Smallholder dairy farms remain crucial to rural economy

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LAHORE: Fifteen years after the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (FAO) published its last 2010 report on dairy farming in 56 developing countries-including Pakistan-its basic search is relevant: Small holder, ‘Lou Tech’ dairy forms are unprecedented for rural poverty.

Today, Pakistan is one of the five global milk producing countries, with more than 65 million tonnes annually. Yet this volume is not on industrial scale, but from 15 million small holder dairy households, each average of ~ 2 cows or buffaloes. They are based in small-scale farmers-more rural areas-Pakistan’s milk economy is the backbone of the spinal cord.

The 2010 FAO report identifies one of the major insights: The cost of milk production on small fields in developing countries is significantly lower than that of larger, high -tech farms in industrial economies. This is true in 2025, perhaps even more, as global feed prices are rising rapidly.

In developed countries, industrial farms often manage more than 100 cows, relies heavily on maximum production of more expensive compound feeds and cereal -based diets. On the contrary, Pakistan’s small holder uses agricultural side products such as wheat and rice straw, corn poles and sugarcane peaks.

Beyond economic performance, these systems strengthen circular rural economies. The waste of the farm is reused, women play a central role in the maintenance of livestock, and the milk revenue maintains millions of rural families, which includes the model socially and economically.

Climate tremors, rising land costs, and competition against bio -fuel crops have increased global feed prices over the past decade. Nevertheless, small holder forms, which need milk per liter, are more flexible than their industrial counterparts than these shocks.

Nevertheless, these fields are not without challenges. As prices rise, even basic inputs such as fodder, basil cakes, and veterinary care strain are already a tough domestic budget. Cheap access to feed, livestock expansion services, and veterinary support is more important.

Despite their proven potential, small holder dairy farmers have limited policy attention. Milk collection is complicated by formal networks, credit, cold chain infrastructure and modern animal health care. About half of Pakistan has lost or damaged due to poor storage and transport facilities.

Compared to more than 20 liters of industrial systems, milk production is lagging behind global standards. With better animal care, balanced nutrition, and management of diseases, these products can be easily doubled, which increases the revenue of the farmer and the supply of national milk.

The end of the FAO since 2010 is more relevant than ever: Small holder dairy farm can prove to be powerful vehicles for rural economic development. With the help of goals-including farmers’ training, decentralized milk processing, and subsidy for feed and health care can become a viable micro enterprise in the rural areas of Pakistan.

In addition, when climate change restores agriculture, small holder dairy systems-which are linked to local feed sources, are more adaptable and sustainable than family wages and mega forms related to mixed farming.

In this era where industrial milk projects dominate the headlines, Pakistan should not ignore its original power: millions of modest but flexible dairy farmers who eat the nation. With the right support, these small holders can be the basis for national food security and rural prosperity – just as the FAO predicted 15 years ago.