‘Ostrich farming’ has potential in Pakistan

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Waqar Bhatti
Ostriches in Pakistan are something of a rarity and they are not seen anywhere else except zoos. However, if one believes Raja Tahir Latif’s prediction, those days may not be far when restaurants in Pakistan offer delicacies made of ostrich meat.

Latif, CEO of Pakistan Ostrich Company (POC) expresses his hope in the light of commercial ostrich farming that is slowly garnering interest among farmers in SIndh who are taking keen interest in native African, feather-less bird, whose commercial farming as live stock in many countries of the world is generating a hugely profitable business.

“Coastal and desert-like conditions available in Sindh are ideal for Ostrich farming and it grows as if in its natural habitat. Ostrich farming as livestock is more profitable and lesser time-consuming business than cattle farming in Pakistan”, Latif told The News.

“Countries like South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Iran are earning huge revenue by commercial Ostrich farming and exporting its meat, eggs, egg shells and even its feathers. In an era of food shortage, Ostrich is an excellent source of providing cheap meat, especially in countries like Pakistan” he informed.

He says Ostriches are being kept in farms at farms near Karachi and Balochistan while in interior Sindh, there are many people who are farming Ostriches on commercial basis. “Currently, we are importing Ostrich chicks from Australia and providing them here to interested farmers. The weather conditions here are ideal for its production and we are getting very positive response from farmers” Raja Tahir says, adding that everyday businessmen are approaching them for starting Ostrich farming business.

“All an Ostrich needs is some space and green fodder, which is found abundance in Pakistan. As compared to cattle, it requires quite less fodder for growth. Ostrich is a very tough bird and has the strongest immune system as compared to other farming birds. Its growth rate is very high and it reaches 9-10 ft height and gains weight of 120-140 kg within 16-18 months” Raja Tahir informed.

Interestingly, Pakistan does not have any policy or rules and regulations regarding Ostrich farming as country’s livestock authorities are neither aware of economic potential of Ostrich farming nor they have any experts to guide interested farmers and businessmen or officials about its importance.

Wildlife or livestock?: One of the major issue in Ostrich farming in Pakistan is the status of the bird, which contrary to other countries of the world, is treated as wildlife specie instead of a livestock product.

“Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) insists that Ostrich is a wildlife bird instead of livestock. Although, in over 100 countries of the world, it is used for farming and is treated as livestock”, Raja Tahir informs adding that provincial livestock department do not have any policy regarding Ostrich farming.

He says there is an immediate need for revisiting the status of Ostrich and it must be treated as livestock, otherwise potential investors would continue to hesitate in this very important sector.

The other issue associated with Ostrich farming at this stage in Pakistan is high mortality among Ostrich chicks up to first four months, Raja Tahir informs but attributes it to lack of technical information regarding Ostrich farming in the country.

“Actually, Ostrich is nearly a mindless bird. In first four months in its life, it tries to eat everything it finds and owing which worsens the problem for its already complex digestive system. With a little care, we have managed to control the mortality and now it is negligible at our farms” he informed.

Halal food: Raja Tahir says Ostrich is purely a Halal bird and its meat and eggs are widely used in entire world, both by Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

He claimed that their company sent meat of Ostrich to some leading chefs to ascertain their opinion about its tastes and all of them not only liked it but also preferred it over beef and mutton.

According to him, fats and cholesterol are quite less in Ostrich meat as compare to beef or even chicken and added it was the main reason behind its preference by EU countries’ citizens.

Next two years crucial for Ostrich farming: Raja Tahir says year 2009 and 2010 are very crucial for Ostrich farming and claimed that those associated with this business would gain advantages after these two years owing to unprecedented growth in this type of farming in the entire livestock sector.

“All we need here in Pakistan is government patronage and support to farmers for Ostrich farming like Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=195462