National Symposium on Livestock Breeding Policy and Action Plans

May 13-14, 2011

at
Golden Jubilee Celebrations, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Pakistan has a huge potential in the livestock sector. Coordinated and continuous efforts both in private and
public sectors are required to tap the available opportunities for its development. The national livestock breeding policy
and action plans were finalized in 2003 with the consensus of different stakeholders. Livestock breeding policy measures
identify the need to increase productivity per animal and to preserve and improve the genetic quality of indigenous
livestock breeds in light of their better disease and heat resistance qualities. The policy recommendations focus on
conserving domestic livestock breeds of both small and large ruminants. The policy emphasizes that crossbreeding in
cattle should only be carried out with non-descript cattle and not with established cattle breeds. Importation of exotic
cattle and semen on the other hand does not require any compulsions. Cattle crossbreeding for beef has started for Halal
meat export market without safeguarding indigenous breeds. A practicable policy needs to be based on recent
population trends and future scenarios backed up by institutional and legal frame work.
Many new institutions have emerged in the recent past. Examples are Research Center for Conservation of
Sahiwal Cattle, Buffalo Research Institute, Camel Research Institute etc. New boards and companies are also in place to
encourage commercialization of dairy and meat products. Academic institutions have also come up with different
degree programs to supply trained manpower required in the changing scenarios. With global warming, a reality, species
such as donkeys, camels and indigenous chicken also can not be ignored. Moreover, international agreements such as
Interlaken Declaration and Global Plan of Action ratified by Pakistan has certain obligations. Provincial led livestock
developments due to devolution plan further demands adjustment of different stakeholders to higher expectations. All
these developments necessitate revisiting of provincial breeding policy.
The Punjab provincial breeding policy initiatives will be discussed in this symposium. Policies and action plans for
cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, equines, camels and indigenous chicken will be presented by the resource persons for
further deliberations and legislation. In the symposium guidelines will be prepared for different stakeholders to develop
further strategies for finalization of policy and action plans to cater the needs of livestock development in future.
Following presentations will be made during the symposium by the persons from the institutions indicated
against each.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Nili-Ravi, Nili and Ravi breeds of buffaloes by Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki
Sahiwal Cattle by Research Center for Conservation of Sahiwal Cattle, Jhang
Cholistani Cattle by Government Livestock Farm, Jogaitpeer, Bahawalpur
Crossbred Cattle (both dairy & beef) by LPRI Bahadarnagar, Okara
Dhanni and Lohani Cattle by BLPRI, Kharimurat, Attock
Dajal, Rojhan and other cattle breeds by Directorate of Farms, L&DD Department, Govt. of Punjab Lahore
Sheep and Goats (all breeds) Directorate of Small Ruminants, Multan
Camel (all breeds) by Camel Research Institute, Rakh Mani, Bhakar
Indigenous Chicken by Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi
Equines by Directorate of Farms, L&DD Department Govt. of Punjab, Lahore

Organized by:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; Directorate General
(Extension), Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab Lahore.
Co-sponsored by:
GEFUNEPILRIFAnGR Asia Project