Dire realities for the livestock sector in Akkar in the absence of state intervention, theft of livestock and reduction of fields

Al Mustaqbal newspaper published a report about the difficult realities of the livestock sector in Akkar which is still suffering from serious challenges such as high cost of production and health care, limited markets amidst the absence of any support from state institutions.  In addition, and more recently the sector is suffering from a growing phenomena of stealing livestock and of cross border contraband.

According to Hussein Saleh, a cattle breeder and milk trader for the last forty years, the sector has been bled dry and needs urgent intervention in order to overcome the challenges caused by increased production cost namely through subsidizing animal feed, providing necessary vaccination at no cost and via regular vaccination campaigns.  He noted that there are no government vaccination centers in the area and he called on the latter to give due attention to this vital agricultural resource through protecting livestock and more specifically the indigenous lineage.  Saleh added that despite the fact that milk production in Akkar is estimated at about 30 to 35 thousand ton per year, however, current marketing methods are unfavorable to farmers who are forced to rely on direct traders or on retail middlemen who are able to control prices.

Shafeeq Yaghi, another cattle breeder and milk trader, noted that climatic changes, the reduction of green fields and lack of incentives for planting animal feed all have a negative impact on animal growth and their average fertility.  Ahmad Darweesh from Qab3eet highlighted another problem namely the paucity of dairy production factories in Akkar which force livestock breeders to resort to larger factories which impose prices that are lower than production costs. The report concluded by pointing out to the emergence of a new trend namely the theft of cows and sheep and their smuggling across the border.  According to the sources of the article, this requires a tight security plan to protect people and their livelihoods, and the setting up of serious border controls to halt the smuggling of livestock, milk and dairy products.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal 23 April 2014