Livestock is an important source of livelihood for the majority of the rural population. It not only generates income for flock owners, but it also a major source of nutrition. The presence of vegetation in the hilly parts of the district makes these parts particularly suitable for livestock rearing. For nomadic families it is the main source of income. Unfortunately, the most recent official figures are those of the livestock census of 1986 for the old Kalat district.

In Kalat camels, horses, mules and donkeys are used for draught purposes. The nomadic families use camels and donkeys for transport. They traditionally also keep cattle.

Balochistan most recent livestock census was carried out in 1996, although its results are not yet available. The present information is gained from the livestock projection made for 1996 by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department of Balochistan. It is unfortunate that there is no documentation regarding the cattle and dairy farms in the private sector. According to the local authorities two government dairy farms meet the demand of 6 – 8 percent of the population. The remaining demand is met by the private sector. The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) and commercial banks provide loans for the improvement and expansion of livestock activities.

The sheep and goats are small ruminants. The rearing of small ruminants is a traditional activity. It is a major source of mutton and milk. Most of the nomadic families and housing units of rural areas have herds of 15 to 20 ruminants. After agriculture, livestock is the main source of their income. The prices of ruminants are not fixed. It depends upon the production, demand and supply, size and quality of the ruminant. However the price ranges between Rs. 1,500 to 3,000 of a normal ruminant. The people cut the wool of sheep twice a year and sell it in the local market. Women and children are also involved in keeping the herds of small ruminants.

In the district there is only one government poultry farm while in the private sector seven poultry farms are functioning, with an average of five hundred to seven hundred layer birds and broilers. In rural areas each family keeps 4 to 6 or more poultry birds to meet their domestic need for eggs and meat. Women usually look after the flock. Sometimes they sell the eggs and birds to supplement their family income. Indeed, poultry is an important income generating activity for rural women. The poultry farming has much potential in the area. If technical know-how is provided to the housewives the sector can well flourish in the area. Agriculture Development Bank (ADBP) provides loans for promotion of poultry activities in the area but this facility is limited only to the large scale commercial production. The loan facility should be extended up to domestic poultry activities. Reliable figures on poultry could not be retrieved.

Livestock, like other animals, face certain diseases. The most prevalent diseases in Kalat district are foot and mouth disease, long worms, round worms and tork.

The Livestock Department also provides services through mobile units to control the animal diseases. During the year 1994-95 the livestock department has provided treatment to 125,332 animals, vaccinated 128,066 and castrated 1,690 animals. During the year 1995-96 the number of treatments vaccination and castration was 65,678, 35,005 and 432 respectively. The figure decreased during the year 1995-96 due to the fee charged by the government for treatment and castration. Previously it used to be free.

In Kalat, 2 veterinary hospitals, 22 dispensaries, and one mobile unit are functioning. The mobile unit provides service on the spot where the nomads are camped. One Artificial Insemination Center (AIC) and one Disease Investigation Laboratory unit (DIL) is also serving at Kalat. Due to the very limited staff and funds, it is very difficult to extend veterinary services to the remote areas of the district.

At district level the Department of Livestock is headed by the Assistant Director. He supervises all the activities of his Department in the area. The Department also supervises the services provided by the veterinary institutions. The veterinary institution is headed by a doctor who is assisted by two veterinary officers. The Department is facing financial problems in carrying out its activities. The staff is unable to reach remote areas of the district due to lack of transport and funds. The Department has also a mobile unit to provide the services to remote areas. It is very difficult to cover all the population of livestock with the limited funds and medicines.

The Department of Livestock provides veterinary services, technical know-how and general guidance to the people who have livestock, while ADBP provides loan for the extension of livestock activities. The private sector controls marketing, price setting, input supply etc.

The livestock sector plays a significant role in the economy of Kalat district. It is an important source of livelihood and a major source of income for livestock owners. The district has vast potential to increase its production of small ruminants, provided disease control is improved. In this regard, farmers need to be educated through livestock extension services.

The Department of Livestock is functioning very actively in the district, although it is difficult to cover the remote areas of the district with the limited resources. The promotion of livestock can bring socio-economic change and development in the area. It has been observed that people have great desire to increase their livestock activities. The Department of Livestock can provide basic training and guidance to the people, particularly to the housewives, to rear poultry birds in a modern scientific way. This will increase their family income. Lack of awareness of the common people about the functioning of the Livestock Department deprive them of the facilities they can have for the development of their home poultry from this Department. This problem can be solved by propagating through electronic and print media.

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