Livestock & Dairy Development Board

Livestock is the most important sub-sector of agriculture with national GDP contribution of 10.7 % and 49.5 % to the agriculture value added. Livestock also contributes significantly towards national exports and 8.5 9.0 % of total exports belong to this sector. This sector provides raw material for the industry and livestock creates market and capital. It serves as a social security for the rural poor who can cash it at the time of his/her need. Livestock also provides security against crop failure particularly in barani areas. Most importantly, livestock is raised by more than 6.5 million small and landless families in the rural areas constituting their main livelihood source. Thus it is an ideal sector for investment if one would like to address poverty alleviation in the most deserving areas i.e. rural set-up. Pakistan is endowed with a large livestock population well adapted to the local environmental conditions. Majority of national herd is maintained by small holders. The se...