Livestock Sector occupies a unique position in the socio-economic development of the country. It also plays important role in the rural economy as supplementing family incomes and generating gainful employment in the rural population, particularly among the landless laborers, small and marginal farmers and women. 30-35 million rural populations is engaged in livestock raising, having household holdings of 2-3 cattle/ buffalo and 5-6 sheep/ goat per family which help them to drive 30-40% of their income from livestock.

Dairy, Meat and Poultry sector are considerable major sector of livestock. Livestock contributes approximately 55.1 % to the agriculture value added and 11.6% to national GDP during 2010-12. Gross Value Added of the livestock sector at constant factor cost has increased from Rs 672 Billion (2010-11) to Rs 700 Billion (2011-12) showing an increase of 4.0 percent as compared to previous year.

Livestock population in Pakistan (Million No)

In Pakistan livestock includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camels, horses, asses and mules. Buffalo breeds found in Pakistan are Nili Ravi, Kundi and Aza Kheli. Nili Ravi is considered best buffalo breed in world and known as Black Gold of Pakistan. The cattle breeds found in the country are Sahiwal, Cholistani, Red Sindhi, Achai, Bhagnari, Dajal, Dhanni, Gibrali, Kankraj, Lohani, Rojhan, and Thari. Out of these, Sahiwal, Cholistani, and Red Sindhi are main dairy breeds and well known internationally due to their distinct characteristics. Goat is considered as `poor man's cow'. Some rural and urban people keep goats and sheep and use their milk for domestic consumption.

Current estimated province wise livestock population ( Million No ):

Role of poultry sector in Livestock economy

Poultry is 2nd largest industry of Pakistan. This sector generates employment (direct/indirect) and income for about 1.5 million people. The poultry sector is one of the most organized and vibrant segments of the agriculture industry of Pakistan. Its contribution in agriculture and livestock is 6.4% and 11.5 % respectively. Poultry meat contributes 28.5% of the total meat production in country. Poultry sector includes domestic /rural and commercial poultry. In domestic poultry include cocks, hens, chicken, and their products i.e. eggs and meat. Commercial poultry include layers, broilers, and their products i.e. egg and meat.

Domestic poultry share (Million Tons):

Commercial poultry share:

Estimated livestock products production (Million tons)

Meat, wool, hair, bones, fat, blood eggs, hides and skins are the main livestock products .When the horns are properly handled and processed, they provide a variety of practical and decorative articles including buttons, toggles, combs, spoons, forks, knife handles, napkin rings, wall decoration, shoes, horns, etc. The hide of animal is an important item both for export and for local industry. Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers of good quality hides and skins, and about a million of animals are slaughtered annually. Leather is considered to be the most important raw material in the country's economy. Faeces tremendously used as fuel and organic fertilizer by the rural people.

Milk:

Pakistan is fourth largest milk producing country in the world. Milk is produced by buffalo, cattle, sheep, goat and camel but being major contributor in milk production, cattle and buffalo are considered major dairy animals. Milk is favorite food in Pakistan and is consumed as fresh, boiled, powdered and in processed form as yogurt, ghee, lassi, butter, cheese, ice cream, sweets and in other confectioneries.

Gross production (million Tons)

Human Consumption (Million Tons)

Meat:

Meat industry in Pakistan is developing now a days. The export of the meat (beef, mutton, and camel meat) has increased from US $ 108.54Million (2010-11) to US $123.61Million in 2011-12 showing an increase of 13.9%. We can fulfill the ever increasing meat demand inside the country and can earn a handful foreign exchange by exporting the meat as free of disease. . Dairy animals are also used as beef animals. When a dairy animal has spent her productive life and becomes uneconomical for milk production then she is used as a beef animal. Male calves of dairy animals and dairy bulls when no further required for breeding purposes are also utilized for beef purposes. Meat production (Million Tons) of Pakistan is given below:

Fisheries sector

Fisheries is a sub sector that plays a significant role in the national economy and towards the food security of the country as it relax the existing pressure on mutton, beef and poultry meat. Fisheries share in GDP is 0.3%. Although the contribution is very small, it adds substantially to the national income via export earnings. A total of 84,498 million tons of fish and fish products were exported 2011-12. Pakistan major buyers are china, Thailand, Malaysia, Middle East, Sri Lanka, and Japan.