Current livestock marketing and its future prospects for the economic development of Balochistan, Pakistan

In Pakistan, marketing of livestock and its products is dominated by the private sector. Information regarding the marketing of livestock and its products is necessary for knowing the current status and re-organizing these markets for increasing their efficiency. Secondly, it is the stated policy of the government to increase the export of agricultural products to lessen the net trade deficit. In the past, relatively more emphasis is placed on enhancing the production and productivity of livestock and its products ignoring the marketing aspects. Any lopsided production augmentation strategy could not be fruitful unless the marketing aspects are adequately addressed. Livestock marketing is the most important segment of livestock business. Hence, for ensuring reasonable returns to the producers as well as protecting consumers' interests, an efficient marketing system is necessary. Efficient marketing systems promote production and efficient prod uction systems attract marketing agents. In Balochistan livestock are generally marketed either at village level by personal contact between buyer and seller at special places called livestock markets organized for animal trade. These livestock markets are organized at different levels such as; sub-tehsil, tehsil and district levels on daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and sometimes yearly bases. These markets are traditional; therefore both buyers and sellers are mostly well informed about these market days or dates, as they are remained un-changed since ages. In addition some special livestock markets are also organized on provincial/regional festivals. Daily based special markets are also organized at least 2 - 3 weeks before the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, the Muslim festival. There are no public markets in Pakistan all are private sector. In general, both small and large ruminants are traded in the same markets, however at some places, buffalo, cattle, sheep and goats are als o traded in separate markets. For instance, in bakker mandies, only small ruminants are marketed. In villages, depending upon the nature of need arisen, the farmers choose time, place and agency for disposing their animals. This paper is an endeavor to purport the marketing of livestock in Balochistan due to its magnitude role in the economy of Balochistan.