Humped or Zebu cattle
(Bosindicus) were domesticated 7000-8000 years ago in Indus valley present day
Pakistan. Of the about 450 tropical breeds, the zebu is the main type in the
subcontinent and Africa. One of the best known zebu breeds is the Sahiwal in Pakistan
which developed on the Indus plain especially in the Ganji bar. The
introduction of a canal irrigation system during 1914 changed the ecology and
agriculture of the area from pastoral livestock production to intensive crop
production. British Government leased out lands to conserve the Sahiwal cattle
breed. First Conservation farm of its kind was approved on 30. 6.1914 at
Jehangirabad near KachhaKhu Distt. Multan (now Khanewal) by leasing out 4190
acres of land to Sardar Jehangir Khan Wattu. Second farm for similar purpose
was approved during 1917 at Allah Dad, Jehanian, Distt. Multan which was closed
during 1977. Third farm was established near Montgomery during 1920 by leasing
out land to Datar Singh which was closed during 1952. Later two farms contributed
towards conservation efforts for the breed but for a shorter duration.
Efforts towards conservation of
the breed continued at Jehangirabad Cattle farm till today being pioneers. This
farm really changed the Sahiwal breed history through its contributions in the
shape of breed development by issuing pedigreed bulls to the nation and even to
the world. Motivation for the Sahiwal Cattle lovers and general public by
participating in national Livestock shows in the country and even in Delhi
before partition. Milk and beauty competitions inspired the general public for
rebreeding the Sahiwal breed. This farm was nationalized during 1977 and its
contributions continued in a novel way both at Government farm as well as at
private original farm. During the period from 1915 to 1976, 4638 cows and
heifers, 1770 bullocks and 8608 breeding bulls were supplied for further
breeding and utilization from private farm and 1972 bulls and heifers were
issued for further breeding from Government farm, a real contribution towards
conservation of the breed. The Sahiwal breed here improved at such a prime
level that it was exported to China, Australia, Kenya, Newzealand, Malysia,
Bangladesh, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Sri Lanka and Kuwait etc. Animals
of this farm won National beauty and dairy championships. Now it is found in
more than twenty nine countries of the world. More than eight synthetic breeds
have been evolved by utilizing Sahiwal breed in tropical countries. We being
Pakistani are proud of our Sahiwal, a free gift of nature. The year 2014 is
therefore, a year to celebrate the past and embrace the future.
Being the tick resistant, heat
tolerant, high milk producing breed under harsh and low input farming systems,
easy calver, reproductively efficient and economically sustainable, it is
globally known breed. Sahiwal produce A2 type safe milk whereas Holstein
Friesian (Boss taurus) produce A1 type milk which is associated as risk factor
for fatal human diseases. Livestock is already playing its role in poverty
alleviation in rural masses and its contribution in Agriculture GDP is
increasing which is now 55.4%. According to International Farming Comparison
Network (IFCN-2012), Pakistan is the 3rd largest milk producer (Energy
corrected) in the world after India and USA. Being producer of safe milk,
export of value added products can be increased to earn the foreign exchange.
Sahiwals are among the largest
zebu cattle, with a mature weight from 500-900 and 360-400 kg in male and
female respectively. The coat colour is usually reddish dun or sorrel, but
brown is also common. The cows have large, sometimes pendulous udders with big
teats. The bulls have a large hump, which often leans to one side, and a
pendulous sheath. The dewlap is also large. The horns are small and commonly
loose in the female. Male calves are being utilized for routine utilization as
beef after fattening and especially for sacrificial purposes.
Historical efforts for its
conservation continued at private and government level. A postage stamp was
launched during 1949 by the Mamlikat-e-Khuda Dad Bahawalpur on the eve of
Silver Jubilee celebration (1924-1949) depicting the Sahiwal bull.
According to Pakistan Livestock
Census 2006, 2.75 million heads of Sahiwal cattle are available in the country.
Due to its global importance and unique characteristics, efforts for its
conservation on scientific lines continued and Government of the Punjab
established separate Research centre (RCCSC) for its conservation during
2003-04, Breeding programme of RCCSC has been recognized by FAO. As a first
effort, during 1914, inspite of great pressure of crossbreeding since 1970, its
conservation continued. For its further promotion at global level, a memorial
postage stamp should be issued on completing its 100 years during 2014.
It is proposed that on completing
100 years of Sahiwal dairy cattle improvement, a commemorative postage stamp be
issued to mark the centenary of the globally known Sahiwal breed, honouring the
Sahiwal cattle breeders and lovers the world over.
On completing 100 Years of Sahiwal Breed Conservation 1914-2014, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on August 05, 2014.
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