Agriculture is the mainstay of the Pakistani economy, generating 18.8 per cent of the total GDP. With almost 61.89 per cent contribution, livestock is by far the most important sub-sector within agriculture. This makes Pakistan an integral player in the global dairy market, being the fourth largest milk producer in the world. Existing in a constantly connected world, it is no longer a choice for Pakistan to continue with its archaic farming methodologies. The need of the hour is to keep pace with globalisation and the subsequent upgradation in knowledge, methods, and processes for better productivity, efficiency, and overall improvement of the dairy industry. It is, thus, extremely important to exchange information, and innovative techniques about the latest dairy practices to unleash the tremendous potential the country possesses to elevate its role even further in the years to come. Elements that lead to better productivity and improved livelihood of the farmer community are welcome collateral, as well. Developing the dairy industry through global practices adapted to the local landscape will enable better nourishment for all in the industry.
When global experts bring in their inherent knowledge, skills, and abilities, the widespread sharing behaviour translates into real-time collaboration for the local community. The core values of such collective activities are featured by cultivated trust, and well-informed staff, with a high level of professional development, community and learning culture, continuous erudition, and leadership commitment.
While Pakistan is one of the major global players in the dairy market, it is riddled with a fair share of challenges. The major problem with dairy farming in Pakistan is the low milk yields of Pakistani cattle and buffaloes. This low production potential of local animals is primarily attributed to a few identifiable issues, such as the lack of a systematic national breed improvement program, lack of availability of good quality fodder and nutrients, and mediocre farm management practices.
Developing the dairy industry through global practices adapted to the local landscape will enable better nourishment for all in the industry.
The local industry also suffers from the lack of genetic resources, delay in attaining puberty, shortage of optimal feed, high disease incidence, lack of an organized marketing system for livestock, insufficient facility for research and development, shortage of veterinarians, lesser infrastructure facility in rural areas and the maintenance of traditional farming practices.
The Pakistani industry can then, scale better heights with dairy feed improvements, and better dairy routines, systems, and procedures. On average, a dairy animal in Pakistan yields 6-8 times less milk than a dairy animal in the developed world. So, Pakistan needs to have a coordinated and globally integrated strategy from enhancing per animal productivity, going straight to milk procedures, procurement, and minimization of wastage. With all of the above, sharing in the successes of global experts will inherently fuel the ongoing energy and momentum of the industry.
Various local companies have had a guiding hand in this developmental, knowledge-sharing process, such as FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Ltd (FCEPL). FCEPL’s Dairy Development Program (DDP) is a proponent of sharing dairy knowledge from global experts in a very human and localised manner. Their signature Farmer2Farmer program involves conversations and interactions between Pakistani and Dutch farmers, in an effort to boost dairy production both qualitatively and quantitatively. Informed local farmers will make rural communities in Pakistan that much more viable. It will strengthen the agricultural and dairy sector and provide socio-economic stability for the farmers to sustain their livelihoods.
Global exposure in a post-pandemic world makes it all the more sense to take advantage of the developments from other countries. This peer-to-peer support is more valuable than ever when people can add their know-how to the learning experience and share it with other colleagues.
Finally, knowledge sharing and reuse are about inculcating positive company culture. A great knowledge platform nurtures democratisation by putting information and expertise in everybody’s hands. It flattens the hierarchies that can form when “experts” possess key knowledge and “laymen” do not. All of this makes for better teams, with higher levels of internal trust and cohesion.
Today, knowledge sharing is mission-critical for any organization that hopes to thrive in the digital economy. So what Pakistan needs right now is diversity – of thought, experience, and education. And what better way to show that the expertise is valued than by inviting them to share it.
The writer is an agriculturist, CEO and Founding Member at VIVI GRO Sustainable Solutions.