Veterinary and agricultural specialists collaborate to address multiple issues caused by climate change, opening the path toward a stronger livestock industry, improved food safety, and vibrant rural communities.
Animal health and farming specialists have cautioned that rising temperatures are exacerbating an ongoing emergency, presenting a serious risk to the nation’s farm animals industry, availability of nourishment, and life in countryside areas, with native creatures continuing to decrease.
Although Pakistan has abundant natural resources and high-quality native livestock varieties, the country still imports more than 500,000 cows and 1 million units of semen each year, a pattern that specialists have called “concerning.”
They were discussing during the first seminar titled “Climate Change and Its Effect on Animal Health,” conducted as part of the Green Veterinary Drive 2025, hosted by the Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship Society from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences (FAVS), Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam, on Tuesday. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr Altaf Ali Siyal, stated that climate change has moved beyond being solely an ecological problem and now poses a serious risk to livestock, farmers, and the country’s economy. He highlighted that Sindh is the province most affected by climatic changes, with catastrophic floods in 2010 and 2022 destroying countless homes and agricultural fields, along with losing millions of animals, resulting in severe harm to rural communities’ means of living. “Increasing temperatures, lack of water, shortage of feed, and frequent flooding are seriously affecting animal well-being and output,” he emphasized. “Animal health isn’t only a matter for veterinarians—it is a crucial national challenge linked to ensuring enough food supply, reducing poverty, and maintaining economic balance.”
Previous Vice Chancellor of SAU, Dr. Fateh Marri stated that livestock accounts for more than 60 percent of agricultural output and significantly contributes to GDP growth via dairy, meat, and associated commodities. Nevertheless, weather-related changes in precipitation and temperature are posing greater challenges for animal husbandry.
“We need to implement flexible approaches to keep up with these developments,” he remarked. “Events such as seminars and workshops play an essential role in equipping the livestock sector to face upcoming difficulties,” said Dean FAHandVS Dr Syed Ghiyasuddin Shah Rashdi. He emphasized that livestock serves as a key revenue generator for the rural middle class, where women have a vital part to play. According to him, veterinary students remain highly impactful in supporting local communities’ well-being even amidst growing issues related to climate change.
Presenting the key speech titled “Climate Change and Livestock Health/Production in Pakistan: From Physiology to Policy,” renowned veterinarian Professor Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Nizamani highlighted that Pakistan’s livestock industry, responsible for more than 60 percent of agricultural added value and almost 12 percent of GDP, faces ‘serious threats’ due to climate change.
He mentioned that Pakistan is at the forefront of the current situation, where temperature increases occur more quickly compared to the world average. He noted that over one million animals perished during the 2022 floods. Additionally, the agricultural sector is undergoing significant changes, moving away from small-scale farming towards extensive commercial megafarms. These operations meet city demands but pose a threat to resilient native breeds such as Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar, which are progressively being substituted by foreign varieties like Holstein Friesian.
“This genetic mixing is threatening biodiversity and presenting significant dangers to food safety,” he cautioned, noting that Pakistan currently experiences a 37 percent nationwide shortfall in protein for livestock feed, with rising temperatures having lowered dairy output by 10-30 percent.
The gathering was also attended by Prof. Dr Ahmed Nawaz Tunio along with societal leaders including Sher Muhammad Pirzada, Hasnain Ali Koondhar, and Zarsht Rao. Awards and diplomas were presented to the speakers and students during the final ceremony.
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