Abstract
Globally, livestock production currently accounts for some 40% of the gross value of agricultural production. In developed countries this share is more than half, while in developing countries, it accounts for one-third of agricultural production. This latter share, however, is rising quickly following rapid increases in livestock production as a result of population growth, urbanization, changes in life styles and dietary habits, and increasing disposable incomes (Steinfeld, 2004). Livestock is a vital component of the livelihoods of both the rural and urban poor in developing countries. In Pakistan, livestock accounts for 52.2 percent of agricultural value added, contributes 11 percent to GDP and affects the lives of 30-35 million people in rural areas (Economic Survey, 2006-2007). Livestock is closely linked to the social and cultural lives of millions of resource poor farmers, which ensures varying degrees of sustainable farming and economic stability. In world trade, animal products represent a value more than double that of grain (Tacher et al., 2000) Livestock ownership currently supports and sustains the livelihoods of an estimated 675 million rural poor (LID, 1999). The total demand for animal products in the developing countries is expected to more than double by 2030. Conversely, demand for animal products in the industrial world has been stagnating and livestock production in this group of countries is expected to grow only slowly over the projection period (FAO, 1996; Steinfeld, 2004). These general trends, which should continue at least during the next 20 years, are now widely recognized as "the next food revolution" (Delgado et al., 1999). Therefore, developing world is expected to meet the increasing demands of animal food both for itself and for the developed world. Consequently, there will be a strong impact on the organization of livestock production, which will in turn strongly impinge on animal and human health, the livelihoods of the poor and the environment. In the absence of pro-active development policies, the impact of the increased demand for livestock products in terms of increased security of safe food supplies, environmental protection and poverty reduction will be far less favourable (DFID, 2000). Hence, stakeholders in the livestock sector will have to critically revisit the animal production systems of Pakistan. This paper reflects on historical perspectives of animal husbandry, role of traditional and intensive animal production systems in sustainability of livelihood, and some issues and proposed actions in future to meet the challenges confronted by the livestock sector in Pakistan.

Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Sarwar, Muhammad Nisar Khan. (2008) Animal health and production: a planned integration of traditional and intensive production is a viableOption For Sustainable Growth In Pakistan, , Volume-45, Issue-2.
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