Deeds not Words
By Dr Zafar Altaf

THERE was so much fanfare. The President was brought into the whole affair. The announcements and pronouncements came loud and clear.

There was much celebration someone in the Government told them that Pakistan was the fifth largest producer of milk some one corrected the lords by saying that no Pakistan was the third largest.

As if they were or are responsible for whatever quantity of milk that was being produced. It was good story and it added flavour to the already flavoured economy. Like their masters money was indicated as to what was to be done.

Consultant was appointed and a hefty sum of money was placed at his disposal as his salary and that too in foreign exchange. There was no one in the country that could do the job. Some one asked a few questions and the replies were silly.

How dare some one question the mighty? They had spoken. The project went to the Industries Ministry and another one went to the agriculture. Fine. They went to great length.

Started recruitment to the post and some went to some while others could not be filled. Everyone wanted to be Project Director whether they were aware of the number of teats that were with the animals.

They only wanted it milked and the idea was that if they could milk the country why they could not milk the large ruminants whether they were aware of facts or not. This was some moths ago. The rounds of negotiations were made and eventually bright young men were being sought.

Cosmetics became more important than substance and they finally found one, tie and suit all rolled into one. The effort was too strong.

There were two such projects and the information that is contained in the surrenders list indicates that the ministries concerned had surrendered 6.5 crores of rupees from the milk collection and dairy development project and another Rs 6.5 crores of rupees under the livestock production and meat production project.

Now come on if you were so red hot why these surrenders. Another 4.5 crores of rupees have been surrendered from the project special strengthening of SPS [sanitary and Phyto-sanitary] requirements under WTO.

Worse was to follow for they had promised to bring rain from the heavens and failing to do those that use the existing water more comprehensively with trickle irrigation project in the four provinces. Well the project surrendered 4 crores of rupees.

Were these paper allocations or were these real allocations one does not know. Next year the allocation for the Ministry stands at 12 billion rupees; a feather in the cap for the policy makers who carry the Midas touch-convert everything that they touch in to gold.

The team that is going to carry these projects does not exist. It has to be created and who shall be the Project Director. Look for white skin consultants. Look for expatriates as the second best. Waste the tax payer’s money.

Then they had consultants for agri-business as some told them that Pakistan could export high value crops-fruits skin and all. Pakistan’s current share is 0.03% in that trade. Shout they will and shout they did. Well they got a firm from the foreign shores to there consultancy and one of the international agencies provided the loan for that.

When I looked at the report I was disgusted for it was a cut and paste report and did not reflect the exact position. It was converted into a project and duly money was provided by the international agency. The good news is that they have also surrendered 10 crores of rupees.

The paraphernalia is in position, the staff has been appointed so why surrender. Is the staff incompetent? Were they the best available in the market. One wonders. Is the Ministry playing poker? Is public money to be spent by keeping it close to the chest? All this was by way of digression.

Comeback to the livestock sector. The sector is meant to provide for the rich and the powerful. Having failed in the corporate agriculture sector the ‘azdahas’ [dragons] are now looking for ways and means for doing the needful for themselves while the payment for the loans will be a burden for the rest of the economy.

The market for the products does not exist and by the way let them get these animals and let them rum a herd of 100 animals per ranch and then we will see how long they will last.

The two best in this field were Babar Ali and former Minister Abida Hussain. They were and are animal lovers and left no stone unturned to start livestock project. They do not have any animals left.

Does the Ministry understand the concept of public good or has neo liberalism eaten in to public good. Do as you feel like and then blame it on some one; corrupt practices by the past politicians.

At least Babar Ali and Abida Hussain I rate as first rate and able persons in their respective fields and capable of working very well in the sector. There were specialists drawn from the country and from international sources to run the farms along scientific lines.

My contention is that if they could not do it ordinary mortals cannot. I am also willing to bet with these individuals as to the state of working of the sector where animals are concerned. The ministry has to ask itself some ordinary questions and then respond to them honestly. The problem is that they are incapable of doing so.

The questions are: 1. What are we doing and why does it matter? 2. How is the government to respond to the dynamic livestock sector/3. Was the government really necessary for intervention or was the sector doing well without them?4. Is it necessary to intervene in research and if so who in Pakistan will do it?

I can take a bet with you that it will not be possible for the various factions in the Government to take action on any of the above questions. The Government has been touting this through the millennium development goals.

These are eight development goals and although we are very good at fudging and telling tall tales the reality is going to be very different. With milk and meat prices set to increase how will the price impact on the consumers already wilting under inflationary tendencies?

The price distortions are set to increase and there will be some rationalization by the powers that be. Put everything aside how will the new interventions defend the biodiversity that future generations require in the livestock sector. What is to be done? Simple.

Believe in your people rather than expatriates and allow them elbow space to work. Long term work is required. No geriatrics please. Young are required to play their role.●

© 2006 Dr Zafar Altaf