Livestock keeping is an important source of income and employment in the district. Its contribution to the district's economy in terms of value of the production and employment has not been determined, but is believed to be close to that of crop production. Important livestock are goats, sheep and cattle. Buffaloes are found, too, but in a relatively small number. Donkeys and camels are found in good number and are important sources of draught power for farming and haulage.

Study of trends in size and composition of livestock population in the district is marred by non-availability of relevant and accurate up to date data. Only the livestock censuses of 1976 and 1986 can give an idea as to the approximate size and composition of the district's livestock population and its trend. The 1976 livestock data is of no help because it is inclusive of Sibi and Ziarat. The results of 1996 livestock census are not yet available. For data in the livestock sector see also annex 6.

In 1986, Sibi district had 59,301 Livestock Units (LUs). The corresponding figures for 1996 are not available. A near approximation to the current livestock situation is furnished by the Pakistan Census of Agriculture (1990) according to which in 1990, Sibi District had 56,776 LUs. The 1990 Agriculture Census estimate of the district's livestock population is believed to be on the low side, because it was primarily the Census of Agriculture, not of livestock, and as such livestock holders' representation in the sample (on which the census estimates are based) was not adequate. The 1990 Agriculture Census data are, however, not thought to be wide off the mark. On the basis of discussion with agriculture officers and others in the district, it can be concluded that in 1990, the district's livestock population would be around, or a little more than the LUs of 1986. Furthermore, the 1995 situation would be approximately the same as the situation in 1990. This stagnation is attributable chiefly to stagnation and deterioration in pasture facilities, fodder supply and an increase in slaughter rates.

In livestock management, the entire family participates. Those keeping large herds employ wage paid workers as well, but normally it is a family managed enterprise. Within the family the main participants are women and to a lesser extent children. Women do the entire or most of the work in respect of cattle shed cleaning, feeding the animals, milking, etc. As it is a family enterprise, household members, whether men or women, attending to their own animals are not paid for the work.

In 1986, cattle accounted for 45 percent of the total livestock units in the district. In 1990, the corresponding figure was 30 percent, and the 1995 figure would not be different. Causes of decline in percentage of cattle after 1986 could not be ascertained.

The only authentic data on the number of cattle per household are provided by the 1990 Census of Agriculture, according to which the agriculturists in the district had (in 1990) 5.27 dairy/beef cattle and draught animals per household. The distribution was: 3.90 cows and bulls; 0.17 buffaloes; and 1.20 drought animals. The 1995 situation is believed to be the same.

On this subject too, recourse has to be made to the 1990 Census of Agriculture, as no more recent source is available. According to the census, the district had 42,003 goats and 28,072 sheep in 1990. Out of the total of 4,326 households covered by the 1990 Census of Agriculture, 1,567 households had sheep and 3,872 had goats. Goats and sheep are kept at domestic level in small numbers, as well as in herds of varying sizes. About 45 percent of the goat or sheep owners had 1-4 animals. Those keeping herds of more than 50 animals accounted for 12 percent of the goat or sheep owners. Keeping of small ruminants has gradually received a commercial touch. Yet there is a limit on the number of sheep and goats the district can hold in view of the presence of grazing lands. There are no reports of sizeable pasture development in the district. Hence, it is no surprise that households maintaining only 1-4 sheep/goats constituted the single largest category in 1990. The existing situation in not likely to be materially different.

During 1994-95 a total of 31,314 animals were slaughtered in the district. Goats accounted for 51 percent and sheep for 42 percent of the slaughtered animals. These are Livestock Department's estimates and these are believed to be on the low side. The actual number of animals slaughtered in the district must be more than twice the above numbers. There is a slaughter house in Sibi town, but it is closed down. Thus, all animals, whether in the town or villages, are slaughtered in shops are at home, as the case may be.

Poultry farming on a commercial scale has not yet taken root in the private sector. The solitary government poultry farm at Sibi had 8,034 birds including 6,534 broilers in 1994-95. Broilers are available in the market in abundance. The main sources of supply are Quetta and Sukkur. Poultry keeping is, however, fairly popular at domestic level. Both local and improved types (fayumi layers) are found in the district. Fayumi is a good layer, and is, therefore becoming popular. At domestic level, women look after poultry, and manage to an extent the sale of eggs. Exact nature and extent of women's participation in sale of chicks and hens could not be ascertained. It is there, but not on a large scale.

The average size of flock at domestic level is around 8- 10 birds. Poultry keeping as a domestic commercial enterprise is almost non-existent. People keep poultry mostly for their own consumption and for guests. Poultry does not constitute a regular item of domestic consumption. It is, however, mostly found on the table in case of festivities and in case of guests.

The district has two veterinary hospitals, 22 veterinary dispensaries, one artificial insemination centre, and one disease investigation laboratory (DIL) unit, under the overall control of the Assistant Director, Livestock Development Department, Sibi District. These veterinary institutions have a total staff of 150 people, including seven veterinarian and 47 Stock Assistants. The total budget for 1995-96 was Rs. 4.21 million (Rs. 3.84 million for pay and allowances and Rs. 0.36 million for contingencies). During 1995-96, the Veterinary hospital/dispensaries treated and vaccinated 167,567 animals. Thus, one veterinarian attended to 3,096 animals during the year or ten per day (assuming 300 working days a year) - a figure too good to be believed. Cost of treatment borne by the government was Rs. 25 per animal (spent on staff's salaries, medicines etc).

The number of animals treated and vaccinated in different years may fluctuate violently because of outbreak of diseases and also due to migration of cattle to Sind Province when there is a draught in Sibi. There is, however, found scepticism on the accuracy of disease control data originating from official sources. The figures relating to animals treated seem to be exaggerated.

The Livestock Department provides medicines for livestock at 50 percent of the costs, while nothing is charged for treatment services. Most of the livestock owners are unable to afford medicine even at 50 percent subsidy.

The veterinary offices existing in the district are: Livestock Development Department, Sibi division, headed by a Deputy Director; Livestock Development Department, Sibi district, headed by an Assistant Director; a Beef Research Centre; and the Government Poultry Farm.

The services provided by the public sector and other agencies are shown below.

Legend: - no involvement

X minor involvement

XX substantial involvement

XXX major involvement.

The livestock sector of Sibi district is one of the major sources of its income and employment. The district has a large and deep rooted tradition of livestock raising, but this advantage is not being properly exploited. Shrinking grazing facilities, expensive medicines for livestock, farmers ignorance of modern methods of livestock management, etc., are important problem areas in the livestock sector. The veterinary services performance leaves much room for improvement. These issues need to be studied and appropriate measures need to be adopted for livestock development, which along with development of crop farming can make a good contribution to the farmers well being within a short period of time.