The livestock sector provides a large part of the population with a source of livelihood. People grow cattle (small and big ruminants) and draught animals without formal training or support from the government. They depend on the sector for food, money and trade.

Draught and transport livestock in the district are species like camels, horses, mules and donkeys. The use of cattle for draught and transport purpose is common throughout. The district’s camels are famous all over the province. They are originally imported from Afghanistan. The donkey cart is commonly used for transportation and to carry loads.

The large ruminant sector, including cows and buffaloes, is not so much developed. The use of buffaloes for milk is not common because of lack of water and scarcity of fodder. However, the trend of keeping cows for milk has increased. Women milk the cattle and process the milk to produce butter, cheese, etc.

The small ruminants sector of the district is a traditionally important source of livelihood and a token of property for the majority of population in the district. People keep goats and sheep for dairy, wool and meat. The milk of small ruminants is commonly used in the district. Women process the milk to produce cheese, butter, etc. Sheep are usually kept in herds, varying in size from 20 to 1,000 animals. The average herd is around 75. A common man in the district will have sheep and goats to support his family.

The poultry sector is growing at the private sector level for personal use. There is a poultry farm run by the Livestock Department, with a manager, office assistant and other staff, including 8 poultry attendants. The poultry sector for commercial purpose at private level is not so much developed, though progress is being made.

 The most common livestock diseases are viral diseases (HS). There are two kinds of HS: Black water quarter and Anthra. Anthra is common among small ruminants. There are three kinds of parasites, liver flood, wire worm, and lung worm in large and small ruminants. Diseases like "Enterotximia", "caprice ploro phumenia", and "sheep pox" are common in small ruminants. The district is not adequately covered with enough vaccination programmes.

 The most common disease among poultry is the highly contagious "New Castle". The disease is more likely to occur among "farmi" (both broiler and layer) chickens than "Desi" (domestic).

 Zhob district has its own Veterinary Officer for disease control. Mobile dispensaries go around the district from time to time.

 Women use traditional cures to treat animal diseases.

The total number of veterinary hospitals in the district is four. There are 57 veterinary dispensaries, but a number of them are not working because of lack of staff and proper buildings. There is one Artificial Insemination (A.I.) Centre and one Disease Investigation Laboratory (D.I.L) Unit.

At the district level the Livestock Department is headed by an Assistant Director in BPS 18. There are ten veterinary doctors/officers for disease control, artificial insemination and for the veterinary hospitals in Zhob district. The Deputy Director’s office is located in Loralai.

The livestock sector has much potential. It is one of the most important sectors to provide a source of livelihood to a large section of the district’s population. The sector mostly involves small ruminants. Sheep and goats are the most important species found in the district. They are raised herds with herd sizes varying anywhere from 20 to 1,000. The average herd is 75 heads. Zhob district, unlike many other areas in Balochistan, is not faced with constraints to enhancing the productivity of small ruminants due to deteriorating range lands. The carrying capacity of existing ranges is still enough to support the livestock sector.

 The growing of cattle is also very common in the district and the cattle population has grown steadily in numbers, but productivity still remains below potentially achievable levels. For draught and transport purposes camels, horses, donkeys and mules are used.

 Livestock sector development in the district is faced with the following constraints. There are no training facilities for farmers to improve their skills in livestock raising. A number of existing dispensaries are not well-maintained. No systematic and disciplined review of the livestock staff requirements has been carried out by the Livestock Department.

 Women’s role in poultry, milk processing, preparing food and cleaning abodes is not well recognised by men nor the Livestock Department. Measures to promote the livestock sector need to take into account the invisible participation of women, who so far do not have access to either loans or training programmes.

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