Sheep rearing in Pakistan

Source of leather raw material

Sheep rearing in Pakistan is as old as the Indus valley civilization. Sheep rearing is the important source of employment and income for the villagers and wandering tribes of Pakistan. Sheep rearing in Pakistan is widely distributed including mountainous regions, pastures on plateau as well as agricultural lands. Warm and dry areas are ideal for sheep rearing because grass of small height is attractive feed for sheep. Sheep are reared here for wool, mutton and skin. Since other cattle are not kept in the areas of severe climate, sheep and goats are reared because they can bear hard weather. This is the reason that sheep are reared in the desert of Thal, Chulistan, tribal areas and Baluchistan plateau. As Pakistan produces wool used in carpet knitting, she imports high grade wool from Australia and New Zealand. The species which are reared for wool includes Bibric, Hernai, Rakhshni, Hasht Nagri, Kaghni, Bumbi, Kacchi, Gomal and Domino. Pakistan, for sheep rearing and wool production, occupies 10th and 13th position respectively at world level. Woolen textile and product industry is vast in Pakistan but due to shortage of high grade wool it is suggested that local species of sheep should be replaced by cross breed so that not only local need of wool may be fulfilled precious foreign exchange be also saved.