+92-42-35915346-47 | 0800-75332 (PLDDB)
info@plddb.pk
Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm

Genetic Improvement Center

Home/Genetic Improvement Center

Genetic Improvement Center, Khizerabad (GIC)

PLDDB has established a Genetic Improvement Center at Khizerabad Livestock Farm for the conservation and growth of Sahiwal cattle and Neeli Rave buffalo. PLDDB intended to run the Semen Production Unit as per the international standards with the collaboration of private sector. For the same, ICI Pakistan submitted the unsolicited proposal last year as per Public Private Partnership Act for further proceedings and the proposal was discussed at length in the 31st steering committee meeting of public private partnership cell of Planning & Development Department, Government of Punjab on 28th September 2017. To make the GIC operational, ICI has joined hands with international renowned semen production firm “Cogent UK” which will bring latest breed development technology in Pakistan.  

Need of Genetic Improvement of Animals

With low expenditure on livestock sector coupled with no or very little access to the technology, Pakistan is in dire need of investment in this sector. Quality bovine semen from reliable indigenous breeds selected through genomic studies can play a vital role to meet the persistently increasing demand of milk and meat.

  • Punjab holds 55% of bovine livestock population, which primarily consist of Sahiwal, Cholistani Cows and Nili Ravi Buffalo.
  • Significant demand-supply gap prevails in market for quality semen of indigenous breed from reliable source with traceability.
  • Market potential for Artificial Insemination (AI) and other reproductive biotechnologies is the key driver for entry in to the segment.
  • Government of Punjab’s (GoPb) strong desire and drive to improve the breed and economic well-being of farmers.
  • Growing population, massive urbanization, and an increase in per capita income and export opportunities indicate a promising future of artificial insemination in the country.
  • Post implementation of Punjab Livestock Breeding Act 2014, sustainability threats to SPUs being operated by small breeders.
  • Closure of 23 private SPUs in 2014 causing a dip in straws production by 2 million per annum.
  • At present, local semen production is unable to fulfil the local demand and therefore the farmers either use conventional techniques or opt the imported semen for artificial insemination resulting in the production of weaker local hybrid breeds. Such hybrid breeds are not suitable for our country’s climatic conditions and may lead to spreading of various diseases as well. So it is highly recommended to promote the use of high quality local semen to safeguard our very own low maintenance and high efficiency local breeds like Sahiwali, Nili and Cholistani.

Why ICI and PLDDB joint venture

  • Revival of an abandoned project and a lost investment into a state of the art SPU facility without any financial burden on public funds.
  • Agency expected to earn an IRR of 14.5% and NPV of PKR 274.3 million from a lost investment.
  • A recurring income generation source for Agency in the form of lease rentals and hand back of rehabilitated and maintained project assets at the end of Concession Period. The table below presents aggregated free cash flows attributable to Agency over the Concession Period:

Potential economic benefits from Project

An outline of some of the economic and financial benefits anticipated from the Project under a PPP mode is given as follows:

International Precedent

  • International precedent has shown that the benefits of PPP over traditional procurement can include:
    • Improved level of performance in the delivery of services/products;
    • Improved consistency of performance;
    • A more appropriate management of risks;
    • Economies of scale

As well as the acknowledged benefits of PPP project outlined above, there are a range specific benefits to the local economy which should be considered, including:

  • Substitution of imported or low quality local semen with locally produced alternate high quality semen.
  • Generation of additional taxes estimated at PKR 2.5 billion for the national ex-chequer over the Concession Period.
  • Creation of new jobs in the local market. It is estimated that over 100 jobs shall be created directly as a result of this project, while indirect job creation in construction, livestock and transportation industry is also anticipated, quantification of which is not possible at this stage.
  • The successful delivery of this project will attract further investment from local and international investors into the country for future projects.
  • Assuming the demand and pipeline of projects is there, Punjab Government will develop into a recognized PPP expert attracting both investment and skilled labor into the country.
  • The multiplier effect on the economy generated by the project in terms of construction, chain reaction in allied industries, generation of taxes and levies, etc.
  • Technical collaboration with foreign partners such as Cogent Breeding UK (a company supplying artificial semen to over 40 countries worldwide), would help in the capacity building of our local teams and can bring international level expertise to the local market.
  • Project shall bring new employment opportunities for local manpower.
  • Training and capacity building of AIT’s and education of farmers.
  • More efficient and enhanced predictability of artificial insemination results thus protecting and evolving local breed.
  • Better insemination and breeding expected to lead to improvement in milk yields and meat production.
  • Financial empowerment of farmers through public awareness programs including education on farm management practices and animal food and nutrition, particularly targeting small farmers.
  • Punjab’s annual requirement of semen doses is 8 million, whereas only 2 million doses are being produced and there exists a deficiency of 75%. Production of one million doses by CEDSEB will facilitate in reducing the deficiency to 63%.
  • As a result of increase in cattle strength by 0.12 Million annually, the milk production will increase by 278.5 Million liter valuing Rs. 11.14 billion.
  • Since the male calves will be taking birth equal in number each year, hence beef production will increase by 0. 024 Million tons valuing over Rs. 4.8 billion.
  • Sale of hides will generate income to the tune of Rs. 0.24 billion annually.
  • Calving interval will be reduced from 36 months to 24 months resulting into an additional lactation & additional calf in life time.

Genetic Improvement Center as Training Center

ICI has approached a world leading semen production company Cogent UK to work on GIC which is supposed to bring the latest breed development technology in Pakistan. So Genetic Improvement Center will also be a training center for the professionals working in the same field.