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Friday, 12 August 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Devin Jayasundera
Taking a leap, Fanam International, the only company to export livestock in Sri Lanka, will ship its second batch of goats to Maldives this week, which will be twice as large as its first consignment sent in September 2015.
Sri Lanka, which usually limits its exports to Maldives to fruits and vegetables, made the radical addition with five goats last year.
The latest consignment consists of 10 bucks of the ‘Jamnapari’ breed for breeding purposes, the company said.
The company forecasts that in the next few months as many as 50 breeding goats are expected to be shipped and in 2017 for the total number could increase to 200.
Jamnapari is a popular Indian breed known for its fast breeding rates and higher dairy production and bio mass. A breeding variety, each animal of the Jamnapari breed is approximately valued at $400 whilst non-breeding animals are worth $275.
The Maldivian market is dominated by Indian imports as a result of their long standing experience in animal husbandry and exporting of livestock. Fanam International Director Farhath Amith, a veteran in the agro-based export sector, initially realised this fact but believed that Sri Lanka could make an entrance into the market and create a new foreign exchange generating avenue.
“When I was in Maldives I wondered where these goats came from. They said they were all imported from India. It just struck me if India could do it there’s a possibility we could do it too.”
Amidst stiff Indian competition, Fanam International was able to secure its first tender last year, which was put up by the Maldivian Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture that called for a batch of breeding goats. Amith attributes this to the country’s strict regulatory framework maintained by the Department of Animal Production and Health in ensuring the quality and the health of the livestock.
In regard to the quarantine management of ready-to-export goats, Maldivian authorities have been deeply impressed, assessing it a level above India due to the stringent methods involved in testing samples and continuous inspection, Amit said.
India currently has 13 breeds of goats giving them a competitive edge in their ability to cater to diverse needs. Amit believes Sri Lanka should do more experimentation in breeding to compete in international markets. “You can’t always depend on Battu (the native popular variety) and Jamnapari. The Department of Animal production and Health should expand this area.”
Livestock export is a novel experience and has less control due to its natural vulnerabilities. “Exporting live goats is a very tough job. It’s not like manufacturing where you put the product in the warehouse and put it in the container and ship it,” said Amit. “Of all the livestock they (goats) are the most sensitive animals.”
Amit fears that entrance of other local companies to this market would reduce standards. “If one person is doing well then others will be also following, eventually killing the industry. My opinion is everybody should not come into this industry. This is happening in all sectors in Sri Lanka. Only those with a deep understanding and commitment of the industry should undertake entering the business.”
