters) Bhagnari cattle. During survey study, farmers expressed
unawareness to this technique. But the positive attitude and willingness
showed by them when asked about the tentative program of the project for
Non-descript Bhagnari Suckler
introducing pure Bhagnari semen in to their animals. On the other side,
purebred Bhagnari breeders also expressed positive response in providing
the services of their selected sires for semen collection.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Bhagnari cattle are the symbol of prosperity for the inhabitants of the
region. Unfortunately, the non-descript heads are increasing with an
alarming pace. The market value of non- descript cattle is negligible as
compared to the purebred Bhagnari cattle. Consequently, their true potential
remained unearthed. Considering such meaningless present status of
Bhagnari cattle in the region, a plan to use the purebred semen in the home
tract of Bhagnari cattle is highly recommended. With the passage of time
and generations interval, it would be possible to preserve this genetic
resource with its true type and potential. With such practical approach and
timely effort, it would be possible for this breed to continuously serve for the
prestige and economic blessings of the farmers in the region.