Over the last 10 years from CPEC 1.0 (phase I) to CPEC 2.0 (phase II) diverse business avenues have been gaining traction between Chian and Pakistan. Consolidated on new fluxes of trade upward trajectories, China-patronized donkey industry is a new feather in the cap of Sino-Pak commercial journey, reports Gwadar Pro. It merits to mention that China remains one of the world’s largest markets for donkey meat and skins, driven largely by demand for e-jiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin made from donkey hides.

Interplay between donkey’s sizeable population along with fresh initiatives led by China to jack up donkey’s number in Pakistan besides rising demand of donkey in China has stirred up win-win business opportunity for both neighbouring countries. Last month, the China-Pakistan Donkey Industry Development Forum was held in Islamabad. Several agreements were signed, including a Letter of Intent between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and Sangyang Industrial; the company has already outlined plans to introduce a contract farming model for the development of the donkey industry in Pakistan.

According to the Donkey Sanctuary’s report “Under the Skin,” China’s demand for donkey skins is up to 10 million every year, while the reported global supply is limited to just 1.8 million. To procure more skins, Chinese companies are entering in Pakistan to fulfill their demand. With an estimated donkey population of 5.9 million, Pakistan sees China as a crucial market for donkey meat, which is utilized in various cuisines and for the production of donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), a traditional Chinese medicinal gelatin. Previous export efforts were hindered by delays in finalizing this protocol, which has now been completed.

Given the conducive situation China-led donkey farming is taking shape in Pakistan. Donkey contract farming (DCF) model backed by Chinese investment has a potential to turn DCF into income-generating resources. In order to step up efforts to develop donkey farming, a Chinese delegation, led by Zhao Fei, Vice President of China's Donkey Industry Branch, met with Pakistan's Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, in Islamabad to discuss the initiative.

The minister welcomed the delegation and highlighted the robust bilateral ties between Pakistan and China. “This initiative would contribute to boosting Pakistan's exports and strengthening trade ties with China along with creating new economic opportunities and employment at the local level,” the minister added. With an aim to export donkeys to earn foreign exchange, the Punjab government has set up a farm in Okara district for their breeding.

The farm is said to be the first government-owned facility in the province where donkeys of great breeds, including American, will be reared for their export to China and other countries. The donkey farm has also been set up at Bahadurnagar Farm which is spread over an area of 3,000 acres. The project has been conceived and implemented keeping in view the animal’s rising demand in China that uses its milk and skin to make cosmetic products and drugs.

Donkey meat and hides, if processed under hygienic and certified conditions, may provide Pakistan with a steady stream of exports to China. The sector may also generate employment in breeding, logistics, veterinary services, and processing, while fostering collaboration between Pakistani universities and Chinese research institutions on animal genetics, selective breeding, and feed efficiency. Last year, Pakistan signed a protocol with China for exporting donkey meat and hides to China.

The agreement was made between the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the General Administration of Customs. Besides donkey farming are in progress, Pakistan’s first donkey slaughter house has also been established in Gwadar North Free Zone by Chinese company Hengeng. Delegation briefed prime minister that Hengeng Trading Company is investing in agriculture, livestock, medicine and other sectors in Pakistan. The meeting was briefed donkey slaughterhouse constructed at a cost of $50 million will be operational soon and will increase Pakistan’s livestock sector’s annual exports to China by up to US$ 30 million.

Ministry for Maritime Affairs official said that donkeys being reared at many farm houses in various part of Punjab will be slaughtered at state of art Gwadar North Free Zone slaughterhouse. “Their meat and skin will be further processed keeping in view international standards and later be exported to China,” he added On query, he said that Gwadar North Free Zone Donkey slaughterhouse will lay down the foundation of advance slaughter technology in Pakistan to help secure the disease-free donkey meat with high quality preservation through the cold chain.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China