Empowerment of smallholder communities through livestock in periphery areas of cholistan desert,Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Livestock is the prominent feature of rural life and its undocumented economy. the present study speaks about rearing livestock and its impact on social and economic life of locals residing in the periphery of cholistan desert. purposive sampling technique was employed to collect required data from smallholders. for this purpose,103 population units were selected as sample for study from four different union councils of tehsil yazman. however,prior to data collection consent was taken from respondents to be interviewed. the study comes up with the findings that major component of livestock in cholistan entails 70 percent cows,68 percent goats and 47 percent sheep and 78 percent cholistani people rear 5-12 cattle as valuable assets. ownership of the livestock goes up to 62 percent whereas,30 percent people keep animal on sharing basis. the practice of rearing livestock is 69 percent motivated for being prompt income source,67 percent for being occupation of ancestors,65 percent for domestic use,53 percent for its being additional source of income and 35 percent for personal interest. according to 36 percent and 20 percent respondents resale value and production of livestock is reasonable and very reasonable respectively in contrast with 33 percent low and 8 percent very low resale value. it was further revealed that 64 percent respondents use income,earned from livestock,on fulfilling household needs,46 percent spend it for social betterment,45 percent make addition in existing livestock assets,39 percent consume income for maintaining status quo,36 percent invest on education of children,31 percent for getting health services and 27 percent use it on social events. the results of the study revealed general betterment and elevating trend in socio-economic conditions of smallholders through raising livestock.