Developing selection criteria for breeding heifers for Asian dairy production system with special emphasis to South Asia

Abstract

Dairy plays an important role in social and economic development in South Asia. Dairy development in these countries aims to alleviate poverty, hunger and provide livelihood support in terms of income and employment generation to the millions of landless and small holder dairy farmers. Milk production in South Asia has increased steadily over the last decade. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have realized the growth of 1.5%, 4.1%, 4.9% and 0.6%, respectively, in total national milk production from 1993 to 2003 (FAO statistics). Countries in South Asia are experiencing economic growth, population growth and a shift toward higher valued foods and livestock products. The above socio economical changes are expected to influence the per capita consumption of meat, milk and dairy production in this region (Dong, 2005). Consumption of milk and dairy products has been expanding dramatically with income growth, population growth, urbanization and dietary changes (Beghin, 2005 and Fuller et al 2005). Dong (2005) identified that income growth, population growth and urbanization changes explained about 60% or more of dairy consumption expansion in Asia. Three-fold increase in meat, milk and dairy product consumption is expected in South Asia from 1965 to 2030 (Jutzi, 2005).