Livestock figures for Bolan district are not available. The table underneath indicate the livestock census figures of 1986 for Kachhi district, i.e. for Bolan and Jhal Magsi district together. The 1996 figures are extrapolated from the 1986 figures. Based on those figures it is concluded that the livestock sector is relatively underdeveloped within the district. The per capita livestock population is comparatively low.

* dairy cattle are mainly cows; buffaloes are rare because of lack of water.

** the figure of 23,464 includes all draught animals, i.e. horses, donkeys and mules

Source: Livestock Census 1986 and P&DD Livestock Survey 1996.

Though underdeveloped, the livestock sector has potential to support the livelihood of the rural population. Women, in particular, are active in the sector in terms of milking, milk processing, clearing the abodes, preparing the fodder and looking after diseases through traditional healing. The role of women in the livestock sector is hardly recognised.

The large ruminant sector, i.e. cows and buffaloes, provides some livelihood to the villagers. Cows are held for dairy and breeding. Buffaloes are rare in the area because of the lack of water and pasture.

Camels, horses, mules and donkeys are used for traction and transport. They are taken care of and bred without much support sought or secured from the Livestock Department. Pack animals are still important to the economy of lower and middle class people, particularly in rural areas.

People are more inclined to breed small ruminants, like sheep and goats. They are the major source of livelihood for a large number of people in the district. An average goats herd comprises seventy to hundred goats. The size of a sheep herd is smaller. Goats are bred for meat, dairy and trade. Breeding of small ruminants is done in traditional ways. Government hardly pays any attention to the promotion of small ruminants breeding, though Bolan still has unexploited potential for the sector. There is enough grazing land and labour (children and elderly people) available.

Poultry farming is a women’s task. They sell the eggs and chickens on nearby markets or to middle men to obtain some additional income, who resell them on markets in Dhadar, Sibi and Quetta. In that way poultry farming provides a source of income to the lower and middle class population in urban and rural areas. The poultry sector in the district has been growing especially in rural areas. The sector could be further developed, but lack of funds and knowledge on how to prevent diseases are major constraints. One in five households in the rural area keeps poultry. The number of hens varies from 7 to 70.

There are two poultry farms owned by the government. Ten farms are privately owned.

Poultry is most threatened by New Castle, a mortal disease. Farmi (both broiler and layer) chickens are more susceptible to this disease than Desi (domestic) chickens. The number of people approaching the Livestock Department for poultry disease control is increasing.

There is no veterinary institution in Bolan district that provides training. The Assistant Director and Veterinary Officers in different parts of the district take care of people's problems regarding diseases. Their services are not free, but prices are low. Vaccination is free for livestock and poultry

At the district level the Livestock Department is headed by an Assistant Director (BPS 18). He is assisted by five veterinary officers (BPS 17), of which two in Dhadar, one in Bhag and one in Mach. Each officer has a number of stock assistants. The Assistant Director and veterinary officers are Master degree holders in veterinary sciences.

All livestock services are supplied by the government. Except in slaughtering, the private sector is hardly involved in service delivery in the livestock sector as indicated in the table below.

Legend : - no involvement

x minor involvement

xx substantial involvement

xxx major involvement

The underdevelopment of the livestock sector is a major development issue. People are informally familiar with the breeding and looking after of small ruminants and poultry. The provision of adequate information about loans and possible supervision of their utilisation by the authorities would bring fruitful results. The Livestock Department and the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan can be helpful in this respect.

The promotion of the livestock sector, particularly small ruminants and poultry, can increase the income level of the lower and middle classes of society. If the government provides the people small loans, adequate health facilities for small-holders and landless farmers and necessary training in small ruminants and poultry breeding, this would be advantageous for the livestock sector.

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