Economic and policy constraints affecting the development of small scale dairy farmers in Pakistan

• Mr Sosheel Godfrey, Pakistan

Industry development in the smallholder dairy sector in Pakistan has been hampered by inadequate feeding and low milk yields, low milk prices and constraints on milk marketing and distribution, and institutional and regulatory issues at all levels of government. This small research activity has been designed to link with ACIAR project LPS/2005/132 'Improving dairy production in Pakistan through improved extension services' and address the technical issues that cause farm performance deficiencies in the smallholder sector. Its focus was to identify the economic constraints and government assistance measures that affect industry growth and farm performance improvements. It focused on some case study communities to show the benefits of improving farm management practices.

A considerable amount of time and effort was invested in scoping a policy project focused on the smallholder dairy sector. The aim of the project was to review the economic and policy constraints holding back industry development. A key aspect of the project was to examine how policy interventions had shaped the development of dairy industries in other countries. Australia and India were nominated as the candidates for this purpose.
For various reasons the project was unable to proceed. In developing the project some preliminary research was undertaken on policy interventions and industry development in Australia. Project members therefore summarised what was learned from that exercise as a prelude to any future project development.