By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, May 30 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan’s environment is ideally suited to untraditional animal farming for production of furs and fats to earn handsome foreign exchange; however, no experimentation in this regard has been done at the government level, reports WealthPK. Raising mink – a dark coloured, semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal internationally famous for its soft, durable fur of varying hues farmed around the world — is one such area where Pakistan needs to invest to earn handsome foreign exchange and help shore up its economy. Around 50 percent of mink farms are in Europe and the rest are spread across the world. Denmark, China, the Netherlands, the United States, Spain are the leading names in mink farming and its fur production. In Poland and China, extensive mink farming is done, while in Canada, mink waste is transformed to produce methane to get bio energy. Mink's natural hues of pearl, lavender, sapphire, pastel grey, white, mahogany and jet black etc have been a favourite of all times. In mink farming, all body parts of the mammal are used and nothing is wasted. Mink fat is used in the cosmetic industry, to water-proof leather and to produce bio fuels. In cosmetics industry, mink oil is considered a magic remedy to care for skin and hair. WealthPK discussed about the possibility of mink farming with an enthusiastic farmer Chaudhary Basharat Ali from Chowk Azam of Layyah. Basharat dared to farm snails imported from Kenya. “I am very fond of untraditional farming experiments for socio-economic benefits. I successfully experimented with the farming of ginger and saffron. Mink farming will be a new chapter in my album of unusual farming. At the end of this year, I am planning to import minks from Greece. I wish to visit Greece to request for any expert mink farmer from there. The main reason is that when in many European countries, minks were culled in huge numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the farming community there adopted novel ways to keep their farms, farmers and animals safe and healthy. The reason is that in the poorest areas of Greece, a great number of people depend upon mink farming. The precautionary measures not only saved the mink industry there, but also a sustainable source of livelihood for the farming community. That’s why I will prefer Greek wisdom and strategy." Basharat said he will also invite investors to consider this new mode of business. This will not only help raise the GDP, but also prove a new aspect of socio-economic and sustainable source of livelihood for a good number of people,” he added. In a discussion with WealthPK, naturalist and veterinary doctor Sheikh Muhammad Mateen said, “Furs are sold and marketed in Pakistan in a good quantity but animals are not specially farmed here for this purpose. Mink farming or farming of other fur animals like cats, foxes can be a good addition to our local farming industry.” About the mink farming possibilities, Principal Scientific Officer from the Livestock Research Station of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Anjum said, “To get fine plush, we have introduced the farming of Angora Rabbit at our station. To get fur from mink and its farming is quite a new concept. In a controlled environment, mink farming can be beneficial for Pakistani farmers and ordinary people as a source of sustainable livelihood. Further experiments and research about its breeding and adoptability can make it handier to popularize its farming in Pakistan as well.” Mink meat is not appetizing but it makes a good bait for fishing crabs. Its meat is also used to prepare organic compost. It is also used to food the aquarium fish and zoo animals or wild life preserves. Mink oil market is expected to grow by the worth of US$31.70 million at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% by the year 2031, while the premium grade mink oil is anticipated to grow by a CAGR of 3.7% and low-grade mink oil at 3.6% CAGR by the same year. The cosmetic and personal care segment using mink oils is likely to expand at a CAGR of 4.4% by the year 2031. Now, East Asia is an emerging mink oil market and it is expected to expand at a ratio of 4.5% by the same year. Chinese farms are moving towards new techniques and methods about mink farming. China’s efficient production facilities, skilled workers and farming techniques and a good breeding stud with improved gene pool make it the champion in mink farming.