150 بھیڑیں پالنے والے فارمر کا انٹرویو Interview with a farmer who raises 150 sheep

Interview with a Farmer Raising Sheep in Pakistan

Interviewer: Thank you for having us at your farm today. Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your life here?

Farmer: Assalam-o-Alaikum. My name is Abdul, and this is my family's land. We are livestock farmers. Our ancestors were also herders. This is not just a business; it is our tradition, our passion. We have a flock of sheep, a mix of breeds like the hardy Kajli and the beautiful Lohi. Our days start before sunrise, with the sound of bleating and the morning prayers. It is a simple life, but a fulfilling one, connected to the earth and these animals.

Interviewer: What does a typical day look like for you?

Farmer: The day begins early. The first task is to open the pens. The sheep are eager to get out. We check on the lambs first, ensuring they are healthy and feeding well. Then, we lead the flock to our grazing pastures. The shepherd, an old, trusted hand, guides them. He knows every inch of this land. While they graze on the natural vegetation, we are busy with other chores—cleaning the shed, checking the water troughs, and mending fences. The afternoons are for more focused work: vaccinating the sheep, treating any animals that are ill, and shearing the wool when the season is right. The evening brings the flock back, and we count each one as they enter the enclosure. It is a cycle, a rhythm dictated by the sun and the seasons.

Interviewer: What are the biggest challenges you face in this work?

Farmer: Ah, challenges are plenty. Water scarcity is a major issue. Sometimes the canal water does not come, and the tubewell electricity is expensive. Feed prices are always rising—wheat straw, maize, concentrates, it all adds up. Then there are diseases, like foot-and-mouth disease, which can devastate the flock if we are not vigilant. We rely on local veterinarians, but sometimes they are far away. The weather is becoming more unpredictable; the summer heat is harsh, and the winter cold can be deadly for newborn lambs. And of course, the market. The price for live animals and for wool can fluctuate so much. It is a constant struggle to ensure the business is profitable.

Interviewer: It sounds very demanding. What are the most rewarding parts?

Farmer: The rewards are in the small moments. The sight of healthy, fattened sheep ready for the market. The joy during Eid-ul-Adha when our animals are chosen for sacrifice; it is a great blessing. The income from selling lambs pays for our children's education, for our family's needs. There is a deep satisfaction in caring for life, in seeing the flock thrive under our care. The community respect is also important. We are known as reliable breeders. Sharing knowledge with other farmers, celebrating a good season together—this camaraderie is priceless. Making pure desi ghee from milk, the taste of fresh meat, the warmth of wool in winter—these are the true profits.

Interviewer: Looking to the future, what are your hopes for your farm?

Farmer: Insha'Allah, I hope to improve the genetics of my flock. I want to introduce better breeding rams to improve the meat yield and wool quality. I dream of having a proper storage facility for fodder like berseem and lucerne, so we are prepared for drought. Maybe even a small processing unit for the wool right here. But most of all, I hope my son sees a future in this. It is hard work, but it is honest work. It is our heritage. We want to see our pastoral way of life continue, modernize it with better technology and management, and pass on a thriving, sustainable farm to the next generation. This land, these animals, they are a trust, an amanat from Allah. We are merely their caretakers.