Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles

PAKISTAN

by
Dr. Dost Muhammad
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FAO 2006
 3

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 5

2. CLIMATE, PHYSIOGRAPHY, AND AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES 6

2.1 Climatic influences 6
2.2 Agro-ecological zones 6
2.3 Soils 7

3. RUMINANT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 8

3.1 Nomadic grazing 8
3.2 Semi-nomadic grazing 9
3.3 Local grazing 9
3.4 Grazing in the desert rangelands 9
3.5 Grazing systems in Baluchistan and Sulaiman mountain ranges 9

4. PASTURE RESOURCE 10
4.1 Pastures resources in irrigated areas 10
4.2 Pasture resources in rainfed areas 10
4.3 Pasture resources in natural rangelands 11

5. SEED PRODUCTION FOR PASTURE SPECIES 12

6. ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN PASTURE RESEARCH 12

7. REFERENCES 13

8. CONTACTS 14
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 5

1. INTRODUCTION

Pakistan is located between 24 and

37o N and 61 and 75o E. The climate is
arid with low rainfall and humidity and
high solar radiation over most parts of
the country. Most areas receive less than
200mm annual rainfall, except for the high
altitude northern mountains, which receive
more than 500 mm annually. The rainfall
distribution varies widely: 60% of rainfall
in Sind and Punjab Provinces occurs during
the monsoon season i.e. from July to early
September. Balochistan and the northern
mountains receive maximum rainfall during
October to March (FAO, 1987). The July
2006 population estimate according to the
World Factbook was 165 803 5650 with a
growth rate of 2.09%.
The total land area of Pakistan, including Figure 1. Map of Pakistan
Azad Kashmir, is 88 M ha. The main land
uses in the country are agriculture, livestock production, and forestry. About 5Mha of the cultivated area
(24% of total area) is rainfed while 16Mha is irrigated. Mohammad (1989) and NCA (1988) estimated
that around 60% (45.2Mha) of the total area is rangelands. Most of these rangelands receive less than
200mm rainfall, and are located on rocky soils, deserts, and rough topography. Therefore, productivity is
very low and it is not possible to utilize them for sustained farming purposes. However, these rangelands
partly support 93.5M livestock during the summer (Mohammad, 1989).
Heavy grazing over vast areas of rangelands has gradually put intolerable pressures on land,
vegetation and its inhabitants, such as wild life, farmed livestock and pastoral communities. The main
contributory factors are increases in human and livestock populations. This has lead to an expansion
of dryland farming on marginal lands to satisfy the increasing demand for human food crops, and the
cutting of shrubs and trees for domestic fuel consumption (Aleem, 1980; FAO, 1987; Umrani et al.,
1995). As a result, more palatable grasses, legumes, herbs, shrubs, and trees that once covered the
rangelands have been destroyed, or thinned out, and dominated by unpalatable low quality vegetation.
Therefore, each year inadequate forage during the dry period, combined with drought years, causes
heavy losses of livestock (Alvi and Sharif 1995; Grainger, 1990; PARC, 1998).
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of Pakistan. About 7580% of the population depends
on agriculture which contributes 30% to the Gross Domestic Product. Integrated farming systems are
practised and shortage of feed is a major limiting factor in livestock production.
The livestock population, meat and milk production, and some import data for Pakistan are summarized
in Table 1. In spite of the large milk local production, quantities of dry milk are imported. Livestock

Table 1. Pakistan statistics for ruminant numbers, beef, veal, buffalo meat and milk production, cattle
imports and beef and veal imports for the period 19962005
Item 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Cattle nos. (,000,000) 20.4 20.8 21.2 21.6 22.0 22.4 22.9 23.3 23.8 24.2
Buffalo nos. (,000,000) 20.3 20.8 21.4 22.0 22.7 23.3 24.0 24.8 25.5 26.3
Sheep nos. (000,000t) 23.5 23.7 23.8 23.9 24.1 24.2 24.4 24.6 24.7 24.9
Goat nos. (000,000) 41.2 42.7 44.2 45.8 47.4 49.1 50.9 52.8 54.7 56.7
Beef & veal prod. (,000 mt) 341 398 405 413 420 423 431 441 451 469
Buffalo meat prod. (,000 mt) 376 429 441 454 466 480 494 508 524 531
Sheep meat prod. (,000 mt) 154 155 156 156 157 159 159 161 162 166
Goat meat prod. (,000 mt) 279 279 289 300 310 321 333 345 357 370
Total milk* prod. (,000,000 mt) 23.0 23.6 24.2 24.9 25.6 26.3 27.0 27.9 28.8 29.5
Milk Equivalent imports (,000 mt) 111.8 67.1 114.6 128.2 81.4 33.7 39.3 80.6 61.7 n.r.
Source: FAO Database 2006. n.r. = no record; *Total milk production for cows, buffalo, sheeo and goats.
6 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

is a major source of income in irrigated, arid, semiarid, Table 2. Area under different fodder crops
and rain-fed areas of Pakistan. At present, sheep and and total forage yields/ ha
goats obtain about 60% of their feed from rangelands Crops Area Average yields
(,000 ha) (tonnes/ha)
(Mahmood and Rodriquez, 1991), while horses, Sorghum 515.1 14.8
donkeys, and camels receive about half of their feed Millets 105.1 7.2
requirements from rangelands. In Balochistan, 90% of Guar 311.4 11.4
the livestock feed is obtained from pastures (FAO, 1987). Maize 48.1 19.6
Moth 1.4 12.1
Total area under cultivated fodder crops in Pakistan
Other summer fodder 495.3 33.4
is approximately 2.7 M ha with a production of Berseem 820.1 27.7
53Mtonnes of green fodder (Table 2). Average forage Lucerne 152.2 32.0
yields per hectare are about 19.4 tonnes. Despite the Shaftal 32.6 24.8
high levels of production, there is a shortage of meat, Oats 0.1 3.6
milk, butter and other dairy products in the country. The Rape and mustard 22.1 15.7
Senji 1.3 1.0
consumption of meat is as low as 45kg/head/year, and
Other winter fodder 209.2 21.7
total protein consumption is 45.8 g/head/day, of which Total 274.1 19.4
only 12.2g comes from animal protein.

2. CLIMATE, PHYSIOGRAPHY, AND AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES

2.1 Climatic influences
Pakistan has great climatic diversity due to variation in topography, altitude, and season. Four distinct
seasons are recognized: A cold winter from December to February; a spring season from March to May;
a hot summer from May to August (hot rainy season); and autumn beginning from late September until
frost at the onset of winter.
Most of the rangelands of Pakistan are in arid and semi-arid zones characterized by low precipitation
and extremes of temperature and low humidity. Moreover, drought also occurs in these areas (Umrani
et al., 1996), and exacerbates the effects of overgrazing which results in complete and permanent loss
of some species of vegetation.
The northern areas of Pakistan are located out of the monsoon rain shadow. The natural environment
is harsh, arid with alternating temperatures which are low in winter and high in summer.
Pakistan can be divided into the following agro-ecological zones.

2.2 Agro-ecological zones

(i) The Indus Delta. The climate is arid tropical marine with moderately hot summers and very mild
winters. The mean daily maximum temperature range is 3445 oC in summer and 1920 oC in winter.
The mean monthly summer rainfall (July-September) is approximately 75mm and in winter (December-
February) it is less than 5mm.

(ii) The Southern Irrigated Plains. The climate is arid subtropical and continental with hot summers
and mild winters. The mean daily temperature range is 4045 oC during May to July. The mean daily
minimum temperature in winter is about 8.5 oC. The mean monthly rainfall is only about 1620mm in
summer, with little rain in winter.

(iii) The Sandy Desert. The climate is arid (desert) subtropical with very hot summers and mild
winters. The mean daily summer maximum temperature range is 3941oC and in winter, the mean daily
minimum temperature is about 7 oC. The monthly rainfall varies from 32mm in the north to 46mm in
the south. The winter is practically rainless. Dust storms are common during summer.

(iv) The Northern Irrigated Plains. This zone has a semi-arid subtropical continental climate. The
mean daily maximum temperature in summer is 39.5 oC, and in winter, the mean daily minimum
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 7

temperature is 6.2 oC. The mean annual rainfall range is 300500 mm. Mean monthly summer (July,
August, September) rainfall varies from 108mm in the east to 75mm in the southwest, while in winter,
it varies from 1422mm per month.

(v) The Barani Lands. The climate of this zone is semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters and
with a short dry season in early summer. In summer, the mean daily temperature is 38oC . In winter, the
mean daily temperature range is 36oC. The mean monthly rainfall is approximately 200mm in summer
and 3650mm in winter (December-February).

(vi) The Wet Mountains. The extreme eastern part of this zone could be classified as humid, with
mild summers and cold winters. In summer, the mean daily maximum temperature is about 35 oC. The
monthly rainfall in summer is about 236mm and in winter 116mm. The western part of the zone is
subhumid Mediterranean, with dry summers and rainfall confined to the winter and spring seasons only.

(vii) The Northern Dry Mountains. This zone consists of high mountains covered with snow. The mean
daily minimum temperature varies from 17 oC. The mean monthly rainfall ranges from 2575mm in
winter and from 50100mm in spring. In summer, it varies from 1020mm.

(viii) The Western Dry Mountains. The greater part of this area is semi-arid highland with mild
summers and cold winters. Rainfall and snowfall is confined mostly to the winter season. The mean
monthly rainfall in summer varies from 515 mm increasing to 4595 mm in the northern region.
In summer, the mean daily maximum temperature range is 30 to 39 oC and in winter, the mean daily
minimum temperature varies from 3oC to +7.7oC.

(ix) The Dry Western Plateau. This region has an arid (desert) tropical climate with constant dry
season. The mean monthly maximum temperature range is 3844oC. In winter, the mean daily minimum
temperature range is 36 oC in the north and 11.515 oC along the coast. The mean monthly rainfall in
summer is meagre (24mm) except in the extreme southeastern part where it is about 36mm.

(x) The Sulaiman Piedmont. The climate of this region is sub-tropical continental and is arid and hot.
The mean daily maximum temperature in summer is 40 oC. The mean daily minimum temperature in
winter varies from 5.77.6 oC. The monthly rainfall in winter is about 13mm, whereas in summer it is
about 2138mm.

2.3 Soils
In most rainfed areas of Pakistan, the soils have developed from wind and water transported materials
and consist of loess, old alluvial deposits, mountain out-wash and recent stream valley deposits. Some
are derived from shales and sand-stones while the soils in central irrigated Punjab, NWFP, and Sind
Provinces vary from clay loam to silty loam (Baig et al., 1985). The soils of the huge Thal desert,
Cholistan, and Tharparker belt are alluvial with sandy textured sand dunes covering 50 to 60% of the
area (Khan, 1968). According to SSP (1968), the area consists of the following land forms:

(i) Sand ridges. Over most of the Thal desert, the alluvium has been blown into sand ridges and
hollows. The soils of the ridges consist of very deep, structureless fine sand of varying degrees of
calcareous and colour gradations. All the sand ridge soils are excessively drained and have an average
pH value of 8.3.
Fine material from the ridges has been washed into the hollows and, where allowed to accumulate,
has formed very deep, moderately calcareous, weakly structured soils. The soils of hollows are mainly
well drained and have an average pH value of 8.4.

(ii) Abandoned channels. The soils of the abandoned channels are deposited materials with a wide
range of textures (loamy fine sands to silty clays), and are moderately calcareous with pH values of 8.3
to 8.8.
8 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

(iii) Flood plains. Soils of sub-recent flood plains are moderately deep to deep, dark greyish brown, silty
clay loams, and silty clays with weak to moderate structures and weak lime profile. In southern areas,
reduced annual flooding and a high water table have resulted in alkalization. These soils are dense and
strongly saline with a pH value of more than 9.
In Balochistan, about 80% of the area can be classified as inter-mountain. The remaining 20%
consists of flood plains and alluvial deposits with a high potential for cultivation.
Based on configuration of the land surface, relative altitude, mode of deposition of the sediments, and
degree and kind of soil profile development, Mian and Sial (1986) classified Pakistan into the following
nine geomorphic units:
Pleistocene river terraces
Sub-recent terraces
Flood plains
Indus delta
Loess plains
Sandy deserts
Piedmont plains
Weathered bedrock plains
Mountains
Mian (1985) recognized two main rock groups in the northern areas of Pakistan including igneous
rocks consisting mainly of granites and diorites and sedimentary and metamorphic rocks comprising
mainly quartzite, slate, crystalline schist, marble and limestone. Most of the areas are without soil cover.

3. RUMINANT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The livestock population in Pakistan is supported by feed resources derived mainly from crops, fodder,
rangelands and other grazing areas, and from agro-industrial by-products. It is estimated that existing
feed resources are deficient by 29 and 33% for total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (DP)
respectively. The details are summarized in Table 3.
The overall situation of feed resources available through various sources in Pakistan is summarized
below:
7080% of digestible protein comes from grazing, wheat straw, maize, and millet stalks
Farmers experience two traditional stress periods of fodder shortage - during winter and early
spring
Present feed resources permit animals to achieve only 4050% of their inherent productive
capacity
Major feed resources in Pakistan are distributed as follows:
Grazing and crop residues 75%
Hay & haylage 22%
Oil cakes, meals, animal protein <1%
After harvest grazing and food waste 2%
Crop residues are largely comprised of wheat straw, dry maize, millet, and sorghum stalks
The following major traditional livestock grazing systems are practised in Pakistan (Mohammad
1989).
Table 3. Estimates of available livestock feed and
nutrients in Pakistan
3.1 Nomadic grazing Feed Quantity TDN DP
Climatic conditions and seasonal forage (Mt) (Mt) (Mt)
availability dictate grazing patterns. Green fodder 59.0 8.2 1.1
Dry roughages 48.8 18.2 0.3
Livestock migrate between alpine pastures
Concentrates/agro-industrial by-products 3.2 2.0 0.4
and the Pothwar Plateau in the foothills Range/pastures - 11.2 0.8
of the Himalayas. The livestock spend % deficiency - 29 33
April in subtropical and temperate forest Source: Malik, 1988; Akram, 1987
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 9

grazing areas below 2 000 m. The livestock utilize the alpine areas from June to October, when low
temperatures retard plant growth, and then herders descend towards the plains or low valleys. During
winter, livestock graze in Pothwar scrub ranges, abandoned cultivated lands, or browse in valleys along
water channels, roads, and grazing grounds between agricultural fields.
The herders pay a nominal grazing fee to the Syed families of Kaghan or the Khans of Indus Kohistan
who control the use of alpine pastures. Overstocking has greatly reduced the grazing capacity of these
rangelands.

3.2 Semi-nomadic grazing

This type of grazing is common in the northern areas and in the Chitral alpine pastures. Women look
after the herds and spend the summer in alpine areas. Men maintain food supplies by travelling back and
forth. The winter season is spent around permanent settlements.

3.3 Local grazing

In this system, livestock graze in cultivated lands or adjoining forests throughout the year. Communally
owned areas are heavily over-grazed.

3.4 Grazing in the desert rangelands

In the arid regions of Pakistan, complexity, variability, and uncertainty characterize the grazing systems.
Therefore, management practices are not simple. In desert rangelands, pastoral people respond quickly
to available opportunities and challenges. Behnke (1994) reported that arid land pastoral communities
usually practise an opportunistic form of resource utilization.
Livestock grazing practices in the Thal, Cholistan, Kohistan, and Tharparker desert areas are similar.
The desert pastoral communities have ecologically adjusted themselves to utilize marginal areas which
would otherwise not have been utilized. Other studies also suggest that the nomadic system is an
excellent way of converting scarce vegetation into animal protein (FAO, 1987; Oxby, 1994).
Most of the population is migratory. In early winter, people leave their villages in search of better
grazing and migrate into irrigated areas. In the early monsoon season, when forage is abundant during
July November, they return to their villages and leave their animals to graze. Private livestock are
allowed to graze state owned rangelands after paying nominal grazing fees. Cattle, sheep, goats, and
camels graze the Tharparker and Kohistan rangelands but buffalo are not common. Despite good breeds
of cattle, sheep, and goat, the economic status of nomads is poor (FAO, 1987, Umrani, 1993; Bhutto, et
al., 1993).

3.5 Grazing systems in Baluchistan and Sulaiman mountain ranges

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan. It constitutes about 45% of Pakistans total geographical
area but it has a small population compared with other provinces. Three grazing patterns i.e. nomadic,
transhumance, and sedentary, exist in Balochistan (Bozdar et al., 1989; Nagy et al., 1989). In central and
northern parts grazing systems are centuries old (Nagy et al., 1989).
The ruminant production systems are briefly described below:

Spring-summer nomadic transhumance: In this system, 56% of the sheep, 63% of the goat, 70% of
the total camel population, a few cattle and 70% of households migrate between the highlands and the
lowlands. In winter, the livestock move to the irrigated Sibi and Kacchi plains where they stay for about
4-6 months, depending upon rainfall in the highland region, which governs their return. Sorghum is the
main crop grown in the Sibi and Kacchi plains.
Most of the grain, stems, and stubble are used to feed the migrant livestock and the livestock owners
are required to rent land. With the beginning of the spring, the livestock return to the highland areas,
where they graze for 68 months on rangelands.

Winter nomadic transhumance: In this system, 20% of the sheep, 10% of the goats, and a few camels
of the Pawindas arrive from Afghanistan. Scarcity of fodder during winter coupled with extremely low
temperatures force them to leave their country in search of forage. They stay in the area for four months
10 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

and return again at the start of spring. During their stay, they depend mainly on leaves of trees, stubble,
roughage from fruits and vegetables, and partly on forage from the ranges.

Sedentary nomadic: In this system of livestock feeding, 24% of the sheep and 27% of the goats remain
all year in the area. They depend either on forage from the ranges or from crop lands. In winter, they
receive silage made from wheat, barley, lucerne, and Alhagi camelorum.
The grazing patterns in Sulaiman Mountains are similar to those in the Baluchistan ranges.

4. PASTURE RESOURCE
The total pasture area in different parts of Pakistan is presented in Table 4. Due to misuse and centuries
of overgrazing, the productivity of rangelands has been adversely affected. FAO (1987) has reported
a critical stocking rate of 16 ha/animal unit for low potential ranges. At present, rangelands are
producing only 10 to 15% of their potential. This low productivity can be increased by adopting various
management practices such as periodic closures, re-seeding, and improved grazing management etc.
Small-holders raise ruminants in limited numbers in conjunction with food and cash crop production.
Although cropping patterns vary from region to region, they dictate forage quantity and quality
throughout the year. Pasture resources in the ruminant production systems are presented below.

4.1 Pastures resources in irrigated areas

In this system, cut-and-carry feeding plays a vital role in ruminant production. Every farmer allocates a
piece of land for planting fodder crops in irrigated areas of Pakistan. Usually milking buffaloes and cows
are stall-fed with green fodder and concentrates. The non-milking and draught animals are maintained
on straws, maize stovers, and community grazing lands.
During summer, most land is planted with sorghum, maize, cotton, rice, and sugarcane. Forage
sorghum, millet, and maize provide the bulk of fodder for stall-feeding. Most of the area after rice and
cotton harvest remains in fallow and is used for grazing of volunteer species. During winter every farmer
plants mixtures of Egyptian clover (Trifolium aegyptium) and oats (Avena sativa) according to the land
holding and herd size. Mixtures of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) with rice and wheat straw also
provide feed during winter. Other crop residues such as dry maize and sorghum stalks, sugar cane tops,
and rice stubble are also a component of livestock diets.
With the increased demand for milk, meat, and other dairy products, some farmers cultivate large
areas with lucerne (Medicago sativa), berseem, oats, maize, and sorghum around the big cities and sell
green fodder to farmers raising buffaloes and dairy cows. Urban cattle also graze on vegetable and fruit
wastes. Community and government wastelands are utilized to some extent.

4.2 Pasture resources in rainfed areas

Nearly 24% of the rainfed tract of the country is unfit for agronomic or forestry crops due to unfavourable
soil or climatic conditions. These large areas of land produce grasses and bush. Livestock alone are
capable of utilizing this extensive and renewable natural resource. Animal husbandry thus occupies a
vital place in the economy of the rainfed areas.
Natural grazing on the vast rangelands pro-
Table 4. Area of rangelands in Pakistan
vides about 20% of the nutritional requirements
Province Total area Rangeland area Percentage of
of cattle and 60% of that of sheep and goats. The (M ha) (M ha) provincial area
flocks and herds of the land-less farmers subsist Balochistan 34.7 27.4 79
almost entirely on the rangelands. However, they Sind 14.1 7.8 55
have been badly over-grazed, and palatable spe- Punjab 20.6 8.2 40
NWFP 10.2 6.1 60
cies of grass have perished and been replaced by
Northern Areas 7.0 2.1 30
vegetation that livestock do not relish. The carry- Azad Kashmir 1.3 0.6 45
ing capacity of rangelands has thus been greatly Total 88.0 45.2 51
reduced to 10 to 50% of potential. Source: NCA (1988)
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 11

The number of animals grazed is 34 times the carrying capacity of the rangelands. This not only
causes a very poor state of health and production of livestock, but also widespread denudation and
damage from water and wind erosion. The situation is further aggravated by the seasonal migration of
large numbers of animals belonging to nomadic grazers, such as the Bakarwals from Kaghan (who spend
the winter in the Pothwar and salt grass rangelands) and the nomadic tribes from Baluchistan and even
Afghanistan in the D.G. Khan piedmont areas. The herders exploit the rangelands and contribute little
to the conservation, sustainable utilization or improvement of the rangelands.
Supplementary feed must be provided to the livestock, especially during periods of drought and
scarcity. For instance, perennial grasses, such as sudan grass, Bajra Napier hybrid, or sorghum hybrids
could be grown on part of the cultivated land. Green fodder from these crops could be cut during the
dry periods to improve feed supply during the lean period. Rapeseed can provide green fodder during
January and February, even in drier areas.
A system of mixed farming is practised in some areas of this system, with crop and livestock
husbandry very intimately integrated. This is reflected in the cropping pattern. Although separate areas
of land are not set aside for fodder crops, there is often an admixture of crops with a view to obtaining
some fodder for supplemental feeding of livestock. In large parts of the Barani areas during winter, the
wheat and barley crops have admixtures of rapeseed, chickpeas, and mustards. The summer crops have
admixtures of maize, millets, sorghum, and guar. Some part of every crop is fed to livestock.
This pattern of agriculture has several effects:
Makes it possible for nutrients from the soil to be derived from two levels due to differing depths
of the root systems.
Increases soil fertility by combining cereals with leguminous crops that have the ability to increase
soil nitrogen through the microbes in their root systems.
Avoids total crop failure in case of absence of rains because of the generally lower water require-
ments of the crops from which fodder is obtained.
One or two cuttings are often obtained from wheat etc. for fodder purposes. This cropping pattern has
evolved to meet the food and market requirements in a traditional setting.

4.3 Pasture resources in natural rangelands

The vegetation of Pakistan has great complexity, comprising a wide variety of vegetation types, including
desert, tropical, Mediterranean, and temperate ecosystems. These rangelands extend from temperate
alpine pastures in the northern areas, to Mediterranean rangelands in the western mountains, and to the
semi-arid and desert lands of the Indus Valley. Elevation ranges from sea level in the Thar Desert of
Sindh Province to over 8800 m in the northern mountain region of the Himalayas. The rangelands of
Pakistan have been divided into five major groups (FAO, 1987; Mohammad, 1989; Umrani et al., 1995).
A brief description of each group is given below.

(a) Sub-alpine temperate zone. This zone lies between 2 000 m altitude and the snow line in Azad
Jammu, Kashmir, Swat, Kaghan valleys, and northern areas. These areas provide excellent forage for
livestock grazing during summer growing seasons (Khan, 1979). The major improved grass species
found in the rangelands are Festuca arundinacea, Lolium spp., and Potarium sanguiserba.

(b) Sub-tropical humid zone. The sub-tropical humid zone is represented by chir pine forests but kail
forests also occur on relatively higher slopes in Northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The altitude
varies from 1 000 to 2 000 m. Winters are very cold and grazing is only possible for 23 months
during the summer season. The dominant introduced grass species are Chloris gayana and Dicanthium
annulatum.

(c) Sub-tropical sub-humid zone. The sub-tropical sub-humid zone covers Pothwar tract and the Salt
Range. Soil erosion is a major problem. The zone has high potential for range re-seeding. The major
introduced grass species include Chrysopogon aucheri, Chyrosopogon montanus, Panicum antidotale,
Cenchrus ciliaris, Cymbopogon jawarancusa, Pennisetum lanatum, Cynodon dactylon, Saccharum
apontaneum and Aristida depressa.
12 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

(d) Arid, semi arid desert plains. The Thal, Cholistan, D. G. Khan and Tharparker are located in
this zone. High temperatures and wind erosion are major constraints. Rangelands in this zone have
been heavily over-grazed by local livestock. The major introduced grass species are Cenchrus ciliaris,
Lasiurus sindicus, and Pennisetum orientale.

(e) Mediterranean zone. The high lands of Balochistan including Quetta and Kalat Divisions are
located in the zone. Low and erratic rainfall of less than 300mm is received during winter. Nomadic
and local livestock graze these rangelands heavily. The important grass species include Agropyron
desertorum, Chrysopogon aucheri, and elmus junceus.

5. SEED PRODUCTION FOR PASTURE SPECIES

Pakistan possesses optimum climatic conditions Table 5. Seed production of various fodder crops
for seed production of various pasture species. in Pakistan (tonnes)
Despite a range of research programmes in all Fodder species 1995 1996 1997 1998
four Provinces of Pakistan, conscious efforts have Sorghum spp. hybrid 350 500 700 1 000
not been made to produce sufficient quantities of Sorghum 850 1 000 2 000 5 000
seeds of the required forage grasses and legumes. Millet 670 1 200 1 800 4 300
The main reason may be absence of a local Guar 350 700 1 200 3 300
Maize 10 000 18 000 32 000 36 000
market for pasture seeds. On the other hand,
Berseem clover 3 500 4 800 8 000 15 000
Pakistan produces sufficient quantities of seeds Lucerne 400 670 900 1 500
of cultivated fodder cereals and legumes (Khan Shaftal clover 1 700 3 000 5 000 6 700
and Bhatti, 1996). Also, private seed companies Oats 3 000 6 500 10 000 13 000
produce and import seeds of some cultivated
fodder crops. Details of seed production in
Pakistan are presented in Table 5.

6. ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN PASTURE

RESEARCH

Key Research Institutions and Personnel:

Ashiq Hussain. Senior Scientific Officer, Fodder Programme, National Agriculture Research Centre,
Islamabad, Pakistan.
M.B. Bhatti. Coordinator Fodder Programme, National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad,
Pakistan.
Ghulam Akbar. Director, Range Research Institute NARC, Islamabad. Range agronomist with special
interest in range management.
Muhammad Saleem. Forestry Department Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Mukhtar Ahmad. Assistant Fodder Botanist, Barani Agriculture Research Institute, (BARI), Chakwal,
Punjab, Pakistan.
Mukhtar Ahmad Chaudhary. Fodder Botanist, Fodder Research Institute, (FRI), Sargodha, Punjab,
Pakistan.
Dr. Nasir Mahmood Butt. Fodder Specialist, Neelum Jehlum Valley Development Project, Muzaffarabad,
AJK, Pakistan.
Sardar Muhammad Rafique. Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan.
Sartaj Khan. Senior Scientific Officer, Fodder Programme, National Agricultural Research Centre,
(NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Sarwat Naz. Senior Scientific Officer, Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 13

7. REFERENCES

Akram, M. 1987. Animal feed resources in Pakistan. In: Proceedings of the APO Symposium on Animal Feed
Resources. Asian Prod. Organization Tokyo, Japan.
Aleem, A. 1980. Range management in northern areas. Pakistan Journal of Forestry, 30, 31-38.
Alvi, A.S., and Sharif, M. 1995. Arid zone agriculture and research in Pakistan.
Baig, A.R, M.S. Baig, Q. Ali and C.M.A. Khan. 1985. Agro-ecological zonation of Pothwar. A. Wheat. B.
Maize. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad.
Behnke, R.H. 1994. Natural resource management in pastoral Africa. Development Policy Review. 12, 5-7.
Bhutto, M.A., Khan, M.A., and Ahmad, G. 1993. Livestock breeds of Pakistan. Livestock Division,
Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Bozdar, N., Nagy, J. G., Sabir, G. F., and Keating, J. D.H. 1989. Animal raising in highland Balochistan: A
socio-economic perspective. Research report. International Center for Agriculture in the Dry Areas.
FAO. 1987. Pakistans experience in rangeland rehabilitation and improvement. Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. 70pp.
Grainger, A. 1990. The threatening desert. Earthscan publication Ltd. London.
Khan, C.M. Anwar. 1968. Sand dune rehabilitation in Thal. Pakistan. Journal Range Management. 21 :316-
321.
Khan, M.H. 1979. A note on some grasses relished by Markhor in Chitral. Pakistan Journal of Forestry. pp.
62-65.
Khan, Sartaj, and M.B. Bhatti. 1996. Management and locations for seed production. In: Fodder Production
in Pakistan. Published by PARC and FAO, Islamabad, Pakistan. pp 135-149.
Mahmood, K. and Rodriguez, A. 1991. Marketing and processing of small ruminants in highlands of
Balochistan. Research report. International Center for Agriculture in the Dry Areas, pp. 14-19.
Malik, A.Y. 1988. Feed availability, requirements for animals and current pattern of utilization in Pakistan.
In: Devendra, C. (ed.). Non-conventional feed resources and fibrous agricultural residues, strategies for
expanded utilization. International Development Research Centre, Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
India.
Mian, M. Alim. 1985. Soil Resources of Northern Areas and their Development. AKRSP, Report No.1. The
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan. pp. 5-12.
Mian, M.A. and Sial, M.N. 1986. Geomorphology of Pakistan. International forum on soil taxonomy and
agro-technology transfer. Soil survey of Pakistan, Lahore.
Mohammad Noor. 1989. Rangeland Management in Pakistan. Published by the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Kathmandu, Nepal. p. 193.
Nagy, J.G., Sabir, G.F., and Stubbs, J.M. 1989. Descriptive and diagnostic studies of sheep and goat production
in the farming systems of upland Balochistan. Research report, International Centre for Agriculture in the
Dry Areas, pp. 15-22.
National Commission on Agriculture. 1988. Report of the National Commission on Agriculture, Ministry of
Food and Agriculture, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Oxby, C. 1994. Restocking: A guide VETAID, London.
PARC, 1998. National Forage and Fodder Research Programme. Natural Resources Division, Pakistan
Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad.
SSP. 1968. Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Thal. Soil Survey of Pakistan, Lahore.
Umrani, A. P. 1993. Animal production in Pakistan. Modern Agriculture Pakistan, 4 : 37-40.
Umrani, A.P., English, P.R., and Younie, D. 1995. Range land in Pakistan. Asian Livestock, Bangkok,
Thialand. Xx (3):30-36.
Umrani, A.P., English, P.R., and Younie, D. 1996. A mathematical modeling approach for sustainable
rangeland utilization in Sindh. Modern Agriculture, Pakistan, 7 :4-16.
14 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

8. CONTACTS

For further information on forages in Pakistan, seed sources, etc. contact:

Dr. Muhammad Dost

Fodder Specialist
19 EVA ROAD, Apt # 303
Etobicoke,
Ontario,
Canada,
M9C 4W4
E-mail: muhammad_dost@hotmail.com

Periodic updating will be undertaken by Dr. Muhammad Dost.

[This profile was prepared in 1998, edited by H.M. Shelton and livestock numbers and production
statistics were updated by S.G. Reynolds in November 2002 and October 2006.]