ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: The Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) has started a nation-wide livestock survey 2006 to assess the production capacity of livestock in the country Federal Secretary FBS Asad Elahi in a statement issued on Thursday said that the survey was in full swing and being conducted by Agricultural Census Organization of the statistics division.

Mr Elahi said first phase of the operation would cover 11 districts of Punjab and 10 districts of Sindh — Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Cholistan, Rahimyar, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Kasur and Okara, Khairpur, Nausheroferoze, Nawab Shah, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparker and Badin.

District staff of Livestock and Dairy Development Departments of the provincial governments was extending full cooperation in this venture. The staff, deputed for this purpose, has already been trained by the Master Trainers of Agricultural Census Organization.

The secretary said this census was based on sampling in the districts whereas complete enumeration would be carried out in Greater Cholistan and Tharparker. The scope of census would cover all the commercial livestock — cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, horses, mules and asses. They would be categorized on the basis of age, sex and breed.

Mr Elahi said the census will also assess the existing production of milk in the country especially in the far flung rural areas of Sindh and Punjab provinces.

The production capacity of milk and its position of increasing demand would be assessed for making valuable planning for the dairy development in the country, he added.

The government was interested in boosting the dairy industry, which would not only create job opportunities but increase the nutrition value of the poor people and children as well.