ABSTRACT
Livestock is an important component of agriculture sector. It contributed around 59% to the agriculture value added and 12% to the overall GDP during 2015–2016. Nearly 8 million families are engaged in livestock raising. There are 80 million cattle and buffaloes, 100 million sheep and goats, and 7 million equines and camels. Per capita milk and meat consumption is 170 L and 22 kg, per annum, respectively. There is horizontal growth in the livestock products. Livestock number is increasing without productivity enhancement. Increasing livestock numbers are eating up country's land and feed resources. This situation is not affordable in a country like ours. Focus on productivity enhancement of livestock for increasing livestock products to feed human population simultaneously decreasing the livestock numbers is needed. For this purpose, breed portrayal and economic valuation is required for every animal species. Indigenous dairy cattle breeds such as Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Cholistani are extremely important in changing climatic situation; they need to be focused for their role in food security. Cost-effective performance recording plans are required for cattle, buffalo, and sheep/goat breed development. This is important for meeting farmers’ demand for indigenous germplasm. Developing new dairy breed is a long-term solution to increase milk supply than demand. There is need to seek international collaboration for advanced education in molecular genetics and computational breeding. Livestock extension must be changed from veterinary expansion, concentrated on sightless immunization and deworming, to animal production extension concentrating on breeding, feeding, management, marketing, and disease prevention. Cap on milk and meat prices is a major hurdle in productivity enhancement of livestock and should be lifted. Government must define what is public-good and what is a private-good to refrain itself from doing businesses. Establishment of disease-free zones are required for export earnings in livestock sector. Local marketing system of livestock should be improved to avoid exploitation of both buyers and sellers in the animal markets.
