Introduction
Rohri, a historic city in Sukkur District, Sindh, is synonymous with Pakistan’s livestock legacy. At its heart lies the Livestock Development and Research Farm for Kundhi Buffaloes, established in 1963 to preserve and enhance the prized Kundhi buffalo breed. Despite challenges like climate change and governance gaps, Rohri’s livestock sector remains vital to rural livelihoods and national food security. This article examines Kundi Farm’s role, current initiatives, and strategies for sustainable growth, integrating insights from global agricultural innovations.
1. Kundi Farm: A Legacy of Buffalo Breeding
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| Kundhi Buffalo Herd Thriving at Rohri’s Historic Livestock Farm |
The Kundhi buffalo, native to Sindh, is renowned for its high milk yield (6–8 liters daily) and adaptability to arid climates. The government established Kundi Farm in Rohri has been instrumental in preserving this breed since 1963. Key highlights include:
- Herd Management: The farm maintains 152 Kundhi buffaloes and 48 sheep, focusing on genetic improvement and disease resistance .
- Research & Outreach: Training programs for farmers on modern breeding techniques and nutrition.
- Challenges: Limited resources and outdated infrastructure hinder scalability, as seen in recent governance audits .
2. Climate Resilience and Disease Management
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| Premium Kundhi Buffalo: Sindh’s Milk Production Powerhouse |
Rohri’s arid climate and recurring droughts necessitate adaptive strategies. Lessons from Zimbabwe’s Livestock Recovery and Resilience Plan (2025) offer insights:
- Drought-Tolerant Breeds: Prioritizing breeds like the Kundhi buffalo, which thrive in water-scarce conditions
- Disease Mitigation: Enhanced veterinary services, including decentralized diagnostic labs and vaccination drives against diseases like lumpy skin disease.
- Feed Banks: Establishing household fodder reserves to combat feed shortages during droughts .
3. Sustainable Innovations: Methane Reduction and Precision Farming
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| Sustainable Farming at Kundi Farm: Farmers and Buffaloes in Harmony |
Global advancements in livestock sustainability could transform Rohri’s practices:
- Methane Reduction: Trials of feed additives like Rumin8’s bromoform-based product reduced cattle methane emissions by 95% without affecting productivity . Adopting such solutions could align Sindh with global climate goals.
- Precision Breeding: Integrating metabolomics and genomics (as seen in EU pig re-breeding programs) to enhance Kundhi buffalo resilience to heat stress .
4. Governance and Community Empowerment
Addressing systemic challenges is critical for progress:
- Anti-Corruption Measures: Post-2023 audits at Kundi Farm highlight the need for transparency in resource allocation .
- Farmer Training: Capacity-building initiatives, such as those promoted by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Agriculture, could empower Rohri’s farmers with skills in herd management and disease prevention .
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations to fund borehole drilling and modernize infrastructure .
5. Future Pathways: Export Potential and Agro-Tourism
- Halal Market Expansion: Pakistan’s livestock sector can tap into the USD 3 trillion global halal market by improving processing standards and certification .
- Agro-Tourism: Showcasing Kundi Farm’s breeding heritage and sustainable practices to attract visitors and investors.
Conclusion
Rohri’s Kundi Farm embodies Sindh’s agricultural potential and challenges. By adopting climate-smart breeding, methane-reducing technologies, and robust governance, the region can secure its position as a leader in sustainable livestock production. Collaborative efforts between farmers, researchers, and policymakers will be key to unlocking this future.
References:
.Post: Sayed Sajjad Hussain Musavi
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