Balochistan contributes 40% to total livestock

70 percent population of the province directly or indirectly linked with sector

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan’s potential of ‘Livestock Industry’ offers a wide range of opportunities and prospects for local as well as the international companies to invest in this emerging sector of the region.

The province is rich in livestock resources that are contributing about 40 percent of Pakistan’s total livestock population.

The development of this sector is linked with poverty alleviation as 70 percent population of the province is directly or indirectly linked with livestock related activities. The socio-economic conditions of the farmers can be boosted with investment and innovation in the industry. The local farmers aren’t aware about the modern animal husbandry practices as there are no organised cattle farming activities.

Hence, the province suffers low productivity due to poor breeding and rearing. They also lack proper healthcare coverage for animals, marketing system and extension services. The provincial government is working to upgrade the dairy and livestock sectors to exploit its full potential to generate economic activities for the people of the province.

Livestock is dependent on grazing in rangelands, which makes 40 percent of the total landmass in the province. During winter, the farmers living in central Balochistan migrate with their flocks to lower lands in Sibi and Kachhi plains for the grazing purpose.

Livestock is an important sector of the rural economy contributing about 40 percent to the provincial GDP. According to an estimate, the province maintains 2.253581 million cattle, 12.804217 million sheep, 11.784711 million goats, 0.319854 million buffaloes, 0.379528 million camels, 0.059973 million horses, 0.006256 million mules, 0.471942 million donkeys and 5.911304 million poultry. Livestock contributes Rs. 20 billion with share of meat 40%, milk 35%, eggs 13%, skin, hides & wool 10% and others 2%. The province annually produces 28,000 tons of beef and 204,000 tons of mutton.

Ironically, the provincial government allocates a nominal amount for the development of this sector, which is the primary sustainable source of living for over 70 percent of the local population. The provincial government held first-ever livestock expo in Quetta on November 18-20 this year. The three-day livestock Expo aimed at increasing meat productivity to boost the economy of the province.

For highlighting the livestock potential of the province, the Government of Balochistan in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (UNO), University of Balochistan, Quetta, and Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) organised an International Conference on “Livestock in Balochistan Prospects and Opportunities” on November 08, 2019.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2019.