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.
