“Turkmenmallary” the Join-stock companies association of at the Research Institute of the Livestock breeding and veterinary science.

The First National report

About the state of the farming animals genetic

resources in Turkmenistan

Ashgabat - 2004 2

“Turkmenmallary” the Join-stock companies association of Turkmenistan The Research Institute of the Livestock breeding and veterinary science

The National Consult Committee on the animals genetic resources (FAO)

«Approved» First president of the association «Turkmenmallary» ______I.S.Meredov

The First Report

About the state of the farming animals genetic resources in Turkmenistan - 2004 3

The First National report about the state of the farming animal’s genetic resources in Turkmenistan was prepared by:

1. O. Annageldiev – the science secretary, head of department in the Research Institute of Livestock breeding and veterinary science, Agricultural Sciences Candidate, National coordinator of FAO project; Chapters No2,3,5 2. O.Annamukhammedov, the chief-specialist in Association “Turkmenmallary”, Agricultural Sciences Doctor, NKK member; Introduction, Chapters No 1,4, proposals, general edition of the Russian text. 3. In preparation of some materials also took part scientific workers of the Research Institute of Livestock breeding and veterinary science, NKK members: O.Artykov, Agricultural Sciences Candidate (caraculs breeding), A.Cherkezov, H.Nurgeldiev, Agricultural Sciences Candidates (livestock breeding), G.Saparov, Agricultural Sciences Candidate (camel breeding), J.Aitmammedov (poultry breeding).

The Report was approved by Association “Turkmenmallary” and the Research Institute of Livestock breeding and veterinary science. 4

CONTENT

Introduction p. 5

1. Country introduction p. 6 2. Production systems p. 11

3. Animals genetic diversity p.13

4. The use of the agricultural animals p.30 genetic resources (AGR)

5. The stock-breeding business development in the livestock branch and AGR use p.36

6. The traditional methods of the AGR use p.41

7. The state and the prospective of the AGR management p.42

8. The generalization and proposal p.45

9. International collaboration on the AGR p.49 maintaining and use

5

Introduction

Animal’s genetic resources are valuable country treasure and their purposeful use is important reserve for the food steady raising. Turkmenistan is rich in these resources: caraculs and saraja sheep, camels of Arvana specie, local cattle and poultry populations, Akhal- and Yomood horses. The above is incomplete list of genetic resources created by local selectionists having great value as well for Turkmenistan as for the world community. In the First Report there was made an attempt to analyze the country’s AGR state, species diversity, level of use and opportunities for their preservation and development. There are given proposals for regional and international bridging.

In the Report there were reflected high livestock breeding development rates during the Independence years, main factors of this growth such as tax exemption, deliverance from the state order on livestock production and limitation on the cattle heads quantity in private farms and the other measures realized under the President of Turkmenistan initiative. Great attention was paid to the livestock breeding and AGR growth in according to the National Social and Economic development Program on the period till 2020 by President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Turkmenbashi.

The Report was prepared on the base of materials worked out by Research Institute of the Livestock breeding and veterinary science taking into account the experience of the branch conduct on farms with the different managing systems and also published data about livestock breeding. In the Report there were shown the branch development priorities, the AGR use and possible ways to engage in the world gene pool for perfection of species and animals populations.

On the Report base there will be worked out the selection programs for the livestock breeding development, creating the pedigree cattle herds’ selection service taking into account the new conditions of the livestock breeding management.

There will be paid great attention to detection, preservation and use in selection work of the vanishing aborigine beasts and birds populations and their locating on the farm at the Research Institute of Livestock breeding and veterinary science. 6

1. Country introduction 1.1. General information about Turkmenistan and its agricultural sector

National Emblem of Turkmenistan and National flag of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is Independent (since 27 of October 1991) and neutral (since 12-th of December 1995 under UN General Assembly decision) Central Asian country. On South-West it is contiguous with Islamic Republic of , on the South with Afghanistan, on the North-East with , on the North-west with . There are mountains on the country territory such as Kopet-Dag, Balkan-Dag and Koyten –Dag, big territory occupied with Kara-Kum desert (38 million ha), Turkmenistan is sharing 24% of the Caspian water surface. Territory of Turkmenistan is 49 million hectares from which the plough-land is 1, 8 hectares (land able to till is 13 million hectares), the desert is 38 million hectares, and mountains are 2 million hectares. Climate in Turkmenistan is harshly continental, summer temperatures are 30- 47°C at maximum 45-48°C at daytime, in the winter the temperatures at the average 0.2-2°C the minimum may reach -20°C and lower. The atmospheric precipitates have place in spring months; the summer is mainly drought season. Precipitation average is 150 mm including mountain zone -154-315 mm and Central Kara-Kum -80-120 mm.

Agricultural crops are cultivated basically on watering. During Independence years Turkmenistan on its account constructed railroad Tedjen-Serakhs (Iran) _____ km. there is continuing the railway and highway construction (575 km) Ashgabat- Dashoguz.in rapid pace there are created local industry; Turkmenbashi an Seyidi oil refinery plants were reconstructed and there are produced all sorts of petrol, engine oils, polypropylene etc.; in Gazachak (Lebap district) there was established the technology of the liquefied gas production. 7

In Turkmenistan carried out the big work on creation own textile industry, there were built and now work more than 100 textile plants ( before 1991 there was only 1) including such giants like Ashgabat Textile complex whose products (jeans fabric) mainly exported into European countries and USA. The National Program of the Country Social and Economic reorganization by President Saparmurat Turkmenbashy pays the great attention to agrarian sector development. At short time there was solved the problem of the own grain supply, in 2004 the wheat production was 2, 8 million ton of food grain at the real need of 1 million ton (against figure 1990 of 70-75 thousand ton). The lands under grain cultures (in first turn wheat) lay inside 750-850 thousand hectares. Climatic conditions of Turkmenistan allow to crop most valuable fine-fiber (1 type) and medium-fiber (IV type) cotton. Their square is reached up to 650 thousand hectares. There are used mainly own sorts. In Turkmenistan there is carried out big hydro technical construction. Kara- Kum River (channel) with length of 1100 km is crossing the whole country territory from Amu-Darya River to etrap in Balkan district in open regime (1100 km) and to on pipeline. Kara-Kum River provides with fresh and flushing water Mary, Akhal and Balkan regions. Along the river-bed there were built numerous ponds. Nowadays in the center of Kara- Kum desert there is built the Turkmen Lake with volume of 144 cubic km where will be collected all drainage water from the hole country territory through collectors with length of 880 km. The country is divided on 5 velayats (regions): Akhal, Balkan, Lebap, Mary and Dashoguz. On the climatic conditions the most inclement is northern Dashoguz velayat where the winter starts some earlier (in November); winters are often cold (minus 15 degrees C). The summer is comparatively fresh and short, the 8 spring starts later. Due to these peculiarities the sowing terms for agricultural crops are s shifted. The country population on data 2004 is 6, 4 million; early growth is at the level 3-4%. Proportion of rural population is 54% against 46% of urban population. This ratio is remained during last 40 years. Population national content is: Turkmen - 92%, Russians - 5%, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Azerbaijani, and Armenians - 3% In Social Program by President the important highlight given to the improvement of the peoples life conditions. There were provided natural gas, power, salt, water, “symbolic” municipal service tariffs, low prices for petrol, public conveyances. In the country there is Turkmen agricultural Institute, 4 Research Institutes of agricultural course including Institute of livestock breeding and veterinary science. In problem AGR preservation and use there was engaged Institute of livestock breeding and veterinary science, Turkmen agricultural University named after S.A. Niyazov. Agricultural sector management has branch character. There were created State Associations such as “Turkmengallaonumlery” responsible for grain cropping development, “Turkmenmallary” responsible for livestock problems, “Turkmenatlary” responsible for horses breeding, State Concern “Turkmenpagta” is responsible for cotton- growing development, Association “Turkmenobakhizmat” – technical supply of agricultural sector, “Turkmenazyksenagat” – agricultural food production processing and Concern “Turkmendokunhimia” – development of agro-chemical industry and Agricultural Ministry – Scientific Consulting Center. Moreover the most products are not under state order except food wheat, cotton, rice and sugar-beet and have been realized on market prices. An appropriate Associations and organizations deal with tenantries, purchase products on fixed prices and 50% expenses (service, fertilizers, seeds etc.) pays the government, moreover tenantry gain a bran from wheat, seeds (or heir after- processing products). The tenant free of charge uses water, lands and pastures, bank credit benefits (2%) In agricultural sector there are farmers associations, state farms, farmers having their own cattle, rented (or owned) land, and tenants renting lands, cattle of farmers associations. At the beginning of 2004 there were 587 farmers associations, 10000 tenants in livestock breeding sector. The best results are gained with tenentry in livestock breeding. The tenant maintained sheep dams obtains 50% of breed, from cows 60% of breed and all milk yield, 30% camel’s breed, 70% grown chickens. This provides the safe keeping and breeding growth. There were cancelled all taxes and limitations on the cattle quantity in private farms.

9

Table 1. The agricultural products Value indices in Turkmenistan Products value on sectors 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 Gross production of 1349,2 2771,3 4618,14 6543,5 7871,0 12661 agricultural sector, billions mantas Including livestock breeding 556,8 1400,0 2360,3 3402,6 4756,4 8076 From there Sheep breeding 114,8 305,8 438,7 407,0 1323,0 - % from livestock 21 22 19 21 27 - In agricultural sector: 41,3 56,6 51,1 52,0 60,4 63,7 Livestock breeding Cotton-growing 30 22 15 20 13 - Grain growing 8 11 14 11 9 -

The livestock breeding is one of leading branches of agricultural sector, its weight in the country gross agricultural production in 2002 was 63,7%. The people’s demand in meat, milk and eggs is provided mainly with own production. During the Independent years there was achieved the drastic growth of livestock breeding and volume of production (Table 2). From the quoted data it is evident that the cattle number grew on 237%, sheep and – on 240%, camels – on 142% and poultry – on 174%. At that the growth mainly happened due to private sector which weight in 2003 was 93% in cattle breeding, 81% in sheep and goats, 72,4% in camels and 98,6% in poultry. The conditions given by the Government provide tendency for cattle livestock growth.

Table 2. Livestock and poultry number (thousand heads))

Cattle and poultry Number upon the years kinds 1990 1995 2002 2003 рост за 1990-2003,% Cattle 829,0 1199,6 1890,1 1969,9 2,37 раза Small cattle 5481,1 6574,0 13320 13904,7 2,40 раза Camels 87,9 108,2 120,7 124,9 1,42 раза Poultry 7393,0 4991,2 8416,8 12907,3 1,74 раза

In according to the National social and economic development Program by the President of Turkmenistan till 2020 the cattle breeding number will reach 5 10 million heads, sheeps – 31,5 million heads, camels – 345 thousand heads, poultry – 40 million heads and also yearly will be grown 80 million broilers. Such a growth will demand of the pastures improving and extend the forage lands, repeated sowing after main crops. For sheeps and camels here will be widely used halophyte fodder crops on the salted lands with drained water use that allows to gain from 1 hectare on 12-13 ton of dry mass that well eaten by sheeps and camels. The cattle and poultry number growth will provide he rise of livestock breeding production (Table 3).

Table 3 Livestock breeding production

Kinds of products Units Production upon years 1990 2002 2003 2003 к 1990 % Meat in alive weight Thousand ton 191,5 377,1 396,8 2,07 time Milk Thousand ton 458,0 1398,5 1528,9 3,33 time Eggs Mln units 300,0 506,0 625,1 2,08 time Wool Thousand ton 16,2 32,2 34,1 2,10 time

From the table 3 it is evident that during the independent years there were achieved notable shifts in gross production of cattle breeding and the people supply with meat and milk products and eggs was improved. If in 1990 there were produced 26,9 kg of meat, 123 kg of milk and 81 eggs per head then in 2003 in spite on notable population growth (in 1990 – 3,7 million, in 2004 6,4 million) these indices grew to correspondingly 32,6 kg, 238 kg and 97,6 eggs. On the period till 2020 accordingly with President Program the meat production will achieve 2450 thousand ton, milk – 8 million ton and 3 billion eggs. Per head ( there expected population growth to 13 million) there will be produced meat more than 100 kg, milk – more 250 kg and eggs – 230. This is notably more than the physiological norm is (on meat – 60 kg, on milk – 250 kg, eggs – 150), accepted in the country and those products will be exported. For the realization of the Cattle Breeding Development Program in Turkmenistan the important significance will be given to the preservation of existing animal genetic resources and the carrying out the measures to AGR development and improving. The existing genetic resources on karakul and saraja sheep species, akhalteke horse species allow to improve their pedigree and productive qualities on their own resources account. Genetic and productive herd diversities have the wide amplitude whose use can allow to improve species. They are unique and could be perfected in thoroughbred maintenance. AT the same time the cattle species need in the use of world genetic resources. Shwitz (shwitzzebu-looked) and red (mixes with local zebu-looked) 11 cattle is well adapted to the local climatic and forage conditions and relatively firm against blood-parasite diseases. At the same time the cows productivity potential (3-4 thousand kg of milk annual yield) does not satisfy the modern requirements. There is planned to preserve and improve red steppe species in thoroughbred maintenance on the base of best farms ( farmers associations named after M.Sopiev and association “Parakhat” in Akbugday region for shwitzzebu- looked cattle and in farmers association “Garadamak” in Akbugday region, Akhal district and “Altin Asir” in Serdarabad region in Lebap district on red steppe specie). In the herds of the Aassociations “Suytchilick” and “Vatan” (shwitzzebu-looked cattle) and separate farms from association “Altin Asir” it is intended to improve the cattle using the sperm of the best species bulls ( American shwitz and angler specie) keeping at that time the positive qualities of local populations. For the drastic improvement of the meat qualities of local cattle it is advisable to import from the USA the sperm of meat cattle of Santa Gertrude specie and cross-breed of bison with cattle (Texas). Such works could be carried out by Livestock research Institute and veterinary science under the program within the FAO bounds.

2. Production systems

At the beginning of 2004 in Turkmenistan there was number of sheeps and goats 13,9 million heads, cattle -1,97 million heads, camels – 125 thousand heads, horses -28,6 thousand heads and poultry -12,9 million heads. Nowadays the more than 94% of cattle, 81% of sheeps, 95% of goats, 72,4% of camels, 64.0% of horses and 98,6% of poultry are in private sector. The cattle located in agricultural farms (farmers associations) handed over sublet maintenance, i.e. in livestock breeding sector there are the production systems such as tenet relations. Farmers associations (former colkhozes) conclude the contract with shepherd’s teams. The tenant accordingly to the contract conditions gets the certain part of breed issue and products. All expenses on cattle maintenance bears the tenant. The farmers association apportions pastures (free of charge), watering vessels and farms, if it is necessary, helps with forage and cattle transportation, marketing the products. There was created the Association of joint-stock cattle breeding farms “Turkmenmallary” where are included cattle breeding farms. The Association provides zoo veterinary service, controls the livestock state in farms.

In the sheep breeding the livestock is divided on herds by sex-age groups. Depending on forage-pastures conditions in region each herd include from 600 12 to 900 heads of sheeps. Each herd is assigned to shepherds team of three men. Under the contract conditions the shepherds-tenants have to get from 100 dams up to 95 lambs and from firstly bearing dams up to 85 lambs. At the payment they get 50% of issue as tenancy pay i.e. there is natural payment here. The rest of issue (50%) is remained in farmers association. The shepherd’s team maintained saplings, sheep-producers, mature livestock get 15-20% from total number of maintained herd.

In cattle breeding on the tenancy condition tenants get watered lands for forage producing on the basis of 0,5 hectare on each cattle head. Tenants accordingly to the task must receive from 100 cows, 80 calves the milk on 2000 kg from each cow. Under the agreement conditions 60% of issue and all milk are remained for tenants.

In Camel breeding accordingly to the task tenants must get 45 young camels from 100 dams. Rent payment for shepherds is 30% from issued camel saplings. In the country there was achieved notable growth of the livestock production. In 2003 the meat production was 396,8 thousand ton in live mass (in slaughter weight 207,3 thousand ton), milk – 1528,9 thousand ton and 625,1 million eggs. In account per head this was: meat – 43,2 kg, milk 238 kg and 97,6 eggs. In livestock production the private sector part is: on meat -90,2%, on milk – 95,1%, on eggs – 93,1%. In meat balance the weight of beef in 2003 was 50%, mutton -45%, camels meat -3%, chicken meats and pork – 2%. On the markets there is not the food products deficit and prices are affordable for all population categories. The meat cost is 30-35 thousand manta per kg (1,26-1,40 USD), milk cost is 3-4 thousand manats per liter (14-18 cents) and eggs cost is 10-1 thousand manats per 10 units (40-50 cents). There was cancelled the state order on livestock products. The wool production in 2003 was 34,0 thousand ton (in physic mass). At the same time the private sector part is 81,3% and in state farms – 18,7%. &0% of produced wool is karakul, 25% is saraja specie ( white, semi- rough wool, carpet type) and the rest 5% of wool got from local black goats, merino sheeps, white woolen goats and camel’s.

Accordingly to the National Program by President of Turkmenistan on social and economic development till 2020 there is intended the growth of the sheeps livestock at the end of period up to 31,5 million of heads, die to this fact in 1992 the karakul lambs are not slaughtered and remained for growing. Now from the livestock breeding products the most important is meat, especially mutton. All food production (meat, milk, eggs)is used on internal market. From produced wool the exported points are kaakul, saraja, ’s and camel’s 13 wool and also felt and autumn wool of the saraja specie sheep. The spring wool of the saraja sheep is used for Turkmen national carpets manufacturing. During the independent years in Turkmenistan with reform process development there were happened notable changes in the AGR use and management (Table 4).

As it is seen from the Table 4 at the period since 1991 to 2004 there had a place notable growth of: the cattle livestock grew 2,57 times more, sheep and goats – on 2,5 times, camels – 1,4 times and poultry – 1,53 times.

Table 4 The livestock number and private sector weight upon the years (before the year beginning) Kinds of livestock Total, thousand heads Private sector weight, % 1991 2004 1991 2004 Cattle livestock 829 1900 56,3 94,0 Sheeps and goats 5477 14900 32,4 78,0 Camels 86,7 125 37,0 70,0 Pigs 267 32,4 10,0 72,2 Poultry 7393 13100 35,1 98,0

The second notable change on that period in the use and AGR management is that now most livestock part is located in private farms. As it is seen from the Table 4 on the period since 1991 to 2004 the cattle livestock in private sector increased on 37,7%, sheeps and goats – on 45,6%, camels- on 33,0%, pigs – on 62,2% and poultry – on 62,9%.

3. Genetic diversity

The knowledge level on genetic diversity The specialists working in agricultural livestock farms have higher education, they are mainly graduates of Turkmen agricultural University named after S.A.Niyazov. In the University they get full information and knowledge about AGR in country. There are also specialists of the secondary education familiar with AGR state. Between the farmers there also are agricultural specialists informed about AGR. But the most of farmers need in training on the issues concerning the 14 preservation and rational use of the agricultural animal’s gene pool. In the country there are collected the statistic data of the livestock state, livestock growth dynamics and animals productivity. This work is carried out by Statistic center – Institute “Turkmenmillikhasabat” at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. This data monthly and yearly are systemized and published and the Statistic issue by Institute “Turkmenmillikhasabat”. It is necessary to note that in statistic issues there are summarized data on the agricultural animals species and the species inventory is carried out one time in 10 years. In national farms there are bred small and big cattle, camels, poultry and pigs. Among them the dominant significance has a sheep breeding. The climatic and pasture conditions are favorable to this branch development. At the total territory of 49,0 million hectares 38,0 million hectares (78,8%) are desert Karakum pastures where all the year around sheeps and camels are maintained. Mainly they are sheeps of karakul specie (8,6 million of heads) and saraja specie (4,3 million of heads). The sheeps and goats livestock is 14,9 million of heads where the karakul specie weight is 58,0%, saraja specie -29,0%, local and woolen goats species (totally 1,9 million of heads) – 13,0%.

From the karakul sheep there are got karakul of black, grey color and hih quality sur having demand of the world market. Due to pasture-food conditions, selective and pedigree work by the scientists of Turkmen Research Intstitute of the Livestock breeding and veterinary science the Turkmen karakul has high qualitative indices: thin flesh with curls, mainly medium size, ribbed type, good hair silky and glitter. Inside the specie there were created five new karakul sheep types: “Uchaji” and “Ravninskiy” black jacket astrakhan type, “Tedjen” black jacket ribbed astrakhan, “Saraja” grey color and “Tallimarjan” sur color. Now scientists work for gene pool preservation in whole on karakul specie and its genealogic structure taking to account created types..

Saraja specie This sheep is fat-tail of meat-fat-wool productivity branch. It is notable for good development of meat-fat qualities – live mass of mature females is 55 kg and more that is higher on 20-22% than karakul sheep indices. That is why the government took a decree (05.08.1994) to breed sheep of this specie in all country velayats (regions) and create there pedigree reproducers. On the farms of region Akbugday in Akhal district there was established “Ashgabat” an intra-specie type of saraja sheep which exceeds meat-fat and wool specie indices on 25-30%. The Institute scientists studied the issues of its skin-hair cover formation, meat- sat and wool productivity, there was found the improved feeding influence. Now 15 there is work done on preservation and rational use of saraja sheep gene pool, increasing its prolificacy, meat-fat productivity.

Camels breeding is well harmonized with sheep breeding and its development does not hinder the small cattle growing. In country there are bred dromedaries of Arvana specie. They are used for getting meat and milk and as work animals. Their milkiness reaches 1,5-2 thousand kg a year with fat of 3,5-3,8% and more. The milk processing products such as chal, agaran etc. have medical significance at the gastritis, tuberculosis and other diseases. The camels number is 125 yhousand heads. Institute established the branch intensification methods – early (in 9-12 months age) saplings weaning (against usual term in 18 months). As a result of consecutive selective work the Institute workers created high- productive type of arvana specie camels in farmers association “Sakarchaga”, Mary velayat (district) with milky productiveness of 2500 kg a year, milk fatness 4,0%, dams live mass 500 kg and higher. On the future period there is intended livestock growth due to branch intensification elements application. In our country there are bred shwitzezebu-looked (23%), red steppe and fulvous Latvian (50-55%), black-motley(12%) and other cow species

Red steppe and shwitzezebu-looked cattle was created by Institute workers on the basis of local zebu-looked species through long use the bulls of red steppe, shwitz znd alatau species. This work started in 30-es (XX cent.). During this period there were created new species sharply differed from basic species. They assimilated positive qualities of local and imported cattle, became well adapted to climatic, natural – forage, epizootic country conditions and at full feeding they show high productivity (2000-2500 kg of milk with fat of 3,8-4,0%). There are created the cattle of meat species using the Cuban zebu and bulls of sharole specie (genotype zebu X shwitz X sharole) well adapted to local climate, epizootic and forage conditions of the country mountain regions (in Central and South-West , farmers association “Syvan”, Bakharden region, Akhal velayat).)

In the country there were not researched the molecular properties of AGR. Turkmenistan is rich with its animal genetic resources and carries out the certain work for their preservation Sheep breeding is the leading livestock branch where bred two planned species are: karakul and saraja. At the beginning of 2004 58% of the sheep livestock (8,6 million heads) are karakul and 29% (4,3 million heads) are saraja.

The karakul sheep specie is one of ancient species. It is bred in our country long time and related to long-hat-tailed. On its productivity it is milky- astrakhan. The tail looks like letter “S”. The main product is lamb skins – 16 karakul. Also from the karakul sheep meat, milk,wool etc. are got. About 70% of karakul livestock have black color, 20-25% - grey, 5-10% -sur. Natural prolificacy is 100-110 lambs from 100 females. In 1994 by the Turkmen Agricultural Institute ( now Turkmen Agricultural University) workers there was bred the multiple birth of intra-specie type of karakul sheep with the lambs output of 121-123 head from 100 females. Females live mass is 40-45 kg, sheeps-producers – 50-55 kg. Felt clip is 0,6-0,7 kg, females – 1,8-2 kg, males – 2,0-2,5 kg with length 8,0-15,0 cm. The wool is used for rough cloths and felt making. The meat got from the slaughter of discarded mature animals (males and females) and young sheeps of 8-9 and 18- 20 months age ( at the pre slaughter mass correspondingly 34-35 kg and 42-43 kg). Slaughter output is 46-48%. Milk is additional product obtained from the females whose lambs were slaughtered for karakul. The sheep’s lactation period is 120-130 days, fatness is 6-7%. Sheep’s milkiness is 120-140 kg

Karakul sheep gives skins of black, grey color and sur paint with different hues and coloration. Depending on the having on the skin square the curls of different forms and types the skins are divided on astrakhan types: semi circled curled (jacket), flat-curled, ribbed-curled with overgrown hair cover (Caucasus) and karakul looked. In the farms the weight of karakul sheeps is 29,8% (2,6 million heads), in private sector – 70,2% (6,1 million heads). Now because of necessity of solving the problem of increasing the mutton production and sheeps livestock growing to 31,5 million heads till 2020 since 1995-1996 there were not slaughtered lambs for karakul skin. Note that in 70-es the karakul production reached 1,2-1,3 million skins a year. In agricultural farms of system “Turkmenmallary” karakul sheeps are bred depending on color and astrakhan type. Now there are 5 pedigree farms and several enterprises on karakul breeding. Black karakul sheeps are bred in Lebap velayat (pedigree farm “Amiderya” named named after Great Turkmenbashi), Mary velayat (pedigree farm “Uchadji” and pedigree farm named after S.A.Niyazov, Bayram Ali region) and in Akhal velayat (pedigree farm named after S.A.Niyazov, Tedjen region) Grey elite karakul sheeps are bred in Mary velayat (pedigree farm “Saraja” and farm “Galaymor”, Serhetabad region). Elite karakul sheeps sur are bred in Lebap velayat (pedigree farm “Tallimardjan”,Great Turkmenbashi region). In these farms there is carried out the work on the karakul sheeps gene pool preservation through the thoroughbred selection method upon color and astrakhan types (scientists of Livestock Institute together with shepherds).

In private sector karakul sheep are concentrated as two productive systems: 1. Sheep owners with livestock of 50-100 heads. They together form the herds on 900-1000 heads. These herds are named “chekene” – private herd. Products got 17 from those sheep is used mainly for family internal needs (mutton) and wool is sold on price 2-4 thousand mantas per kg (9-10 US cents), 1 sheep skin is 30-35 thousand mantas (1,40-1,60 USD).

Farmers own on 1000-2000 heads. They organize their work independently to produce and sell production on internal market. They sell the meat on 30-35 thousand manta per kg (1,25-1,46 USD), well-fed sheeps are sold on 400-450 thousand manta per head (18,6-21,0) USD and hat mature sheeps are sold on 550-600 thousand manats per head (26-28USD). But the farmer’s success mostly depends on farmer’s qualification, their ability to apply all valuable and progressive collected in zootechnical science. In this regard it is require the farmers training on the karakul breeding form mutton and lamb meat production.

The saraja sheep specie bred by Turkmen people is unique consolidated fat- tailed specie in the CIS countries. It gives semi – rough heterogeneous white wool of carpet type with long downy zone. This specie sheep was bred through people selection method in Sough East Turkmenistan. Local fat-tailed sheep during the years had been improved through selection and wide use of sheep with better wool quality without dead hair and with more content of long down (thinnest wool fraction) Saraja sheep stably pass its high quality features to posterity. That is why this specie was recognized as “improver: for hat-tailed rough and semi-rough wooled sheep in the and Kazakhstan. At the direct participation of saraja specie there were bred tadjick meat-fat- woolen specie in Tadjikistan (1967), alay semi-rough woolen fat-tailed specie in (1981) karagala and aktube species and species group in Kazakhstan (1989). Saraja sheep was used for wool quality improving of local rough woolen and hybrid sheep in Uzbekista (Jaydara specie) and there was bred fat-tailed sheep array with high clip and good quality wool. They were used also in Tuva, Mountain Altai and Mongolia for local sheep improving. Since ancient times Turkmen people made most valuable carpets noted by their richness and color brightness, durability. Saraja sheep is precocious, in the desert and mountain pasture conditions, the daily lambs growth in first 15-20 days varies in 340-390 grams and average daily increase in weight since birth to slaughter is 200-250 grams. They have high meat-fat-woolen productivity and well adapted to the year around pasture maintenance under the Karakum desert conditions and Kopet Dag foothills. At flattering the lambs (in 4 months age) during 4 months (till8 months age) reach 44-45 kg, carcass meat mass is 18-19 kg, in tail fat mass is 4,0-4,5 kg. Ewes live mass is 50-55 kg, sheep-producers – 70-75 kg, the wool clip is correspondingly 2,5 – 3.0 kg and 3,5-4,0 kg. Semi rough wool consists of downy 18 fibers (80%) transitional fibers (17-17,5%) and barbed fibers (2,5-3,0%). The wool length is 18-20 cm at that downy zone length is 9-10 cm. Although sheep of this specie is unique on absolute meat-fat and wool output but on the prolificacy it has a medium position. Their biological potential is limited between 105-110 lambs on 100 ewes however in farm condition the output is 95-100 lambs and the practical output is lower i.e. 87-88 lambs. On last years because of transition period troubles the number of saraja sheep is decreased in farms where is concentrated most valuable livestock. If at the beginning of 1994 their number in farmers associations was 319 thousand heads then in 2004 it became in147-150 thousand heads. The President Decree about saraja specie development now carried out slowly. Though for 1994-2004 the general number of saraja sheep in all types farms increased by 2,5 times and reached 4,3 million heads but this growth was reached on account of private sector. Thanks to the President agrarian policy on the passing the public property for tenancy with the further privatization into private property the private sector has high temp of growth. At the beginning 0f 2004 in private sector there were concentrated 4,1 million heads of saraja sheep (95%). Thus the livestock of thoroughbred saraja sheep in this period in the agricultural farms- in state sector is approximately 200 thousand heads and has extremely limited propagation area and needs in the restoration of stock-breeding farms and the typical animals preservation. Although the saradja sheep livestock in the private sector reached 4,1 million head however they are not thoroughbred and are cross-breed of saradja rams and local Turkmen fat-tailed sheep with Karakul rams. Hence subsequently is necessary the training of farmers and private sheep owners on conducting of selective- stock-breeding work for the purpose of the preservation the saradja sheep gene pool and increase in their woolen and meat- fat productivity.

Trainings can be organized in the form of seminars with the participation of the leading scientists in this region. Secondly, the preservation of saraja sheep gene pool and an increase in their productivity in the private sector at the level of stock-breeding animals can be accomplished through providing of farmers for the sheep coupling with valuable ram- producers. However, such stock-breeding rams bred only in two pedigree farms (in farmers association named after M.Sopiyev and farm named after Bakhaly region, Akhal velayat)) in state sector, but private and commodity farms (not stock-breeding farms - just farmers associations) cannot buy them (the cost of 1 head of 15-16 monthly stock-breeding rams is 700 thousand manats i.e. 32-33 USD) and frequently they use less valuable ram- producers.

19

There are farmers with the livestock of more than 2 thousand heads of saradja sheep and having the desire to maintain thoroughbred sheep and to conduct with them selective work on improvement in the pedigree and productive qualities of the herd. The scientists render systematic aid to such farmers, on the organization of sheep selection, grading of saplings, linking the valuable producers to ewes etc. They buy valuable stock- breeding ram- producers bred on in pedigree farms of farmers associations. Saraja sheep in state sector are bred only in four regions ff Akhalvelayat: Akbugday, Rukhabat, Geokdepe and Bakharli. There are eight stock-breeding farms where leading are farm named after M.Sopyev, Akbugdayregion (livestock is 40 thousand heads, and farm named after Magtymguly, Bakharli region (10 thousand heads). They with the participation of Livestock breeding Institute conduct work on improvement of the pedigree and productive sheep’s qualities, breed the valuable stock-breeding rams (respectively on 1000 and 500 heads). In private sector production systems exist in the form of the private herds - “Chekene” and farms. “Chekene” owners maintain sheep for the purpose of their families providing with meat and fat, and fur and sheepskin they sell on the market. Farms breed these sheep for the purpose of obtaining the meat and fat products for the internal market, furthermore they fatten rams and adult animals (discarded ewes and rams). On the town market they realize 1 rams with the living mass of 44-46 kg on 500 thousand manats i.e. 23-24 USD and old-aged animals (with a living mass of 60-65 kg on 750-800 thousand manats i.e.37-38 USD. Slaughter output of rams is 50-52% (23-24 kg of meat and fat), adult sheep 53-55% (34-35 kg of meat and fat). The local people highly values meat and tail fat of saraja sheep. In future, obviously, there will be changed the ratio of the sheep species in the herd structure in favor of saraja. They are characterized by meat- tallow qualities development, throughout the mass they exceed Karakul sheep to 20-22%. Therefore government made the decision (5.08.1994 g) to separate the sheep of this species in all the country velayats (regions) with the coverage of more harvest pastures (southeastern Turkmenistan: Mary and Lebap velayats), after establishing in each region the stock-breeding re-producers. Depending on climatic and forage conditions, area relief in the country there were formed zones of priority goat breeding development. On the mountain pastures in Akhal and Balkan velayats the goat in their quantity occupy significant place. This is happened because they better use bigger viability under the mountain conditions (under the mountain conditions sheep they are ill with blood-parasites and pulmonary diseases).

The goat’s livestock at present is 1 mln.900 thousand heads of them where 94,8% or 1 mln.801 thousand heads is in the private sector and 5,2% or 99 thousand heads - in the state agricultural farms. In the country there are bred 2 20 species: the local rough woolen and Turkmen and Soviet woolen species which were created in 1962 on the crossing basis of local black goats with the producers of Angora specie, imported from the USA in 1937. The main goat livestock (95,8% or 1 mln.820 thousand heads) relates to the local rough wool specie. Local Turkmen goat is characterized by high adaptive quality to the unfavorable factors of existence, fortress of constitution, durable backbone, and higher mobility. The color in the majority of goats is black. They are encountered in small quantity (1-2%) and other colors are red and very rarely white. In the mountain zone for the number of years the mean body mass varied on the separate years in spring 38-41 kg and in autumn 39-45 kg. The meat output average is 45%. The period of the goats milking under the conditions of our country directly depends on the state of pasture vegetation and usually is 60-80 days (March, April I half of May of months). The average milk yield from one goat, with the nursing nourishment of kids in 80 days is 44-49 kg. The Turkmen goats milk is not characterized by high fattiness. It is 2,5-3,7%. The Turkmen goats fur is assembled into sufficiently long rough straight scythes, where barb fibers(roughest part of the fur) it considerably overgrows the down (very fine fibers). Average wool clip in low-lying and mountain regions is not more than 0,5 kg. The wool consists of 2 sharply differing elements: rough- long awn and the thin shorter coiled down. The down in wool of adult local goats is in average 20,2%, and awns -79,8%, their productivity is sufficiently great and s equal to 110-115 lambs on 100 wombs. The twins output varies from 7% to 26%.

Soviet woolen goats are bred mainly for obtaining Angora type wool. Earlier in the country only local black goats were bred. In 1937 into the basic goat- breeding regions (Geokdepe, Bakharli, Akhal velayat and regions named after Magtymguly and , Balkan velayat) were imported the sawhorses- producers of Angora specie from the USA. They were used for the crossing with the local goats before obtaining of cross-breeds II and III of generations with the subsequent selection of desirable animals type. In 1962 was legalized the creation of new united specie in the territory of Central Asia and Kazakhstan with the common name “Soviet woolen goats specie” (as well in our country as, in these republics the creation of new specie was carried out through united procedure).

On the wool quality the Soviet woolen specie considerably exceeds local goats. An average wool clip grew by 60-65% and was 1,0-1,2 kg. Instead rough wool there were started obtaining the homogenous white wool with the best technological properties - Angora type. The goat - producers body mass on the average is 55-58 kg , goat-wombs - 35-37 kg, the wool clip respectively of 2,7- 3,0 kg and 1,7-1,8 kg. The woolen goats have not high milk-producing capacity 21 and their milk almost completely is used for the young animals’ nutrition. The wool consists of the downy fibers on 50-54%, of transitional fibers on 43-49% and of barb fibers on2-3%. The research work on an improvement in the stock- breeding and productive qualities of woolen goats was conducted Turkmen livestock breeding and veterinary Institute in Farmers Association named after Magtymguly, Bakharli region in 1972-1992 in cooperation with farm specialists and shepherds. As a result of the aimed selection stock-breeding work within this period the goats wool clip was increased from 1,1-1,2 to 1,7-1,8 kg, there was improved the wool quality according to the technological property and was created the stock-breeding goats herd with elite and first-class animal in a quantity of 7 thousand heads (where 50% are wombs).

Nowadays the selective- stock-breeding work in the goat breeding is not conducted, as a result there is a species mixing occurred and the probability of the loss of thoroughbred woolen and valuable local Turkmen goats rises. Production system in the agricultural enterprises exists in the form of goat- breeding farms in farmers associations. There work is organized on the lease relation between the shepherd brigades and the farmers associations. However, goat-breeding farms are organized only in the regions which have mountain pastures. ( Akhal velayat, Bakharli region, Balkan velayat, Serdar region, region named after Magtymguly, in Lebap velayat – Koytendag region). At the farmers associations are bred only Soviet woolen goats (in each flock on 600-650 heads), and local goats are maintained in the sheep herds, on 70-90 heads.

In private sector there are private herds - “chekene” with the goats livestock of 800-900 head. They are maintained for the satisfaction of the family needs in meat (goats meat) and milk, obtaining young animals. Among the people goats meat is valued as the dietetic, easily adopted low-fat meat. Special preference is given to the meat of young animals - kidskin at the age of 6-8 months. Their pre- slaughter mass after the appropriate feeding (since 4 to8 months age) reaches in woolen goats 20-21 kg, local goats 25-28 kg, respectively mass flourishes 9,5 and 12,5 kg, the mass of the fat (internal and paranephric) of 0,4-0,5 kg and 0,8- 0,9 kg, the meat output respectively is 46 and 48%.

Farmы breeding only goats are encountered rarely, they in essence maintain flocks together the sheep and goats. Goat wool (local and Angora type) is realized through the commercial structures for the external market. The local goats wool realized on 25 thousand manats(1,0-1,6 USD), 1 kg of Angora type wool on 30 thousand manats (1,40 USD).

Fine-woolen sheep. At present in the country there are counted more than 30 Thousand heads of thoroughbred and mixed fine-woolen sheep, where approximately 4-5 thousand heads are in the private sector. They are bred in the 22 mountain regions (central and southwestern Kopet Dagh) : in farmers associations “ Sayvan”, “Enish”, “Nokhur” of Bakharli region (Akhal velayat), in one farm of Serdar region (Gyzylarbat), “Victory”, “Zekhmet” and farm named after Magtymguly of Magtymguly region (Balkan velayat). The greatest quantity of fine-woolen sheep is concentrated (on 5-6 thousand head) in farmers association. ”Sayvan” (species Soviet merino and Groznyy) in Bakharli region and in farmers association “Victory” (Caucasian and Groznyy species)in Magtymguly region.

Foothill zone is characterized by the specificity of natural conditions. Under the mountain conditions of the region the breeding the sheep of Karakul and saradja species is connected with the great difficulties, since they are strongly subjected by blood parasites diseases which cause mass death cases. For the purpose of the more effective use of mountain pastures and also raising of the farms economy in 1956 there were imported the sheep of fine-woolen species the Caucasian, Kirghiz, Stavropol, Groznyy and Soviet merinos (from the Stavropol edge and the Rostov province of ), that proved to be more resistant to the blood parasites diseases than the sheep of the homeland species. In the period of 1956-1980 in these regions there was conducted selective- stock-breeding work (scientists of Livestock breeding Institute) and there were established stock-breeding farms into farmers associations “Sayvan” and “Victory” with the livestock on 14-15 thousand heads in each. Their live mass achieved in wombs 47-48 kg, rams 76-78 kg, the clip of the fine-woolen fur is respectively 3,4-4,0 kg and 4,3-6,0 kg. the wombs fruitfulness is 110-118 lambs to 100 wombs. The thinness of fur in rams 21,8 µm, wombs -20,3-20,9 µm, the indices of natural length are respectively 7,8 and 6,6 cm, true length is 10 and 9,9-10,7 cm. However in recent years because of the delivery curtailment the fine-woolen sheep the stock-breeding and productive qualities of sheep were lowered. There were lowered sheep livestock of to 4-5thousand heads in each farm. The sheep species were mixed and selective- stock-breeding work in these farms had not been conducted. The wool clip fell to 2,0-2,5 kg and the wombs living mass lowered to 44-45 kg.

Due to difficulties with the delivery of stock-breeding rams from the CIS countries and the demand increase for the mutton there is planned the crossing of these sheep with the rams of Gissar specie bred in the Koytendag mountain regions, Lebap velayat (farmers association “Koytendag” and “Dagly” of Koytendag region). In farmers associations there was accepted the system of lease relations. There are no farmers, which are breeding fine-woolen sheep. In the mountain regions there are herds “chekene” - “private herds” with the livestock of 600-650 head, where are fine-woolen sheep on 50-80 head in each. Aboriginal sheep species. There are bred the local sheep created by Turkmen tribes. Turkmen tail and Yomood fat-tailed species. According to the acting plan 23 of pedigree division into districts which was affirmed in 1931 these species/rocks were subject of absorption (crossing) with saradja specie and therefore their quantity from year to year is decreased.

Turkmen tail sheep. In essence they are bred in the Akhal velayat - on the Kopet Dagh foothills (Bakharli, Geoktepe, Rukhabat, Akbugday, Kaakhka regions) and in the literature they are known by the name “khorchi” or on the name of Turkmen tribe “teke - turkoman”. The Turkmen tail sheep specie is the extreme southern branch of the tail sheep population of the central Asia and in this population it is characterized by a number by signs, first of all by the white fleece color f and by the relatively high wool quality. The last special feature of Turkmen tail sheep, undoubtedly, is caused by the influence of the Iranian- Afghan sheep- descendants of ancient Asia Minor white fine-woolen sheep. These sheep on their dimensions relate to the small tail sheep (height in the withers 65-68 cm). The lambs like saraja are born dark brown color with the age the growing up wool becomes brighter and after the first hair-cutting the fleece becomes white with a presence of a small quantity of colored fibers, in this case on the head, feet and ears there remained initial brown color. Woolliness of Turkmen tail sheep is expressed considerably worse than in saraja. On the living mass they are considerably less than saraja. The living mass of the adult sheep of this specie is equal to 45 kg, and rams 48-73 kg. mass their flourishes depending on their fatness varies in the limits between14,2 kg, 21,4 kg or 39,6%-44,7% of the living mass. The fat output is from 5,3 to 15,2%, including tail fat -3,8 to 8,3% of the living mass. The Turkmen tail sheep wool clip do not differ very much from similar tail sheep without considering the saraja. The Spring wool clip was equal to 1,2 kg, and autumnal -0,8 kg. Their wool is considerably rougher than saradja in the insignificant content of awn and the absence of dead hair. The thinness of down is 19-21 micrometers (µm), transitional hair -48-52 µm and awn -60-80 µm The milk-producing capacity of Turkmen tail sheep is not great: average daily milk yield is equal to 400-500g and during lactation period it is possible to obtain 20-25 kg of milk. However, practically only in the years with good pastures they give t 10-15 kg of milk in the season.

Yomood sheep and cross-breeds with the saraja specie are bred in the southwestern part of Turkmenistan particularly in Magtymguly and Atrek regions of Balkan velayat. These sheep originated from the Iranian sheep and have medium size. Wombs are hornless and rams are horned. Their tail is fatty, S- form bent. Most of these sheep have brown color and the smaller part have white, black and speckled colors. Height in the withers is about 67 cm. The Yomood sheep living mass reaches indices of Turkmen tail. It in spring is equal to 43-44 kg, in autumn - 41-42 kg. The annual wool clip is equal to 2,0 kg, 24 and in rams -2,8 kg. On quality their wool close to the Turkmen tail sheep wool and relates to the mixed semi rough and rough, less uniformed wool. Among the aboriginal sheep of Turkmenistan Yomood sheep gave the greatest annual milk yield, which in the best years with 4- monthly period of milking achieved to 90 kg.

At present Turkmen tailed and Yomood sheep in the thoroughbred form are encountered rarely or almost never because since 1931 by the government resolution and according to the plan/layout of the sheep pedigree division into districts in the country, there was begun their cross-breeding with the use of saraja specie rams. This work was conducted with the use of the absorption crossing method of the improved species wombs with the rams of saraja specie. This process continued till fiftieth - sixties of past century. The purpose of crossing was an improvement in the productive and pedigree qualities of Turkmen and Yomood sheep. At present there are encountered and bred the Saraja- Turkmen tail cross-breeds (mixed sheep) obtained as a result of their crossing. Mixed sheep are bred in the farms of West Turkmenistan (Serdar and Turkmenbashi regions) and partially in the central regions in Bakharli, Geokdepe, Rukhabat, Akbugday and Kaakhka regions. The living mass of Saraja - Turkmen tail sheep at the age of 5-6 months is -30,5 kg, 1 year -37,8 kg, 2- years -43,7 kg and at the age 3 years -46,3 kg. Thus mixed sheep in comparison with the thoroughbred Turkmen tail sheep of the corresponding sex and age weigh is on 6,0-6,3 kg more, at that the difference increases with the age. Cross-breeding gives considerably larger effect on the woolen productivity. The mixed sheep’s wool clip comprises at the age of 1 year -2,24 kg; 2 years -2,43 kg and at the age of 3 years 2,44 kg. In comparison with thoroughbred Turkmen tail sheep thiese indices are on 0, 24-0, 64 kg more, they exceeded local sheep on the wool quality. Thus the crossing of Turkmen tail sheep with the saraja ram- producers had a positive effect on an improvement in their stock-breeding and productive qualities. At present the association “Turkmenmallary" with the systematic aid of the Livestock Breeding Institute planes to conduct the absorbing crossing of the Saradja & Turkmen cross-bred wombs with the Saraja specie rams. This will be the continuation of the works begun in 1931 and interrupted in fifties-sixties of past century. At present in Balkan velayat the livestock of the saradja- Turkmen tail sheep reaches more than 800 thousand heads where 20 thousand heads are maintained in farmers associations. In the country together with other stock raising branches the great value has camel breeding. There are bred the arvana specie camels which relate to the dromedaries. They were created and bred in Turkmenistan and are well adapted to the extremely severe climatic and forage conditions of Karakum sands. They are used for meat and milk obtaining and as working animals. Their annual 25 milk-producing capacity reaches 1,7-2,0 thousand kg and more with fattiness 3,8-4%. The processed camel milk products are named chal, agaran, etc. They have therapeutic value with gastritis, tuberculosis and other diseases. Camels quantity is about 125 thousand heads where 37,5 thousand heads (30,0%) are in the state agricultural enterprises and 87,5 thousand heads or 70,0% maintained in the private sector.

The mean living mass of adult males is 500-600 kg, female camel- wombs - 400-450 kg, and the slaughter meat output -50,0-52,0%, the wool clip in adult females is 2,1-2,2 kg, males is 3,5-4,0 kg. The mean fruitfulness of female camels for entire life is 8-10 hides. The lifetime of camels varies in 25-30 years and more, and their use as the producer is to 14-18 years. There are encountered dams which even into 20 years are able to birth. The color in is essence is brown and reddish - brown with different nuances. Camels are used not only as transport animals also for the meat and milk products obtaining.They give the soft high-quality wool which used for making of knitted wear, table lines for bread storing “sachak” and man's clothing – “chakmeny”. The camel’s skin is used for the preparation of sole production. Milk is characterized by high caloricity and fattiness. The make such sour-milk products as: camel chal, agaran- cream and suzme- fatty cottage cheese. The chal and agaran- cream contain all forms of irreplaceable amino acids and also vitamins. The most valuable livestock is concentrated in state sector: the stock-breeding farm “Sakarchaga” of Mary velayat (about 1 thousand heads), in the stock- breeding truss “Erbent” Akhal velayat (about 1,5 thousand heads), stock- breeding economy “Turkmenistan" (about 1 thousand heads) and “Gyzylarbat” (more than 2 thousand heads) of Balkan velayat, in the stock-breeding farm “Zheykhun” of Lebap velayat (with the livestock approximately 2 thousand heads). With the participation of the Livestock Breeding Institute in the camels of arvana specie sufficiently in detail there were studied: milk, meat and woolen productivity, reproductive abilities. In 1995 there was the highly productive dairy type of camels in farmers association “Sakarchaga” giving 2500 kg of milk per annum. Scientists at present conduct the selective- stock-breeding work in farms “Sakarchaga”and “Zheykhun” on preservation and improvement the species gene pool , increase in their milk, meat and woolen productivity. It should be noted that the camels are subjected to disease to sarkoptoz (itch), trypanosomes (blood parasite disease) and brucellosis that cause abortion and livestock death. During the disease the saplings output is extremely low (30-35 heads for 100 dams) and livestock grows goes very slowly. 26

The animals preservation must be aimed for the restoration of breeding center on the species and providing with the reliable animals protection against the diseases. Branch is well combined with the sheep breeding and is cheap meat and milk source.

The milking of camels is conducted in many farms including farmers associations “Sakarchaga" and “Erbent". Production system in state sector exist in the form of the lease relations between the shepherds and the farmers associations. The obtained milk is sold to urban population in the form of sour- milkproduct- chal and agaran. 1 liter of chal costs 1 thousand manat ( 0,05 USD), 1 l. of agaran- cream is 7-8 thousand manats ( 0,4 USD). In the private sector there are camels owners with the livestock of 3-15 head. They maintain camels for the family providing with camel milk and meat. The wool is sold on the market on 20-21 thousand manat per 1 kg ( 0,9-1,0 USD), sometimes the meat surplus is sold on the market on 21-25 thousand manat per 1 kg (1,0-1,16 USD). There are farmers with the large (50-100 goal) livestock, some of them have mini-plant on camel milk processing into chal and agaran. These products in the packed form (into the plastic vessels) are delivered to urban markets. Especially in summer they have large demand and are realized on the higher prices (one 1,5 liter bottle of chal costs 6-7 thousand manat like the beverage “Pepsi” and “Fanta"). Farmers realize them to hospitals, sanatoriums and children's hospitals. In the irrigation agriculture zone which is about 1,8 mln hectares there are mixed branches of cattle breeding, poultry raising and hog breeding there are also bred the saddle horses of Akhalteke and Yomood species for the sport purposes. The cattle breeding being one of the basic branches of the country stock raising plays important role in the population providing with meat, milk and dairy products. The cattle livestock in all farms categories is 1 mln.970 thousand heads (weight of cows is 49,0% or 967 thousand heads). In farmers associations the livestock 119,7 thousand heads, while in private sector is 1 mln.709 thousand heads. Thus 8,0% of cattle livestock are concentrated in 587 agricultural enterprises and 92,0% - in private sector. The cows weight in the herds of agricultural enterprise is equal to 30,0%, in private sector - 59,3%. In the country there are bred the cattle of the Schwyz (23%), Red- steppe and Brown Latvian (65%), Black-mottled (12%) and other species. Is at present there are bred the meat cattle via the crossing of the Schwyz specie cows (in the mountain regions of the country - Central Kopet Dagh), with the Cuban zebu and the bulls of Sharolez species. The new type of animals is well adapted to the mesoclimate, the epizootic and forage conditions (animals with the genotype of the zebu X shvits X sharole). Red steppe and shvitse-zebu- looked cattle is created on the basis of local zebu-looked cattle by the prolonged 27 use of sires of red steppe, Schwyz and Alatau species (imported from Russia and Kazakhstan). This work began in 30-es of past century. The new types of animals which sharply differ from the parent rocks were created at this time in Turkmenistan. These animals united the positive qualities of local and brought cattle and on the level of their productivity they satisfy the requirements of national economy. Animals are well adapted to the climatic, natural- food, epizootic country conditions and with the valuable feeding demonstrate the high productivity (this work it is carried out with the participation of the Livestock Breeding Institute). Red steppe cattle has milk direction and under the satisfactory conditions give 2500-3500 kg of milk with fattiness 3,8-4,0%. The mature cows living mass in best farms is 400 kg and more. The Color is red. It is characterized by high meat productivity, the living mass of bull calves at the age of 19-20 months reaches 380-400 kg and the slaughter output is in average 56%. Red steppe cattle are bred in the farms of Mary, Lebap and Dashoguz velayats. Its weight is 45% of the general livestock. Shvitsezebu-looked cattle has milk- meat specialization. The animals color in majority is brown. They were bred in the mountain and foothill zone of the country ( Kopet Dagh mountains). Shvitsezebu-looked cattle are characterized by the sufficiently high productivity indices. Under the satisfactory feeding conditions the milk yield is about 3000-4000kg. Commonly this cattle is concentrated mainly in the farms of Balkan and Akhal velayats. The average milk yield to each cow in the stock-breeding farms is 2500 and 2700 kg. Shvitsezebu-looked cattle has the milk high of fat content inherited from the local zebu-looked cows. It is 3,9-4,0%. This cattle has a good meat productivity. The living mass of bull calves at the age of 15 months reaches 340-345 kg, and young females in 18 months have 320-324 kg. At the intensive breeding the living mass of bull calves at the age of 18 months reaches 450-470 kg, with the demand of 7,3 fodder units per 1 kg of increase. Their slaughter output was 57,0%.

New meat type (zebu X shvits X sharole) of cattle livestock. The work on the new meat cattle type creation is begun in 1976 on the scientific experimental base of The Livestock Breeding Institute, and since 1980 these works were transferred into farmers association “Sayvan” of Bakharli region which is located in the mountain zone of Turkmenistan. This work is carried out under authorization and direct participation of the Livestock Breeding Institute together with the specialists and shepherds of this farm. Zebu were imported in Turkmenistan from Cuba in 1976 and the French meat species (bulls) were imported in 1985 from Belarus. On the first stage of work there was carried out the crossing (hybridization) of the bulls of zebu with the cows of shvitsezebu- looked specie and there were obtained mixed animals of the zebu X shvits species. On the II stage the mixed animals of the zebu X shvits were coupled 28 with the bulls of sharolez specie and obtained the group of animals of the zebu X shvits X sharole with the high indices of meat productivity. Since 1996 there was began III the stage of work - i.e. breeding hybrid animals “ in themselves”. The living mass of cows reached 450-500 kg, stock-breeding bulls -750-800 kg. The animals are well adapted to the local natural- stern conditions. They are very viable, resistant to the heat and the blood parasites diseases - to theileriasis. They used well mountain pastures and constantly they are maintained on pastures. The bull calves growth intensity is high, during fattening their living mass at the age of 17 -18 months reaches 500 kg at the average-daily increase - 1000-1100 gram. Slaughter output is 62%. On 1 kg increase they consume 8-9 fodder units. Fruitfulness of animals of the zebu X shvits X sharole is 90 calves to 100 cows. At present the livestock of these animal in farmers association “Sayvan” is 400 heads.

It should be noted that in the beginning of transition period - in 1991-1994 there was observed the tendency toward the cattle breeding branch unprofitability. In 1994 as a whole along the public sector the loss of the milk production was 7,0%, beef 4,0%.

In the private sector the cows productivity due to the weak fodders security and the low level of the cattle race were considerably lower (on 850-900 kg) than the those indices of the state sector farms. In recent years, especially since 1999 there was began the growth the number of farms with the livestock of 20- 100 heads and more. The government developed measures for the reform of the property of the cattle breeding branch that provide the transfer of public livestock in the initial stage to the lease with its subsequent realization into private property.

Production systems in the agricultural enterprises exist in the form of the lease relations between the farmers association and the shepherds. The milk from the state farms is sold to the enterprises of food industry and is processed there into the dairy products. For 1 liter of milk they pay on 3-3,5 thousand manats (0,14-0,16 USD). In the private sector the majority of owners has a cattle quantity varying from 3 to 15 heads. Production (milk and beef) is used mainly for the internal family needs and the certain part is realized on the market. There are larger-scale farmer farms with the livestock of 50-200 head. They have mini- plants on the milk processing for the production of sour cream, kefir, cream, etc. The majority of farmers sell their production to firms on the milk processing or enterprises of the food industry association.

In 1998 in the country there was established the consortium “Shayoly” on the Holstein species breeding. It has a plant for the milk processing. The Cattle was imported from Germany in a quantity of 245 heads. The cattle maintenance is 29 stall. In 2003 in “ Shayoly” from one cow there were milked on 7 thousand kg of milk. There were obtained on 86 calves from 100 cows. The living mass of bull calves at the age of 14 months achieved up to 472 kg. The maintenance and feeding and also the veterinary treatment of cattle here is organized on the high level. Nowadays the livestock is reached 537 heads, including 228 (42,5%) cows. The consortium “Shayoly” is located in Akbugday region of Akhal velayat. Its production is released in the packed form - on the technology of “Tetra-pack” company and sold in the firm store. The such form companies were also organized in Rukhabat region - “Altyn khalka”. It is the subsidiary firm of the Foreign affairs bank. There are bred the imported from France and Denmark cattle - species Holstein and Monbel'yard. In 2003 from each cow there were milked on 5 thousand kg of milk. Here is accomplished the processing of milk, meat at the high technological level. The cattle is maintained in stall. Thus during the independence years in the country there were appeared 2 new European highly productive species: Holstein and Monbel'yard. At present in these consortiums - “Shayoly” and “ Altyn khalka” the scientists of the Livestock breeding Institute carry out the research wok through the study of the imported cattle productivity for the purpose of its use in an increase the stock-breeding and productive qualities of the local cattle.

The akhalteke horses specie which has centuries-old history from the time of creation it found world reputation on its external beauty, grace of motion, endurance and sportiveness. The amateurs of this specie in the USA, Germany, England and France, Spain and Russia and in many other countries of world breed it. The yomood horse specie has its local value and it is bred in Dashoguz velayat of Turkmenistan in limited scale. It has working specialization. It is characterized by the fortress of its backbone, by endurance and sufficiently large sportiveness. The horses livestock at the beginning of 2004 in all farms categories was 29,2 thousand heads where 67,5% or 19,7 thousand heads belong to private sector and remaining 32,5% or 9,5 thousand heads belong to the state agricultural enterprises. The weight of akhalteke specie on the number is 8% or 2,3 thousand heads and the rest is yomood specie.

Turkmen sheep dogs -- transport watch dogs have centuries-old history and were created as a result of people selection. They were and they remain a permanent companion of shepherds during their pasturing on the desert pastures. Turkmen sheep dogs very large – their height in withers reaches 80-100 cm, they have large head, powerful backbone and well developed musculature. It protecting the flock often fights against the . It is very devoted to master. At present there are remained thoroughbred Turkmen sheep dogs very little, it is 30 necessary to reveal them and to gather to the nursery farm, to carry out the breeding work. There are the amateurish societies where the Turkmen sheep dogs occupy the leading place. But they are used for the sport purposes like dogs wrestling. Therefore dog’s thoroughbred is not the main purpose of the society.

The hunting dog - tazy are the product of people selection and now it is used for the foxes hunting , the hares, and earlier with them they hunted also saigas. They are well combined with the hunting birds. Hunting dogs are tall, on the high legs, have a high run speed and narrow body, musculature is developed weakly.

Donkeys – the peoples selection in Turkmenistan have bred the specie of Mary (Merv) donkeys which are not inferior on the measurements against the Khamadan specie (Iran province). In mass the height in the withers reaches 110 cm, but in separate cases it is to 130-140 cm. Donkeys were used on the agricultural works and were integral part of the peasant farm. Via the crossing of males with the mares there were obtained the mule which is characterized by its endurance, longevity (30-40 years). Donkeys dispense only with rough fodders. They can transport 80-100 kg of load, practically they are not ill. Thanks to the mechanization the need in donkeys sharply fell and at present they are added to the disappearing form.

4. The use of the agricultural animals genetic resources (AGR)

Turkmenistan has available, as it is noted in the foregoing chapters, the significant agricultural animals genetic resources, which were bred under the local conditions taking into account the climatic, stern special features of the country and national traditions, prevailing conditions of the people life.

The sheep Karakul specie is unique on its biological special features. These sheep in the extremely severe conditions of Karakum desert, where sediments do not fall out within 3-4 months, daily air temperatures reaches 45-50°C and sand temperature is 70°C and higher, the eaten up fodders and drinking water deficit , winter frost is often minus 10-15°C with significant snowfalls they keep health, production and reproduction ability. These conditions contribute to obtaining exclusively high-quality astrakhans with the fine elastic flesh side, the clear, solid locks mainly of medium size. 31

The Karakul sheep life conditions change leads to the issue obtaining with the friable skin by overgrown locks and loss of those unique qualities, which are inherent to the Turkmen Karakul astrakhans Now more than 59% of the sheep and goats livestock are Karakul and on the color, locks type the genetic resources of species are sufficient for its preservation in the cleanliness and development. At the last 8-10 years for purposes of the livestock growth and increase the meat production in the country there was stopped the cut of Karakul lambs for astrakhans. In spite of this there are continued the selective work with the specie on the improvement of its genealogical structure in the pedigree stock breeding farms. That is why Turkmenistan has the capabilities to export stock- breeding animals of this specie in the unlimited quantities.

The sheep of Saraja specie, created by the local selections is unique in Central Asia animals on the quality of white semi-rough wool. This wool is irreplaceable raw material for preparing the manual work Turkmen carpets. The livestock of this specie is approximately 200 thousand heads including the ewes of 75 thousand heads. They are maintained in the farms of state sector and their stock-breeding and productive qualities are improved. Within the specie there was created Ashkhabad interbreed type with the higher productivity indices. Animals of this type are bred on the farms of Akbugday and Rukhabat regions. Stock-breeding are the sheep-breeding farms of the farmers associations named after M.Sopyev, Magtymguly of Akbugday, “Yasmansalyk”, “Buzmeyin” of Rukhabat region, “Yzgant” of Geokdepe and farm named after Magtymguly of Bakharli region where are concentrated more than 74 thousand heads of stock-breeding sheep including 43,2 thousand heads of ewes. In recent time they were exported into Uzbekistan, Tuvi, Kazakhstan, Mongolia for an improvement in the local rough - woolen sheep, and in Tadzhikistan and Kyrgyzstan with their participation there was created new species. At present the stock-breeding farms have the capabilities for the realization of the stock- breeding sheep of this specie beyond the country boundaries.

The spring hair-cutting wool of the saraja sheep accordingly with the decision of the President as basic raw material for the carpet weaving is not exported. There was made the special decision of the President of Turkmenistan about the development of saraja sheep breeding and its stock-breeding base (1994 g). For its realization there are assigned the concrete farms in each velayat which must specialize in breeding of this sheep specie, and the farms of basic breeding zone are converted into the stock-breeding reproducers having united them into the joint-stock company “ Saraja” with the subsequent transfer to the subordination of the joint-stock company of the cattle-breeding farms of Turkmenistan “Turkmenmallary”. The rates of this decision realization are not high enough, but it remains in power. The association “Turkmenmallary” has to manage the cattle-breeding farms including the stock-breeding farms of state sector. It also 32 subordinates The lives tock breeding and veterinary science Institute whose activity is directed toward the AGR maintaining and improving the stock- breeding and productive qualities of agricultural animals including the saraja sheep. The main part of the saraja sheep (about 4,1 million heads) is located in the farms of private sector, but due to the weak organization of stock-breeding work their pedigree qualities are not high, often in the private flocks there are not used mixed ram- producers. All this requires the organization of large-scale selective- stock-breeding work on the saraja sheep AGR preservation and development and involving in this program the private sector livestock. Yearly in the country there were produced 5-6 thousand ton of saraja wool, but its realization troubled because of the low prices and the insufficient demand. There is planned to develop the wool processing industry to the end product (jersey, cloth etc.). This will increase the farmers and leaseholders interest in an improvement in the quality and an increase in the wool clipping.

The cattle livestock - as stated in the foregoing chapters is represented by the following groups: 1) local adapted species shvitsezebu looked and red steppe cattle. These are animals of brown Latvian specie imported into the country in 60-70- ies and adapted to the local climatic and stern conditions. 2) the recently imported species about 12% in essence in the state sector farms: black-mottled, Holstein and monbel'yard (only in the subsidiary farm “Altyn Khalka” of the Foreign affairs bank in a quantity of 180 heads). The food production basic volume (milk and meat) for the internal market is produced by the cattle of local population. There is no export of meat-and-milk production, it is used for the local consumption. The import is insignificant. Milk is used in the fresh and processed in the sour-milk products form, and meat in essence in the fresh nonfreezing form. Prices of the meat-and-milk products on the Ashgabat markets are 30-34 thousand manats (1,4-1,5 US dollars.) per 1 kg of mutton, 3,0-3,5 thousand manats (0,13-0,15 US dollars.) for 1 liter of fresh whole milk. In velayats the prices are lower on 25-30%.

There is no deficit of these products. The cattle breeding products prices and the tax exemption to the carrying out of cattle-breeding production stimulate the cattle livestock growth and an improvement in its stock-breeding qualities. At present more than 94% livestock is located in the private sector farms, and the state sector is transferred to leaseholders. That is why the previously existing stock-breeding service structure accounted for the coverage of state sector animals lost its value, and furthermore now there are no differentiated prices on breeder cattle taking into account its quality. On the initiative of the association “Turkmenmallary” there is planned the establishing of paid points on the base of 33 the stock-breeding farms for the cattle livestock maintenance with the introduction of the artificial insemination of the cows, zootechnical calculation, evaluation of sires according to the posterity quality. There are separate examples of this service. For this service expansion and development it is necessary the points equipping with contemporary tools, instruments and by equipment (for obtaining of liquid nitrogen and storing the frozen sperm, the delivery of the sperm of the valuable bulls of the Schwyz specie of American selection, Angler specie from Germany. It is very important the instruction of farmers and leaseholders to the contemporary methods of the branch management. The important condition for effective cattle livestock AGR use is the solution of the forage supply problem. At present on many farms the cattle is maintained on the pastures of mountain and foothill zone, and in the irrigation zone - on the stubble grain and on the sowings free sections. This is the extensive way which do not ensure the cattle’s need in the exchange energy and the raw protein for the manifestations and developments of the animals genetic potential. There is a good experience of obtaining the high harvest (to 30-35 ton/hectare) of the corn foliage sowed after the wheat harvesting. In such way there were obtained good (1,5-2,0 t/ha of grain, 4-5 t/ha of foliage) wave indices, local legume crops ripening in 65-70 days (in first half of October). Due to the limitedness of irrigated lands (1,8 million hectares) and their use in essence for the food grain cultivation and high-quality export culture - cotton, the cultivation of intermediate forage crops - corn and wave, for the concentrated fodders - barley for the grain on the limited (40-50 thousand hectares) area it will make possible to solve the problem of stern base for milk and meat cattle breeding. созревающий

Camel breeding as sheep breeding is maintained on the annual pasture and is used for meat, milk and wool obtaining in essence for the internal consumption. Their livestock at the beginning of 2004 was about 125,0thousand heads where more than 70% belongs to the private sector. The homeland “arvana” specie was created through people selection and had been bred in all velayats of the country and there is no danger of uncontrolled crossing with other species. Turkmen people zealously protected their species (camels, horses, sheep, sheep dogs) against the different blood. That is why the dromedaries of “ arvana” specie were bred in the cleanliness and the individual cases of purposeful crossing with two-humped Bactrian were conducted exclusively for obtaining of very powerful hybrid “ Iners” which are characterized by high ability for work. They were barren and could not have effect on the specie. The most valuable camels livestock is maintained in the stock-breeding farms: “Sakarchaga” (GPZ) of Sakarchaga region (1021 heads), Mary velayat, “ Dzheykhun” (1871 heads) of Sakar region, Lebap velayat, “ Kirpili” (1317 heads) of Bakharli region in Akhal 34 velayat, “ Turkmenistan” (1164 heads) Turkmenbashi region and “Kyzylarbat” (1700 heads) of Serdar region in Balkan velayat. Within the specie according to the type of build and productivity there were marked 3 production types - woolen- meat with the living mass of 580,4 kg, milky- meat with a living mass of 581,8 kg and meat- woolen with a living mass of 612,5 kg. they differ on the indices of milk and woolen productivity, the live weight of animals that composes the specie structure. The camels of farmers association “Sakarchaga”are characterized by very large sizes where genealogical lines to the well-known camel- producers were created. Those are Batly, Selen, Gyavers, Garagulak and Gok Gaplan. The live weight of producers belonging to these lines is about 650-750 kg. The farm has the opportunities for the stock-breeding animals export. The camel’s milk especially chal, sour-milk product though it is exceptionally valuable therapeutic mean against the pulmonary and gastrointestinal diseases, good cooling product have not became yet the basic source of the branch income. The local people highly value products got from the camel milk- chal and agaran (cream), also, with the least possibility, even in the cities they maintain female camels and their milk is used for the family consumption and realizations on the market. According to the data of many authors and the farms experience the milk productivity of female camels reaches 2,5 thousand kg with fattiness of 3,8-4,9 %. The camels maintenance is considerably cheaper than cattle livestock. Camel dispenses with coarse-stemmed fodders - camel prickle, goose foot, saltwort and a little the concentrated fodders. Having the pastures, camel does not require additional feeding. At the same time the main camels livestock is located on the hard-to-reach desert pastures far from the cities and the large populated areas. That is why, for the milking, depending on need there are organized the milking of 15-20 female camels near the settlement, but in mass they are not milked. Nowadays the yearly production of milk does not exceed 3 thousand ton, although according to the most modest calculations it is possible to bring the milk production to 50 thousand ton.

The camel’s wool is valuable raw material for preparing of blankets, jersey and other products. It has no wool sweat and according to the people’s experience has therapeutic value against nervous and some other diseases as radiculitis. The yearly wool production is 250-300 tons and mainly it is realized on the external market. Proper attention is paid to the camel breeding and its stock-breeding base development. According to the program of the President of Turkmenistan on the country economy development till 2020 there were planned to bring the camel’s livestock to 345 thousand heads or to increase it by 2,78 times in comparison 35 with 2003. For this purpose there are all opportunities since the camels are combined well with the small cattle without creating the obstacle for each other. According to the specialists calculations under the conditions of Karakum desert (38 mln hectares) for 1 camel maintenance there are required 30 hectares of pastures. That is why the planned increase in the livestock is optimal and there are all conditions for its achieving.

Pig breeding - on the local national and religious nourishment tradition this branch is not developed. At present in the state sector there is practically no pig breeding and in private sector just separate amateurs do it. But they are not interested as AGR. Obviously this branch will not be developed over the long term (on 01.01.2004 there were 30,9 thousand heads).

Poultry raising - in Turkmenistan there are bred in essence the hen, duck and partially turkey, quail, etc. The egg direction hen is of different cross races such as Belarus' -9, Belarus' -19, Zarya -17, Alatau -1, recently cross races Lomann- Braun, Khayseks white and meat poultry raising presented by Broiler -6, Gibro- 6. They were imported in Turkmenistan in the form of hybrids and do not have the value as AGR. Even in 60-es of the past century the Livestock breeding Institute revealed and studied the such local hens populations like Deshdovsk (in Akhal velayat), Kunya-Urgench (in Dashoguz velayat), etc., which were preserved up to now and they can be used for creating the new cross-country races. They are well adapted to the local climatic conditions and characterized by the heat resistance and have other valuable biological features. It is expedient to conduct their inspection, to reveal the most typical individuals and to organize the collection farms with The Livestock breeding and veterinary science Institute for their duplication and uses in the selective work. At present in the country the hens livestock in all farms categories is 12,9 million heads including the agricultural state enterprises with 176 thousand heads (1,6%), in private sector now there are 12,7 million heads (98,4%). The hens livestock (97-98%) mainly is concentrated in the private sector and connected with a constant delivery of hybrid eggs (chickens) from the Islamic republic of Iran, the Turkish republic and some other countries. For the original problem solution the providing of population with food eggs and chicken meat it is necessary to establish the own stock-breeding base for the hybrid eggs production and their realization to users. The program of this work had been developed. There were assigned the farms for the cultivation of linear poultry and soon it will be fixed with the scientists participation. There are no farms on the cultivation of other poultry forms. The hen is bred mainly in the individual yards for the internal consumption and market realization. There are private quail farms but the carrying out of their production do not have larger value in the total volume of poultry-breeding products. 36

5. The stock-breeding business development in the livestock branch and AGR use

The development of stock raising and its stock-breeding base is under a permanent attention of the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. The livestock breeders exemption from all forms of taxes realized by a special decision of the President since first days of the country independence and the limitations cancellation on number of cattle in personal yard created opportunity to the intensive stock raising development in the private sector. There are considerably increased the number of farms and their weight in the gross cattle-breeding production (Table 5).

Table 5 The livestock raising production Product type Unit Total Including Weight volume In public In private Of private sector sector sector,% 1990 Meat (in living Thousand ton 101,5 100,7 0,8 0,8 weight) Milk Thousand ton 223,5 192,3 31,2 13,9 Eggs Million 328,0 221,0 107,0 32,6 2003 Meat (in living Thousand ton 396,8 33,3 363,5 91,6 weight) Milk Thousand ton 1528,9 63,1 1465,8 95,8 Eggs Million 625,1 8,5 616,6 98,6

At the end of 1996 under the decision of the President of Turkmenistan there was formed the association of the cattle-breeding joint-stock companies “Turkmenmallary” which has subordinated all specialized cattle-breeding farms, cattle, pasture, the lands the property of the former kolkhozes, horticultural state farms. At the beginning 2004 there were 120 farmers associations with the general sheep and goats livestock of 2,6 million heads, cattle livestock of 119,7 thousand heads, camels of 33,8 thousand heads, birds of 176 thousand heads. The following tasks of association were determined: the cattle and poultry livestock growth, an increase in the animals productivity and an improvement in their stock-breeding qualities, development and establishing of the scientific bases of stock raising management, the private sector providing with valuable stock-breeding animals. During the time of its existing the association ”Turkmenmallary” accordingly to the decision of the President refined and inculcated the most effective version of lease relations in the stock raising 37 branch which ensures the high interest of leaseholders in the final results of work.

Table 6 Relative value of the livestock production within the species limits (%) Species Production Total milk meat skins eggs wool Cattle livestock 66,3 31,7 2,0 - - 100 Sheep and goats - 92,1 4,4 - 3,5 100 Camels 2,8 91,3 4,7 - 1,2 100 Hens - 20,7 - 79,3 - 100

Table 7 Relative value of the species within the livestock production limits (%) Species Milk Meat Skins Eggs Wool Cattle livestock 99,7 45,8 43,3 - - Sheep & goats - 50,0 52,0 - 99,3 Camels 0,3 3,0 4,7 - 0,7 Hens - 1,0 - 100 - Others - 0,2 - - - Total 100 100 100 100 100

On the lease conditions the herdsmen in the sheep breeding obtain 50% lambs, in the cattle breeding - 60% calves and all the produced milk, in the camel breeding - 30% hides of young camel, in the poultry raising 70% of grown chickens and 88% of eggs. This allows the rapid livestock growth both in the public and in the private sector. In the farms of association a yearly increase in the cattle livestock reaches 5-10%, the specific weight of ewes is 60-70%, cows - 30-35%, camel’s females - 45%. At present ( 01.01.2004) in the system of the association ”Turkmenmallary” there are working more than 10 thousand tenants.

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Table 8 The cost agricultural production Indices in Turkmenistan Agricultural branches 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2003 Gross amount of agricultural 1342,2 2771,3 4618,1 6543,5 7871,0 12661 production, billion manats Including cattle livestock 556,8 140,0 2360,3 3402,6 4756,4 8076 Inc. Sheep breeding 114,8 305,8 438,7 407,0 1323,0 - Sheep breeding weight in 21 22 19 21 27 - gross livestock production,% In agricultural production,% -cattle livestock 41,5 50,5 51,5 52,0 60,4 63,8 -sheep breeding 9 11 10 6 17 - -cotton cultivation 30 22 15 20 13 -

-seed cultivation 8 11 14 4 9 -

They use free pastures, stock farms, and watering facilities, get veterinary service, privilege credits if necessary. In the system of association ”Turkmenmallary” there are veterinary association with the velayats subdivisions responsible for the stock raising veterinary health of the country, the association ”Turkmenorimeydanlarysuvlandyrysh” (on the pastures irrigation) which accomplishes construction of new irrigating facilities (bore holes, well, sardob, etc..) on the pastures and their repair on the state budget account. The scientific research institute of stock raising and the veterinary sciences is under the jurisdiction of association, it works upon the agreement with its farms. The scientific workers accordingly of agreement, besides scientific themes give to farms the consultative and practical aid taking the basic zootechnical measures: conducting calculation, the selection of stock-breeding young animals, estimation and ranging of animals, the herds formation, the plan of selective- stock-breeding work development for the stock-breeding farms of association. Scientists had bred and inculcated in the 7 new interbreed species in the sheep breeding including the unique sheep -sur of golden and silvery coloring (farmers association “Tallymarzhan” in region named after the Great Turkmenbashi), “Myanin” type black prolific (123 lambs to 100 ewes) of Karakul sheep (created by Turkmen Agricuktural University named after Niyazov) in Kaakhka region, “Ashgabat” interbreed types of saraja meat-tallow- woolen sheep in the farms of Akbugday and Rukhabat regions. They are very valuable species gene pool and it is necessary to strengthen attention to their maintaining and to development.

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Animals of these types do not exceed the limits of plant herd a while(especially “Myanin" type) they need in protection, development. Furthermore it should be noted that it is necessary to enlarge the breeding zones of saraja sheep in the country with the use of highly productive valuable rams ”Ashgabat" interbreed type. In the system of the association ”Turkmenmallary” there are affirmed 32 stock- breeding farms, including 14 on the Karakul, 6 saraja sheep, 7 on cattle livestock and 5 on the camels of the ”arvana” specie. There are no re-productive farms on the poultry raising yet. In the sheep breeding there is adapted the thoroughbred breeding for the purpose of preservation and development of the most valuable Karakul and saraja species gene pool. At the same time by way of experiment for the growth of the woolen and meat- tallow productivity of Karakul sheep there is begun the scientific work on their crossing with the rams - producers of saraja specie. The first results are positive: animal F1 in comparison with the Karakul ones have 15-20% more than live weight and the wool quality is improved.

Mountains in Turkmenistan occupy about 2 million hectares, whose large part is not used at present. The sheep of Karakul and saraja species are not sufficiently adapted to the maintenance in the mountain conditions, they are undergone to the blood parasite diseases. In the mountains zone Koytendag in Lebap velayat) in private and some state farms there are bred the sheep of Gissar specie. They are not ill and normally produced, preserving the high live weight (60-70 kg of ewes) and reproductive ability. Farmers maintain their small livestock on the mountain pastures of Kopet Dagh and get normal results. For their acclimatization studying under the mountain conditions of Kopet Dagh pastures the Livestock Institute brought from Koytendaga 100-150 head of the Gissar species sheep and placed them in the farmers association ”Sayvan” of Bakharlinskogo region. The positive completion of this work will make possible to inhabit the mountain pastures with sheep of this specie.

An improvement in forage supply of animals is the important factor of effective AGR use. Under the decision of the President of Turkmenistan in the country there are carried out complete gasification of cities and populated areas, free population supply with natural gas and electric power. This made possible to stop the bushes cutting down for fuel and created conditions for the afforestation of the desert territory and improvement in the pastures and the desert ecology. On the XIY Medzhlis ”Khalk Maslakhaty” (National Congress) in 2003 there was established the decision about the continuation of the action of the decree up to 2020 years. This will ensure a significant increase in the pastures stern mass of the Karakum desert and the fulfillment of the plans on the growth of the sheep and goats, camels livestock up to 2020 g., the carrying out of cattle- 40 breeding production. The studies carried out the Livestock breeding Institute in the farmers association ”Galaymor” Serkhetabat (Kushka) region (southeastern Karakum) on the area 200 hectares showed that an improvement in the pastures by the bushes fitting from the local flora makes it possible to increase in 2-3 years their productivity by 3-4 times, to set up steady stern base for the sheep breeding. It is necessary to expect that as a result of gasification the improvement in the pastures will go continuously in the large (38 mln hectares) territories of Karakum desert. On the desert ecology and the pastures state positively will affect the construction of Turkmen lake in the center of Karakum desert with its main collectors which feed the lake with drainage waters from velayats. In the zone of their influence (about 15 mln hectares) the fodders reserves of it will increase on several times and there will be maintained additionally 4-5 million head of sheep and 54 thousand camels. An improvement in pastures fodder supplement will make possible the effective use of genetic resources of Karakul and saraja sheep, camels of the arvana species, to realize the programs of their improvement. The studies on the project IKARDA carried out by the Livestock breeding Institute on the farm in ”Yzgant” of Geokdepe region showed the possibility of a significant increase in reserves volumes of rough fodders via the cultivation of the jackdaws of salt firm plants of the local flora on the salty ground with the use of drainage waters. During the 2-time irrigation the halophytes Climasoptera lanata, Atriplex heterosperma, Atriplex dimorphostegia, Suaeda altissima and others showed productivity at the level of 10-12 ton per hectare of dry mass. They are eaten up well by sheep, especially when additional feeding is required in the winter time. In the special experiments the saraja sheep fattening on the rations on 60% consisted of hay of jackdaws, daily increases in weight were reached 150 grams. In the territory of the country the strongly salty lands occupy considerable area and they are not used for the agricultural crops cultivation. Their adoption under the stern jackdaws with the irrigation with drainage waters will make possible the complete solution of the problem with fodder supply of sheep population taking into account an increase of its number in the forthcoming years. The carried out experiments on the feeding of pregnant ewes in the winter months showed that their feeding during one (15.02.2003.-15.03.2003.) month with 50 kg of rough and 15 kg of the concentrated fodders made it possible to increase the output of living and large lambs by 18%, to improve their subsequent development. Thus an improvement in the ewes feeding ensures the more effective sheep genetic resources use and their maintaining improvement.

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6. The traditional methods of the AGR use

Among the traditional technologies used in stock raising of Turkmenistan most known is the annual pasture sheep and camels maintenance. Since ancient time Karakul and saraja sheep, the dromedaries of the arvana species permanently independent of the year seasons are on the desert pastures. They, as a rule, do not need in the stall maintenance. On the basis of the experience study of well- known shepherd- herdsmen, who well manage the methods of the sheep flock control in the course of twenty-four hours, the different seasons of year, knowing their behavior there was developed the technology of the sheep pasturage depending on their physiological state, age and sex, norms and rations of the pasture sheep feeding taking into account the full value of fodders. The many-year experience of shepherds made it possible to clearly master the methods of pasturing and watering of sheep, taking such measures as coupling, bearing, hair-cutting are transferred from generation to generation and on their experience there are brought up shepherds personnel taking into account the requirements of pasture rotation and state of the water mineralization in wells, there had been determined pastures for the different year seasons: in the summer time the pasturing is carried out around the wells which have the sufficiently large water debit with comparatively low mineralization. During this period since 10AM to 5-6 PM when the temperature of air reaches 43-47°C and sand temperature is 70°C sheeps are found on leisure near the wells, pasturing is carried out only at night hours, when sheep without the selection eat up rough fodders.

In the autumn-winter and spring months when there fall out the sediments and the animals need in water is lowered, sheep are grazed in the day hours using distant from the wells (to 7-8 km) pastures. For watering they are chased after one-two days. Some traditional methods of the sheep breeding products use such as the sheep milking in April- May months and production from the sheep milk the sour-milk and other products at present time practically not applied. The carried out experiment on the project IKARDA showed that from each sheep for the season (40-50 days) it is possible to obtain up to 30 kg of milk with fattiness 4,5-5,0%, to make from it to 6 kg of fatty pot cheese. This is the enormous source of profit (6 kg X 20 thousand manat = 120 thousand mantas or 5-6 US dollars) for the farmers and an improvement in the use of the Karakul and saraja sheep genetic resources. If yearly only in the state sector to the bearing there were going more than 1,5 million heads of ewes, then during the organization of the sheep milking from them there would be possible to obtain to 45 thousand ton of milk (thousand ton of pot cheese or 180 million US dollars). Such experience now is in the separate towns (in the mountain village Nokhur in Bakharli region of Akhal velayat) where from the sheep and goat milk there are made a number of products and the big profit is obtained. There 42 are traditional methods of the meat canning (kavurma, drying, storage of the ground, strongly salted meat in the bag made of the sheep stomach, after a good ram, the dried acid milk with the salt, the production of boiled butter etc.). Some of them till now is used in the people practice (kavurma is strongly fried meat, boiled butter).

Such methods make possible increasing the AGR effectiveness. For example in the camel breeding the drove coupling of female camels carried out with the use only of one camel- producer. This simplifies the animals origin calculation, stock-breeding selection for the non-admission of inbreeding. Camels females are milked 4-5 times taking into account their udder capacity for more complete utilization of the productivity potential of. The technology of the production of such valuable products as chal, agaran in the severe conditions of desert is the unique method the production using without the cooling. The application of traditional methods of the AGR and their production use is encouraged by the government of Turkmenistan, there are no taxes on them, limitations, the veterinarian aid is available. Privilege credits reveal to these purposes. It is necessary to note that the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Turkmenbashi opened the wide road on conducting of the distant stock raising and use of food production obtained from animals (meat, fat, milk, sour-milk productions etc.) on the national tradition basis.

7. The state and the prospective of the AGR management

At present the basic purpose of the government program of the country stock raising development is increase in the number of animals, growth, due to this, productions of foodstuffs without concretely taking into account the use of potential of AGR productivity on the animals forms and species. Under the effect of the stock-breeding species improvement traditional methods the work in the state farms still continues especially in the sheep breeding and the camel breeding where thoroughbred exchange of the producers is conducted between the farms for the non-admission of the closely-related pairing, the conducting of the complex zoo technical calculation in the stock-breeding farms etc. In the commodity herds the level of this work is not high. The adapted previously stimuli in the form of higher than on commodity cattle prices for the stock- breeding animals breeding and realization taking into account their class are not applied because the cattle livestock is transmitted into the lease, and the leaseholder- users of stock-breeding producers do not manifest the larger desire to buy them on the high prices. They are satisfied with stock-breeding animals grown in their farms. This is limiting the works amount in the stock-breeding farms. At present in the system of the association ”Turkmenmallary” there are 43 taken measures for overcoming of this obstacle. Somewhat more badly is the matter in the private sector farms where more than 81% sheep livestock is concentrated. In the private flocks there are not followed the principles of thoroughbred breeding, there are frequent the cases when in one flock on the coupling there are used the ram- producers and of Karakul and saraja species and their cross-breed. Private flocks are not formed according to the pedigree criterion as this done in state farms. That is why now the majority of private sheep are mixed and the process of uncontrolled crossing is continued that is negatively reflected on the AGR preservation and the species improving.

For its averting it is necessary to develop and realize the full-scale program covering matters of professional education, short term farmers and leaseholders trainings providing of private flocks with thoroughbred stock-breeding producers, formation of the flocks concerning the species and aimed stock- breeding work on preservation and development species AGR. Obviously it is the time to direct the selective- stock-breeding work on the pay base with the introduction of the contemporary methods of the flock reproduction and computerizations of stock-breeding calculation, the use of a world gene pool in the stock raising especially in the selection of cattle livestock, hens of the egg and broiler specialization. There are the separate experiences on the servicing of individual farms on the artificial cows insemination, pregnancy control and treating their gynecological illnesses, but thus far this does not have the organized character. Provision is made for creation the veterinarian servicing cooperatives in the rural areas where the significant animal livestock is concentrated which arrange the necessary conditions for conducting the artificial cows insemination, storage of the valuable sires sperm in liquid nitrogen, maintenance of bulls for the manual coupling, a sufficient contingent of inseminating specialists, the doctors - gynecologists etc. This service will have its central organization intended to coordinate the work of cooperatives, to give them systematic and supply aid, to have direct connection with the scientific centers and the association ”Turkmenmallary”. On its base there will be organized the farmer- livestock breeders workshops, seminars and conference on the stock-breeding matter issues in , the record of stock-breeding animals in the Country Pedigree Book. Over the long term they on the paid basis will be servicing the state sector farms especially cattle-breeding direction (cattle livestock) computerize the stock-breeding calculation.

The planned measures realization will ensure the aimed work on an increase in thoroughbred animals livestock, the development of their productivity potential , the intensification of AGR role in the implementation of the country food program. In 2003 the cows productivity was 1888 kg of milk and gross milk 44 production was 1529 thousand ton. This result was achieved mainly thanks to the quantitative factors. The AGR improvement will allow the increasing of the qualitative indices role i.e. the higher cows productivity. The same potential is also in the growth of the cattle meat productivity. In 2003 the mean realization live weight of cattle livestock was 301 kg, sheep and goats - 40,5 kg, camels - 350 kg. The results of scientific experiments and the experience of the best farms (farmers, leaseholders) show that the bulls live weight of the basic Schwyz and red steppe species at the age of 18-19 months it is possible to bring to 450-500 kg, the sheep of Karakul specie to 50 kg, saraja specia – to 60 kg and more, 2- years aged camels - to 400 kg.

The similar reserves achieved due the AGR improvement are also in the poultry raising, where 120 eggs per annum, while in the best farms of the country on 280-290 eggs now are obtained from each laying hen. It is important to introduce the contemporary hens’ cross-country races of egg direction with the creation of sufficient stern base, the expansion of the corn and barley planted areas of. The best farms experience in the country shows that after the barley harvesting at the end of May it is possible to obtain a good corn harvest for the grain. Optimally from same area there are cropped on 3 ton/hectare of barley grain of and during October on 5 ton/hectare of shelled corn. There was the work carried out by the Livestock breeding Institute in farmers association ”Sayvan" of Bakharli region in Akhal velayat, which is located in Kopet Dagh mountains on the hybridization of Schwyz cattle with the Cuban zebu imported in 1976 from Cuba in a quantity of 47 heads including 7 bull calves and the cross-breed of first generation with the bulls of Sharole specie. The purpose and program of this work approved by VASHNIL – (All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences named after V. I. Lenin) provided for the creation of the meat type animals for the adoption of the mountain pastures, well fitted out to the heat and resistant against the blood parasite diseases. Such animals had been bred at present their quantity is more than 400 heads. Hybrid bull calves at the maintenance on mountain pastures and the additional feeding with concentrates and rough fodders at the age of 19-20 months reach 500-550 kg. These animals are duplicated “in themselves” and zebu (only 8 heads) remains in ”cleanliness”. The breeding of the hybrids zebu X shvits X sharole is accomplished along the lines of three bulls, there are families separated. In the program of this work have been included problems on an increase in the hybrid animals livestock after inhabiting with them the territories of the mountain pastures of Karakala (now named after Magtymguly), Bakharli, Geokdepe,Rukhabat, Akbugday, Kaakhka, Serakhs, Serkhetabat and Takhtabazar regions. On their territory it is possible to place more than 100 thousand heads of meat cattle with the yearly production of 12-13 thousand ton 45 of beef. On the base of farmers association ”Sayvan” there is provided for the creation of stock-breeding re-producer with the task to provide the commodity farms with the highly valuable stock-breeding bulls and the improvement of hybrid animals with the subsequent formation as independent species. The livestock in this economy, accordingly program will be brought to 1000 heads. During the creation of FAO project there was planned the delivery of the sperm of the bull- hybrids of gereford X tbison (Buffalo) from the USA for amplifying the capability of the zebu X of shvits X to sharole to the pastures maintenance with the high output of cheap meat production.

8. The generalization and proposal

1. Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia and occupies 489 thousand square kilometers of area where 380 thousand square kilometers is the desert Kara Kum, At the beginning 2004 the country population was 6,4 million people. Turkmenistan is Independent (since 27 of October 1991) and neutral (since 12-th of December 1995 under UN General Assembly decision). 2 The AGR in Turkmenistan represented by: a) Karakul and saraja sheep bred in the cleanliness for obtaining the astrakhan, wool, meat, tail fat and sheepskin. They are on the annual pasture maintenance. Their livestock at the beginning of 2004 was 13,9 million heads including the thoroughbred saraja sheep -200 thousand heads; b) the dromedaries of the arvana species. Their livestock on 01.01.2004 was 125 thousand heads. Permanently they are located on the pasture maintenance. They are bred in cleanliness; c) the cattle livestock to the beginning 2004 was about 1,97 of million heads. The basic specie: - shvitsezebu-looked cattle (23%) - mixed red steppe cattle (45%) - brown Latvian species (20%) - black-mottled, Holstein specie (12%) - also monbel'yard, the hybrids zebu X shvits X sharole – The hen- hybrids of the different cross-country races which do not have the values as AGR -Y2,9 million heads. 3. The country population(6,4 million people) food providing is achieved in essence with its own production. In 2003 there were produced the meat - 46

209 thousand ton in the slaughter weight, milk - 528,9 thousand ton and eggs -625,1 million. 4.. Turkmenistan can export high-quality stock-breeding Karakul and saraja sheep, dromedaries of the arvana specie, import the American selection shvits sperm, bulls of angler specie from Germany, the hybrids of bison X gereford (buffalo) from the USA, conclude contracts about joint activities on the intensive poultry raising development in Turkmenistan. 5. In the country there are no taxes to the cattle-breeding production, limitations to a cattle quantity in the private farms. There was inculcated the very advantageous lease system of the public cattle maintenance on conditions of which 50-60% of young animals is revealed to leaseholder as the labor remuneration. 6. There was established the national program of the President of Turkmenistan on the country social and economic development to 2020 in according with which the sheep and goats livestock toward the end of the period will achieve 31,5 million heads, the cattle livestock will be 5 million heads, camels -345 thousand heads , poultry – 40 million heads. Provision is made for the AGR improvement due to which the cows productivity will achieve 3,5-4,0 thousand kg of milk, hens egg production -200 pieces. 7. The problem of the AGR preservation, use and development is entrusted to the association “Turkmenmallary”, where is located the large part of the public cattle, the scientific center –The livestock Breeding and veterinary Science Institute, the Veterinary service and the association for the pastures irrigation. 8. Thanks to the Scientific centers works there were created remain 5 new thoroughbred and “Myanin" prolific (123 lambs to 100 ewes) interbreed type of Karakul sheep, the “Ashkhabad” interbreed type of saraja sheep, the new meat type of hybrid (zebu X of shvits X sharole) cattle livestock, shvitsezebu-looked and mixed red steppe cattle, there were revealed 3 production types and 4 genealogical lines of the camels of arvana specie. Their maintaining and development, the creation of the new species structure are to increase the effectiveness of AGR use. 9. For the mass race and stock-breeding qualities of sheep and large livestock improvement especially in the private sector it is necessary to develop and realize programs foreseeing: - the farmers and leaseholders instruction - creation and development on the paid basis the service on the veterinarian maintenance of stock raising with the introduction of 47

artificial insemination, computerization of calculation and selection according to the pedigree criterion; - the farmer’s consulting on commercial services on the products arrangement. 10. The detection, study, maintaining and the selective use of the disappearing animals and birds populations : local zebu-looked cattle livestock, local sheep and goat, the population of hens. For these purposes it is necessary to conduct the animals and birds inspection for the detection and study of their disappearing local species and populations: a) of local zebu-looked cattle, resistant against the heat and blood parasite diseases - theileriasis, scourge for brought animals, well using the local rough fodders, having the high reproductive ability (very little remained); b) of the sheep of local selection (Turkmen tail species) and of goats (local Turkmen rough woolen) well adapted to the local climatic, stern and epizootic conditions, with sufficiently good fruitfulness (there are sufficiently much remained); c) of wild pigs well combined with animals cultural species, excellently developed digestive system, able to use natural stern resources, low-fat meat, resistant to many diseases and not requiring the special maintaining conditions; d) of the hens of Kunyaurgench, Deshdov, Garrygala populations resistant to the mesoclimate, the diseases and undemanding to the maintaining conditions (there are very little remained); e) of the homeland rocks of the watch and hunting dogs playing important role in the stock raising; f) of the homeland rock of donkeys in their time for obtaining the mules with good working qualities (very little remained), local (Mary specie Mervs) donkeys are large (height in the withers is 120 cm and more)which were used for the transport work (remained very little); g) the Cuban zebu imported in 1976 from Cuba in a quantity of 47 heads and used for creating the herds of meat cattle via crossing with the Schwyz specie and the bulls of sharole specie. At present there are 8 heads remained. 11. It is expediently the indicated duplication and preservation genetic resources to use in the selective work, to concentrate them on the collection farm at the Livestock Breeding Institute. The creation and 48

operations of such farm will require financial support in the sum 100 thousand US dollars. 12. It is necessary to organize on the collection farm: - the point for taking and storage in the frozen form of the producers sperm for the use in the work on the AGR preservation. - laboratory on the study of the animals production quality on the gene pool farm, of the quality of their products (meat, fat, milk, eggs, etc.), withstanding against diseases - point on the embryos transplantation and animals cloning. These measures will make it possible to multiply AGR in intensive rate 13. In 2005 on the base of collection farm it is possible to conduct the seminar with the specialists on the AGR preservation and maintenance issues; 14. To prepare and to publish in 2005 the album- pamphlet about AGR which are bred in Turkmenistan under the recommendations regarding their use and in 2006 to prepare the book about the agricultural animals biological diversity of Turkmenistan. 15. For obtaining the information about the AGR state and achievements around the world there are necessary computers (2) and Internet connection, for the communication improvement on AGR matters with the center and the regions there is needed E- mail. 16. It is necessary to develop the livestock breeders international communication at the farmers level.

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9. International collaboration on the AGR maintaining and use

1. The AGR preservation and use has global value and requires participation in this work of many countries, scientific centers and international organizations. It is possible the creation of the book on the basis of this collaboration, the charts, which describe the agricultural animals and birds forms and species, will be the FAO valuable contribution in the world population food supply problem solution. This material will be inexhaustible source for improving of the existing and creation of the new animals species and cross-country races of bird in countries worldwide. 2. Interested organizations have to be united around the regional project on an example of international scientific organizations like IKARDA. 3. For their activity coordination it is necessary to create in the one country of region the office which will give the systematic aid in the development and implementation of the AGR improvement program, carry out the seminars, generalize the results obtained. 4. The information exchange is needed in only the region, but also on a global scale. 5. There is required an exchange with genetic materials as it is done in plant growing branch. 6. The scientific workers trainings on the base of organization where is well applied practice on the AGR preservation, maintenance and use and the farmers and leaseholders education organized by the scientists in the countries.