The number of small ruminants per flock holding ranges from 100 to 150 heads and the cattle from 5 to 20 or more. For more data see annex (7).

Beside men, women and children are also involved in the grazing of their animals, but, being family workers, they are not paid for their activities. The women also look after the animals within the house. They also collect fodder for the animals and do other work such as milking etc.

The people raise cows for dairy production, bullocks and camels draught animals in farming as well as for nutritional purposes. Buffaloes are raised mostly in the more protected urban areas; in the rural areas; due to harsh weather they are rarely raised. Households usually keep a cow for milk production. The number of cattle was 141,549 in 1986, it increased to 176,309 in 1995 showing a growth rate of 24.6% in the whole of Loralai district. The local nondescript dairy cattle varies from 2 to 5 per household and produce milk in small quantities. Old draught and dairy cattle are being slaughtered for meat consumption. For this meat production there is no infrastructure for processing available.

Bulls and bullocks are used for the draught purposes. Hide and skins are sold in the open market by individuals or through middlemen. In the only government dairy farm there are 62 cows.

Most people keep small ruminants, mostly sheep and goats. They also get their income and nutrition from these small ruminants. Small ruminant herd size varies and ranges from 100 to 150 heads per flock. Culled and surplus male and female animals are brought to market for sale. Prices fluctuate in accordance with the demand, the weight and the season. Wool produced is sold directly or through a middle man in the market. Processing and marketing facilities are not available.

Poultry farming is not developed commercially, apart from some private poultry farms in urban areas. There are 11 of these private poultry farms in the district. There is only one government owned poultry farm having 500 layer birds and 600 broilers. Households keep mostly 4 to 8 poultry birds which are looked after by the women. The small income they get from the sale of eggs is usually kept by them. Poultry is usually raised to meet domestic needs of eggs and meat.

The major veterinary diseases are:

1. Enkro Toximia

2. Anthrax

3. Sheep pox

4. Foot and Mouth

5. Black Quarter

6. Intestinal worms

7. External parasites

8. Rani Khet

9. Surra in camels

10. Piroplasmosis

Common diseases found with poultry are New Castle, chicken pox, coceidiosis, hydropericardiun. Both poultry and livestock mortality is high due to a lack of awareness among the people and of facilities for treatment at their doorsteps. Preventive measures such as prophylectic vaccination are carried out according to a scheduled programme through public veterinary hospitals and dispensaries. The treatment, prophylectic dosing, dipping facilities and veterinary drugs are available at a cost at these hospitals and dispensaries.

There are four veterinary hospitals; one each at Loralai, Makhter, Sanjavi and Duki. There is another village type hospital at Killi Raz Muhammad. There are 111 dispensaries in the district. Besides, there are three Artificial insemination centre (AI) and one Disease Investigation (D.I) Laboratory⁵⁰. The animals slaughtered, treated and vaccinated, including extension work on animal health is given in annex (7).

The Livestock Department in district Loralai is headed by two Deputy Directors, one for animal health and the other for small ruminants production. There is another post of Farm Superintendent at Yetabad. One Assistant Director is also working in animals health. There are two Veterinary Officers engaged; one in animal health and the other in the A.I. Centre. There are two Managers; one for the government dairy farm Loralai and the other for the government poultry farm Loralai. Besides the para-veterinary staff, several A.I. inseminators are also employed in the district.

Much the same as in the agricultural sector; the role of local government in livestock development is very limited. However the Provincial Government seems to be a key player in the provision of services. Federal Government’s involvement is limited to credit and statistics. The commercial activities are (again) primarily covered by the private sector.

Although the livestock sector plays a very important role in the economy of the district, it is not given due attention. Livestock productivity, output and quality are low due to primitive husbandry practices, lack of basic facilites, inadequate animal health and nutrition (nutrition deficiency is 30%). Marketing is undertaken by individual farmers or through middle men. A proper processing or marketing system is not available. Price fluctuations affect the income of the farmers. Beef rates are fixed and are 50% of the mutton rates. In order to increase the livestock and dairy production, the government has provided facilities for artificial insemination, hybrid friesian cattle semen, in Loralai, Sanjavi and Duki area.

The average productivity of small ruminants is below its potential level. Similarly in other livestock a wide gap exist between potential achievable productivity and the present production as pointed out by the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI). The deteriorating range lands are causing shortages of fodder, while species of vegetation are disappearing.

The rapid pace of mechanization has replaced the draught animals. The draught animals are neglected despite the fact that draught animals are vital for transportation purposes, specially in remote and mountainous regions.

Women have a role in livestock raising, particularly in poultry. This involvement of women may be enhanced by providing training to them.

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