EDITORIAL

According to news agency report, Adeel Shah, Vice President of US-Pakistan Business Council, quoting a study of his organization has made pointed reference to enormous prospects of expansion of dairy farming and food processing industry in Pakistan. He said the gaps in dairy industry have been identified and the study reveals that "there are enormous prospects in dairy farming. In saying so, in an interview, he was, of course, referring to the country's livestock potential, which has remained largely untapped. The USPBC founder President, who led a four-member business exploratory delegation to this country, is also reported to have lamented that despite being the fifth largest milk producing country, but in the perspective of international standards, Pakistan's dairy production happens to be far too low. As for USPBC, which he helped its formation in 2000, subsequently getting it affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce.
The main purpose of affiliation, he stated was to help Pakistanis and Americans purposefully interact. As he elaborated, in organizing visits of interested US entrepreneurs and firms to Pakistan, his main objective was to help transfer of technology and management to Pakistan. In so far as the state of Pakistan's dairy industry is concerned, according to him, a normal cow in this country yields 8 kg milk per day, while a cow in the United States produces 65 pounds of milk daily.
This big difference, as he pointed out, was largely owed to malnutrition and under feeding of a cow or buffalo, saying its weight is also low. However, he said that with systematic feeding, some 60-70 per cent increase in weight gain could be achieved, consequently leading to increase in meat production too. It will also be noted that, at the same time, making a positive change in their earnings and improved living could ensure the welfare of cattle farmers. Notably, in this regard, he expressed the hope that "with needed scientific management, there could be an appreciable increase in dairy output, to the extent that Pakistan could easily become an exporting country of dairy products in the region." Moreover, giving the happy tidings of a joint venture in dairy industry, he said that during the delegation's Pakistan visit, an American company signed a memorandum of understanding for joint ventures in dairy industry. Now that the delegation's next visit to Pakistan is likely in March, one can look forward to substantial progress in that direction in foreseeable future. It will thus be seen that, notwithstanding lack of objectively conceived and scientifically planned schemes, it is the richness of potential that can help enlightened investors, gainfully avail of the unfolding opportunities. Needless to point out, such successes can result from efforts by motivated individuals and organizations, as exemplified by the pursuit in respect of the dairy industry and various other sectors. In so far as the organization, under reference, is concerned it is encouraging to learn that it gives advice to upcoming US ventures on how to proceed to Pakistan, and how best to take advantage of the favourable investment opportunities offered by it. It goes without saying that this kind of an approach, can only be resorted to with a keen eye on improvement in the country's socioeconomic conditions in accordance with its tremendous potential, more so in the agriculture, which predominates the country's economy. This should also explain as to why Adeel Shah, while lauding Pakistan government's favourable investment policies, urged prospective investors to avail of the conducive environment with due stress on increase in productivity. All in all, it will be noted that time has come when the government must come out with a scientific development strategy in the agriculture sector with a marked emphasis on its livestock potential.