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HomeGo To PakistanPakistan’s economic survey shows donkey boom. And China really needs them

Pakistan’s economic survey shows donkey boom. And China really needs them

The growth of Pakistan’s donkey population to 5.7 million represents a broader trend of the government prioritising agriculture and livestock to boost economy.

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Pakistan’s Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2021-22 released this week showed a significant rise in the number of donkeys, among other livestock. Pakistan has been prioritising agriculture and livestock to boost its economy, and donkeys form a big part of its exports to China.

So important is the animal that in 2021, Pakistan’s hit animated film The Donkey King was released in China. It is also important politically— while donkey numbers grew last year, the Imran Khan government faced stiff opposition in the National Assembly’s budget session, with political leaders shouting “Donkey raja ki sarkar nehi chalegi.”

According to the latest survey, Pakistan’s donkey population grew to 5.7 million in 2021-2022. This continues a trend of steady growth. In 2019-2020, there were 5.5 million donkeys, and in 2020-2021, there were 5.6 million. Pakistan now has the third-largest donkey population in the world.


Also read: Economic recovery under Imran Khan makes Pakistanis question his ouster


Donkey to money

The latest economic survey released by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail showed that Pakistan’s GDP grew faster than the target set by the previous Imran Khan government. The survey pegged the GDP growth at 5.97 per cent despite political turmoil in the country. Though this marked an important data point, the growth of the donkey population by 1 million each year shows how the debt-ridden country is turning to livestock exports. The number of sheep, buffalos and goats has increased too. The 2021-22 economic survey said, “The Government has renewed its focus on the livestock sector for economic growth, food security, and poverty alleviation in the country”.

Pakistan’s agriculture sector contributes 14 per cent of its GDP. The Express Tribune reported that “the agriculture sector posted growth of 4.4 per cent mainly due to 6.6 per cent growth in crops and 3.3 per cent growth in livestock”. More than 80 lakh rural families are engaged in livestock production in Pakistan. The focus on animals is bringing in money too. According to a Geo News report, “The gross value addition of livestock has increased from Rs 5,269 billion (2020-21) to Rs 5,441 billion (2021-22), showing an increase of 3.26%”.

Explaining policy interventions by the government to boost animal productivity, the survey explained that “the regulatory measures are aimed at enhancing per unit animal productivity by improving veterinary health coverage, husbandry practices, animal breeding practices, artificial insemination services, use of balanced ration for animal feeding, and controlling livestock diseases”.

The growth of the donkey population has also led to jokes and memes in the country. Journalist Hamid Mir, in a sarcastic remark, said, “Hopefully, donkey meat is not served in kebabs in Lahore”.


Also read: Imran Khan’s Pakistan has now turned to donkeys to boost friendship with China


China needs donkeys

A part of the donkey push is due to China’s love for the animal too — donkey hide and gelatin are valued highly in Chinese medicine. And according to Geo News, Chinese companies were ready to invest $3 billion in donkey farming in Pakistan.

The governments of both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa set up farms to specifically export donkeys to China.

China is said to be the largest breeder of donkeys in the world. Their biotechnology industry uses donkey hides as a critical ingredient to produce a traditional form of Chinese medicine called Ejiao. It is used to better blood circulation, treat anaemia and reproductive issues; however, its medical efficacy is unproven. The ‘all-weather’ friendship between Islamabad and Beijing is riding on donkey back too.

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