Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Quetta, Balochistan; 1 Faculty of Animal
Husbandry,
University of
Agriculture,
Faisalabad,
Pakistan
*Corresponding author:
raziq2007@gmail.com
Abstract
Balochistan is the largest province of
Pakistan and makes about 44% of the total geographical area of
the country. Most of the area is rangelands with only 5% arable. Animal
agriculture is centuries old occupation of the people of Balochistan. Livestock
are one of the major important sectors of the province having about 20% of the
national stock. However, with little manufacturing facilities and
under-developed infrastructure, the provincial economy lags far behind other
parts of the country. This is the cradle of many precious livestock breeds and
livestock make an important part of the socio-cultural and socioeconomic verve
of its inhabitants. The biodiversity of animal genetic resources plays very
pivotal role in the economy of the province and each breed has its own
uniqueness and socioeconomic importance. The exact value of such precious animal
genetic resource has never been realized as yet and no serious steps have been
taken for its improvement. It is the utmost need of the time to rethink on the
policies relating to livestock production in the province while keeping the
needs of the growing population, socio-cultural change and the global warming
issues in mind.