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.