Trends and Growth in Livestock Population in Sindh: A Comparison of Different Censuses

Livestock represents an important component of the agricultural sector in Pakistan especially Sindh. Indeed, crop and livestock activities are, to a great extent, interdependent upon each other, for their functioning within the farm sector. The latter provides inputs like farm yard manure (FYM) and draught power for the crop sector and, in turn uses fodder, crop products and residues. The present study has, therefore been undertaken to see the trend and growth rates of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels in Sindh during 1955 to 1996 livestock censuses. The study uses the livestock census data for 1955, 1960, 1972, 1976, 1986, and 1996. The study reveals that the population of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels has become steadily more important in the livestock economy of Sindh during the last two livestock census as compared to other provinces. The two types of livestock that showed relatively high growth rates over the four decades (1955-1996) are goats and sheep; the cattle, camels and buffaloes recorded relatively low growth rates. The highest number of cattle, sheep, goats and camels in Tharparkar are mainly glaring because the valley of Nagarparkar is richer in vegetable growth, which supports these types of livestock. A large number of buffaloes in Hyderabad and Nawabshah are mainly found, because in these two districts there are a large number of big farmers who can afford their farming in order to sell their milk.