ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2022-23 reported 5.8 million donkeys in the country.
The “beasts of burden” population has progressively increased over the past few years, with 5.5 million in 2019-2020, 5.6 million in 2020-21, and 2.7 million in 2021-22.
Moreover, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s annual report revealed that the country’s cattle population has grown to 55.5 million, buffalo to 45 million, sheep to 32.3 million, and goats to 84.7 million.
While, Camels, horses, and mules have remained at 1.1 million, 0.4 million, and 0.2 million for four years.
The cattle sector contributed 62.68% of agriculture value added and 14.36% of GDP in FY2023.
It increased 3.78% from 2.25% previous year.
Over 8 million households in rural Pakistan raise livestock and get 35–40% of their income from it.
While, In FY2023, livestock gross value addition rose 3.8% to Rs 5,593 billion.
Moreover, Livestock industry net foreign exchange profits account for 2.1% of total exports.
It noted that the government has concentrated on this sector’s potential for economic growth, food security, and poverty alleviation.
“Private sector-led development with public sector providing enabling environment through various policy interventions” is the livestock approach.
By improving veterinary health coverage, husbandry, animal breeding, artificial insemination, balanced ration feeding, and livestock diseases of trade and economic importance, regulatory measures have increased per-unit animal productivity.
