Small Ruminants Culture

Small Ruminants Culture

Animal Sciences

Saanen Goats being introduced in Pakistan
Goats with population of 58.3 millions are primarily kept for mutton by millions of poor and landless farmers. Goats play a significant role in the country's economy by producing approximately 366 thousand tons of mutton. Goats are generally regarded as poor man’s cow and these also produce about 719 thousand tons of milk annually. Other products of economic significance include skins, hair and manure. There are 37 breeds of goats found in different regions of the country. Majority of these breeds are mutton type while some are dual purpose and may act as promising milch type. These include Beetal, Dera Din Panah (DDP), Naachi, Kamori, Kaghani and Damani.
 

Milk is second most important product of goat particularly in rural and remote areas because of its nutritional value. In some parts of the country, where cow and buffalo milk are not available, goat milk is the main supply for home consumption. During the lean period (May to August), the milk supplies of buffalo/cow are not sufficient to meet the high demand; then goat milk fills the gap. Cost of production of goat milk is much lower compared to buffalo or cow milk. Goats contribute to the health and nutrition of several million people in Pakistan, especially those on the poverty line. This is of particular importance for the most vulnerable groups like pregnant and nursing mothers and babies who may not have access to mother’s milk. The goat is called the universal foster mother and also called a poor man’s cow. Goat’s milk is characterized by smaller fat globules compared with cow’s which renders it as highly digestible. Cream rises to the top more slowly if goat’s milk is left standing. Goat’s milk can help individuals who have become allergic to particular proteins in cow’s milk. Specialized goat cheese is a speciality in some parts of the world.
 

The famous dairy breeds of goat in the world include Alpine, LaManchas, Anglo Nubian, Oberhaslis, Saanen and Toggenburg. Among these Saanen has proved its worth as a dairy goat breed in many countries of the world. Saanen goats originated from Saanen valley in the south of Canton Berne of Swizerland during late nineteenth century.
 

(Saanen Dairy Goats)

For its outstanding performance and wide range of adaptability, Saanen dairy goat has been exported to all over the world and has become the world’s most popular dairy goat. Saanens have usually uniform white colour, is of large size, vitality, herd compatibility and have “eager to please” temperament. The largest part of their popularity, however, is due to their milking ability. Saanens surpass all of the other breeds due to following features:

1. Consistent milk production.
2. It adapts to every climate ranging from -12oC to 35oC.
3. Its milk is similar to cow’s milk but free from any allergic element.
4. Its milk is easily digestible compared with cow’s milk.
5. Its average milk production ranges from 4-6 kg per day during a lactation period of 300 days with exceptions having a milk yield of more than 6 kg/day.

Keeping in view its popularity and potential for milk production, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council is planning to introduce germplasm of Saanen goats in the country with the following objectives:

1. to evaluate Saanen as dairy breed under Pakistan’s field conditions
2. to improve milk production in indigenous breeds of goats by crossing with Saanen.
3. Competitiveness of cost of milk and mutton production in Saanen crossbreds.

Saanen goats have been in China since early 20th Century. After continuous process of up-gradation and selective breeding they are now similar to purebred Saanen in both body conformation and milk production. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has therefore opted for the import of Saanen from China not only for economic reasons but also for their acclimatization in the Asian region. All necessary documentation for the import of stock from China has been completed. Particularly opening of Letter of credit (LC) has been conveyed to concerned exporter. After completion of all necessary arrangements, the exporter will intimate for receiving the goats from Pak-China border. Similarly physical infrastructure at the Farm has also been completed. Inputs like concentrate, roughages feeds and medicines have also been arranged. Declaration of one shed as temporary quarantine house is under active consideration by Animal Quarantine Department of Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Ministry of Livestock and Dairy Development, Government of Pakistan.
 

PARC plans to produce purebreds bucks of Saanen at its National Agricultural Research Center during (2010-2011) and then distribute these bucks to farmers during (2012-2015) which own low milk producing breeds of goats. This introduction of exotic blood will increase goat milk production with an improvement in farmer’s socio-economic conditions.