Page 162 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

Chapter 32

LIVESTOCK

Livestock sector is a source of 65% of income for the rural populace of the
district, and also provides them food security in the form protein of animal
origin. In fact, in the Livestock Census conducted in Punjab in 2018,
Muzaffargarh was at the top in the entire province with a livestock population
of 5,346,080; Dera Ghazi Khan stood 2 with 4,680,996.
nd
DEPARTMENTAL EVOLUTION
Prior to 1960, no development worthy of note took place in the sector in the
district, though a pair of oxen has always been considered status symbol for
a land holder. In fact, in the District Gazetteer of 1964, it has been
categorically said, “there is no proper breed of note in the district and the
animals are of very low quality”. Livestock keeping was confined to meeting
the domestic needs of milk only. Livestock was actually a component of
Agriculture Department then. Veterinary institutions had been established
at Thana level. The incharge of the Veterinary Hospital was designated as
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon. In those days, the appointment of para-
vets/menial staff and the construction of veterinary hospital/dispensaries
were regulated by the District Council.
In 1973, Livestock was separated from the Agriculture Department and made
an independent department. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon was re-designated
as Veterinary Officer. The Department bloomed with the establishment of 8
Artificial Insemination Centers in Muzaffargarh. By 2001, it had around 171
personnel working for it.
In 2004, a state of the art diagnostic laboratory with necessary equipment
and trained human resource was also established in the district. It was
further strengthened with a mobile unit for providing coverage up to the
village level.

In 2005, a development project, Support Services for Livestock Farmers,
equipped the Department with 76 new Civil Veterinary Dispensaries cum
Artificial Insemination Centers and supporting technical manpower in the
form of Veterinary Assistants, Artificial Insemination Technicians and
Laboratory Assistants. The strength of the department thus rose to 256
employees.
The Department continued to grow, and at present, it is headed by an
Additional Director Livestock (BPS-19) who is assisted by, amongst others, 3
Additional Principal Veterinary Officers (BPS-19), 4 Deputy Directors (BPS-
18), and 8 Senior Veterinary Officers (BPS-18). The total sanctioned strength
of the Department is 668 employees of various grades.
The detail of the veterinary institutions is as follows:

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