I opened my eyes in the home of Hassan Khan, a strong man of Kakar Pashtoon/Afghan tribe of northeastern Baluchistan, province of Pakistan. My forefathers had been living in that habitat along with their precious livestock breeds in the rich grassland of the region (ancient Arya warsha). Our family still has flocks of sheep and goats, rearing in the agro-pastoral production system. I have built-in knowledge of indigenous livestock production and PhD-level modern expertise in animal agriculture. I had been working with the pastoral people for the last 12 years(2000 -2011) while motivating livestock keepers for their rights, access to grazing lands, benefit sharing of their animal genetic resources, and resource development of the pastoral people under the patronage of the society of animal, vet and environmental scientists (SAVES). I gave multiple training to the livestock keepers in remote for livestock breeds characterization and conservation, rangelands management, and other valuable techniques.
Research, Review and Development Work
Dr. Raziq Kakar has published many publications with a high repute on subjects as; camel milk production potential, camel milk composition, camel socioeconomic importance in agriculture & economy, camel breeds identification, camel domestication, native livestock breeds identification and documentation, traditional knowledge, breeding goals documentation, and ecosystem research.
Dr. Raziq Kakar has reviewed numerous scientific manuscripts of different international journals; camel milk production, camel lactation physiology, milk composition, livestock husbandry, livestock ecological impacts, traditional and ethnobotanical research, and socioeconomic roles of livestock.
Dr. Raziq has completed different projects regarding livestock documentation, characterization, and development work. I have completed about 5 projects on camel production and some others about the livestock potential in livelihood and ecosystem services.
International camel dairying consultant
Dr. Raziq Kakar provides consultation on the selection of the best dairy camels (milk and milking ability). Designing a camel farm for dairy keeping the camels’ requirements and welfare in view. Designing the required structures and facilities at the farm. Describe the milking process and the suitable milking parlor needed and the technology. Development of the SOPs and checklists for all the smooth operations at the farm. The feed requirements & feeding systems for all groups of camels. Suggesting breeding plans, the establishment of the elite dairy herd, and maintaining the best possible supply of milk. Herd health & welfare management, vaccination schedules, calf health and management, and the biosecurity establishment of the farm. Human resource training for the workforce involved in camel dairying to ensure safe and quality milk production. Identify the best location of the project considering land, water, climate, and availability of general facilities/utilities/roads and other infrastructure. Culling policy and culling rate for males and old animals to generate camel meat.
Community bio-cultural protocols
I am the pioneer and author of community bio-cultural protocols (BCP). I am also the author of the dry net report on the documentation of indigenous or traditional livestock breeds in the context of ecosystems and perspectives of the keepers. I had been walking with the Afghan nomads (Kochis) to work and document their indigenous knowledge of livestock husbandry. I had been working with the livestock and dairy development department of Baluchistan for extensive livestock production in the remote areas of the province.
Organizational Contribution
The author organized camel scientists and herders in Pakistan and founded the Camel Association of Pakistan (CAP). In Jan. 2010, we organized 3 days livestock keepers meeting under the patronage of SAVES and discussed the Bio-cultural protocol, and organized an organization with the name of Indigenous Livestock Breeders Association (ILBA) for the livestock keepers of the country. I presented many international research presentations on various occasions. I have visited many countries and research stations.
Author’s Global Impacts
Dr. Raziq Kakar is an active animal scientist and nature lover. He is part and parcel of the different activities related to his fields, i.e. research/academic, organizational, conservational, motivational, ideological, ecological, explorational, and climate change.
Desertnet international: Had been a member and now the steering committee of the Desertnet international. Desertnet International provides a platform for scientific discussions and exchange of ideas, fosters cutting-edge science, identifies topics and research areas, identify and documents the scientific state of the art of the main topics in desertification assessment, risk evaluation, mitigation, and restoration.
LIFE Network: Had been taking part in the activities of the LIFE Network international. The organization supports the livestock keepers who steward the world’s livestock treasures and agro-ecosystems. Recognizing the value and importance of local livestock breeds, in the context of Food Security and Biodiversity the LIFE Network is taking action to conserve breeds and to create livelihoods.
Camel4life international: Camel4Life international is an advocacy forum, promoting camel at all available platforms to give a proper place in the research, policy, and development. We are a think tank advocating camel at the global level. We have a website http://camle4all.info ,
ISOCARD: The International Society of Camelid Research and Development is a non-political, non-religious, and nonprofit federation of camelid scientists or similar scientific and professional associations. The author is a member and one-time member of the executive committee of the organization.
Specialties of Dr. Raziq Kakar
- Advocating camel for food and livelihood
- Daromedary camel dairying, turning from a beast of burden to a sustainable farm animal, and natural habitats of the camel
- Extensive livestock production systems
- Animal breeding & genetics under the community-based breeding management, biodiversity and climate change
- Traditional/Indigenous knowledge of livestock husbandry and agro-ecosystems, Ethnoveterinary medicine and sustainability
- Rangelands management, vegetation, and sustainable utilization
- Socioeconomic existence of pastoralism, small and medium farmers, and agro-ecofarmers
- Desert exploration, ethnoecology, and floral documentation
- Biocultural community protocol
