Tharparkar, a district spanning 19,637 square kilometres, lies in Pakistan’s Sindh province. Tharparkar’s livestock population exceeds 6 million. But the region paints a picture of beauty and adversity, for beneath the alarming mortality figures lie deeper issues that hamper human existence in this geographically, culturally, and religiously diverse region.
The Thar desert is characterized mainly by marginal and diversified agriculture, reflecting the interaction of soil type, crop diversification, livestock grazing, crop management, and migration during lean periods for livestock feeding and off-farm work. Monsoon rains are the only wet period in the desert.
Kharif cropping is the main option, fully dependent on monsoon rains; low crop productivity results in food production. Crop yields are generally low except when there is heavy and occasional rainfall. Therefore, livestock becomes the major stabilizing factor for sustaining agriculture.
The livestock is a component of the farming system. However, it becomes tough in the drought season from February to May-June. These are the months when farmers have to cover large distances along with their livestock in search of grazing rangelands. They travel westward and ultimately reach the neighbouring districts of Umerkot and Mirpurkhas, etc., putting a lot of pressure on the fodder resources in those areas.
Patterns of Livestock Grazing
The concept of stall feeding livestock is not common in Thar. Here, livestock mostly depend on field grazing in the ranges and in the fields adjacent to the goths when there are no crops. The average distance of grazing fields from the village is about 3 km, and livestock grazing is mostly a male-dominant activity. Nearly 80% reported that one male adult was responsible for the grazing activity, whereas the remaining 20% reported more than one person for the same activity.
Usually, in this situation, different people for day and night shifts go for grazing. In about 25% of families, children were also involved in the grazing of the livestock. However, overgrazing is becoming a looming challenge in the desert; the situation is rapidly depleting the endangered palatable grass species in the area. An urgent ban should be imposed to carry out grazing at an optimum level for obtaining maximum benefit out of rangeland resources.
“Social activist Nalechango shared that the major source of livelihood for the people of Thar is rain-fed agriculture and livestock. Compared to other parts of Pakistan, the meat from Thar’s livestock is delicious and well-liked. He suggested that the government should provide opportunities for livestock keepers to sell their animals in major markets”.
Protecting Herds from Diseases
The depleting health of animals is another growing concern, as the residents are primarily dependent on them for their livelihood. When diseases break out, mostly veterinary care is not available, and the farmers have to depend on traditional methods, as well as seek the advice of spiritual leaders. Mortality rates in the event of disease were found to be quite high in the case of sheep, goats, and donkeys as compared to other animals.
Livestock Nutrition and Feeding
Local farmers say that about 62% in the study area feed their livestock with millet and guar crop residues during fodder shortages. (December to June). Nearly 23% of farmers reported that they did not use any crop residues. No effort has been visible by the farmers to cut and store grasses, which are in abundance in the rainy season, and use them for feeding their livestock in the drought months.
Stall-feeding is common in the Thar Desert. Only the milk animals, when they produce milk, are stall-fed during December to July, i.e., the months of occurrence of rainfall. Common concentrates that they use are guar, millet grindings, wheat and rice bran, and wheat bhusa.
Unhealthy Grazing Patterns
The concept of stall feeding to livestock is not common in Thar, and mostly livestock depend upon field grazing in the ranges as well as in the fields adjacent to the goths when there are no crops. The average grazing distance from the village is about three kilometres. Grazing of livestock is mostly a male-dominant activity. Nearly 80 percent reported that one male adult was looking after the grazing activity, whereas the remaining 20 percent reported more than one person for the same activity.
Usually, in this situation, different people for day and night shifts go for grazing. In about 25 percent of families, children were also involved in the grazing of the livestock. It is important to point out at this stage that overgrazing is a big problem in the desert, and this situation is rapidly moving towards depletion of the endangered palatable grass species in the area. It is urgently needed that some sort of control should be imposed so that grazing activity can be carried out at an optimum level for obtaining maximum benefit out of rangeland resources.
“Social activist Nalechango shared that the major source of livelihood for the people of Thar is rain-fed agriculture and livestock. Compared to other parts of Pakistan, the meat from Thar’s livestock is especially tasty and well-liked. He suggested that the government should provide opportunities for livestock keepers to sell their animals in major markets”.
Animal health was found to be an area where a lot of improvement is needed. It is the only cash surety for the farmers in times of need. In the incidence of disease, mostly veterinary care is not available, and the farmers have to depend on traditional methods, as well as seek the advice of spiritual leaders. Mortality rates in the event of disease were found to be quite high in the case of sheep, goats, and donkeys as compared to other animals.
“Veterinary Doctor Abdullah shared that government veterinary hospitals are often closed due to the unavailability of staff. These facilities are located far from livestock keepers and are not properly constructed to meet the needs of the local communities. During the rainy season and even in normal times, livestock owners have to spend large amounts of money on animal medicines.”
How Genetics and Nutrition Impact Milk Yield
Cows and sheep, or goats were the main milk-producing animals. When there was a sample of grass available in the range, cows produced almost double the milk that was produced in the deficit period. The pattern was of low to light milk yield with respect to rainfall zones. A similar pattern was found in the milk yield produced by sheep and goats.
“Rani, a livestock owner, shared her views, saying, “We do not sell milk; we only sell ghee. During the rainy season, we distribute milk to needy people.”
The Hidden Challenges Livestock Farmers Face
The major constraints faced by the farmers while raising livestock are drought, minimal marketing facilities, and disease. Due to the non-availability of a livestock market nearby, the livestock is usually sold in the villages, where lower rates are offered by beoparies. High mortality rates were due to the unavailability of veterinary hospitals in the Thar area.
Changing Migration Habits
The dry period normally lasts from December to January unless there is enough precipitation. The farmers in the Thar start a temporary migration to the areas in the interior of Sindh in search of food for their animals. Usually, their migration involves male family members who take along their herds and look after the dry period in the irrigated areas. Sometimes, this migration involves all the family members moving along with their children and livestock for the same period and travelling long distances, reaching as far as Nagarparkar, almost 200km.
Although their return to Thar depends upon the rainfall, an overwhelming majority, at around 85 percent, reported that they are back by June to August. While migrating, the farmers have to travel long distances to reach the places where they can find food and feed for their animals. Livestock production is the dominant activity of the desert economy; it plays a crucial role by ensuring subsistence and security against crop failures under drought conditions.
Besides, it is also a status symbol in the area. The presence of better ranges in the high rainfall zone helps farmers to raise more animal units. Farmers in the high rainfall zone were keeping significantly higher numbers of animal units. The stall feeding of animals generally starts when the grazing forages are not available in rangelands. It starts in December and ends in April every year.
“Social activist Abdul Qadir shared that every third year, Tharparkar faces a drought, forcing people to migrate to the barrage areas along with their children and livestock. During these droughts, no fodder is available for the animals.”
Animal diseases are a common problem in Thar majority of 85% reported that no veterinary personnel have visited the villages. Livestock are important components of the Thar farming system. There is a need to conduct further research to document the animals’ production differential and their implications for animal breed improvements.
Animal health is also important for profitable livestock production. It may be improved by an effective breeding and feeding program, along with the provision of on-time veterinary aid to the farmers. Technical training about vaccination may be arranged through a crash program.
“Atta Muhammad, owner of Azad Livestock Farm in Tardos, shared that farmers need modern techniques for effective livestock management. They also require proper training on disease prevention and control. In Tharparkar, livestock keepers have very limited access to veterinary facilities. He suggested that the government should provide subsidized rates during drought seasons, as drought recurs almost every third year in the Tharparkar region.”
This would be a good step by the government towards promoting the pastoral economy. Tharparkar district is one of the biggest potential livestock-market zones in Sindh and needs to focus on planning to promote the livestock sector. Most people of the area depend on an agro-pastoral economy for their livelihood. It, fully or partially, contributes to the economy of every household of about 1.6 million people in the district.
Thar needs urgent priority in livestock development; Authorities should adopt a holistic plan that includes introducing crossbreeds, promoting dairy farming, and expanding animal health facilities. Installing solar water pumps, ensuring affordable fodder, improving pasturelands and rangelands, and developing markets for livestock and related products such as hides and wool are also mandatory. The Sindh government should impose Section 144 to protect public grazing commons, preserve fodder during the monsoon, and prevent land degradation.
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Ali Nawaz Rahimoo is a social development professional and freelance writer. He can be reached at anrahimoo@gmail.com.
