Pakistan animal feedstuffs policy study

It discusses the future supply of feedstuffs and examines alternative policy options that could support increased livestock production by improving the feed situation. With milk and beef now accounting for around 56% of the total gross value of livestock production in Pakistan, the study concentrates upon the national situation concerning cattle and buffalo. It focuses upon the arable areas where they are kept and examines key crop/livestock interactions. Because of its importance in meeting future human demand for animal protein, the poultry industry has also been included in the study. While commercial poultry units cannot be considered as an integral part of Pakistan"s farm-household systems, the industry depends upon cereals and oilseeds that are produced mainly within these systems. The study documents the growth in supply and consumption of animal products (Chapters 2 and 3), and examines the expansion of supply and sources of livestock feeds (Chapter 4) as well as the evolution of feed consumption (Chapter 5). Chapter 6 provides a brief overview of the mechanics of agricultural pricing policy (Chapter 7) and by a discussion of the impact of current price levels in comparison to the likely cropping equilibrium if parity pricing was to be applied (Chapter 8). Chapters 9 and 10 deal with future supply and demand conditions for livestock feeds and with possible adjustments and policy issues. (Author abstract)