Decline of cattle raising a major source of livelihoods in Batroon because of neglect

In its issue of today, As Safir daily highlighted the decline of cattle-raising in Batroon which has always constituted a pillar for the livelihoods of local inhabitants who relied for fodder on wheat, hay, corn, bran and leftovers from local orchards. According to the newspaper, every household in this northern coastal town used to have in the past one or two cows for milk (generating up nearly 10 liters per day) which was also used in agricultural for tillage and plowing. Presently the total number of cattle raisers is limited to 80 farmers caring for some 400 imported, hybridized and purebred livestock and only two local dairy cows. The newspaper pointed out that in order to increase their seasonal output over thirty years ago, Batroon farmers stated importing foreign-breed cows with high milk production yield, that were imported mostly from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark and the United States, and have given away their local breeds. Explaining the reasons behind the decline of the industry, As Safir went on to underscore the complete absence of government support and of proper agricultural extension services particularly in modern cattle-raising, while farmers continued to pursue the traditional methods in cattle-raising which have become inappropriate for the foreign breeds. Another reason for the decline, according to the newspaper, is that the youth of the region were no longer interested in the cattle raising business as it was looked down upon (presently young farmers make only 1% of total cow keepers). Other difficulties encountered include poor marketing channels, the monopoly of milk-processing businesses, in addition to the absence of supportive farming cooperatives. (As Safir, February 3, 2016)