By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Livestock continues to serve as the backbone of Pakistan's rural economy, supporting the livelihoods of more than 8 million rural families and contributing 14.6% to the national gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26.

The survey highlights livestock as the largest component of the agriculture sector, playing a central role in income generation, food security and employment across rural areas.

According to the report, livestock contributes 62.4% of agriculture's value added and 14.6% of overall GDP, making it one of the country's most important economic sectors.

The survey notes that millions of households rely on livestock-related activities, including dairy farming, meat production, poultry, sheep and goat rearing, and animal trading.

For many rural families, livestock serves as a key source of livelihood, contributing approximately 35-40% of their total income. The sector provides employment opportunities throughout the value chain, from animal breeding and feed production to processing, transportation and marketing.

According to the survey, livestock involves more than 8 million rural families in livestock production and contributes significantly to poverty reduction and livelihood security, particularly in remote and underdeveloped regions.

The report highlights the sector's resilience, with livestock growth supported by a 3.46% increase in output despite a 4.5% decline in green fodder availability.

Livestock recorded growth of 3.75% during FY2025-26, compared with 2.95% in the previous year, continuing its role as the main driver of agricultural growth. The expansion was supported by higher production of milk and meat.

According to the survey, gross milk production was estimated at 74.689 million tonnes in 2025-26, while total meat production was estimated at 6.314 million tonnes, including 2.826 million tonnes of poultry meat.

The report notes that population growth, rapid urbanization, and changing consumption patterns have driven an increase in demand for livestock products across the country.

Pakistan's estimated population reached 252.09 million in 2025, increasing the need for food products and creating opportunities for expansion within the livestock sector.

The survey also highlights the importance of livestock for export earnings. Meat, dairy and other animal-origin products offer opportunities for value addition and expanded access to international markets.

Recent efforts to expand access to international markets for livestock products are expected to create additional opportunities for farmers and processors.

According to the report, improving animal health systems, compliance with international sanitary standards and traceability mechanisms remains important for enhancing productivity and competitiveness.

The government continues to support livestock development through initiatives such as the import of high-yielding dairy, beef and mutton breeds, genetic material, disease reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health, and the establishment of the National Animal Identification and Traceability System.

The survey notes that resilience is becoming increasingly important for the sector as changing weather patterns affect fodder availability, water resources and animal health.

At the same time, livestock remains one of the most reliable sources of income for rural communities due to its ability to generate regular cash flow and provide financial security during crop failures.

According to the survey, continued investment in productivity improvement, disease control and value-added processing will be essential for sustaining growth in the sector.

With more than 8 million rural families involved in livestock production and the sector contributing 14.6% to GDP, livestock remains a cornerstone of Pakistan's agriculture sector and rural economy.

Credit: INP-WealthPk