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Pakistan’s livestock sector is built on a foundation of genetically superior native breeds — globally recognised for heat tolerance, disease resistance, and high milk and meat production. LDDB works to conserve, improve, and commercialise this irreplaceable genetic heritage.
Buffalo
Pakistan’s buffalo breeds are among the world’s finest dairy animals — the backbone of the country’s dairy industry and responsible for its 4th-place global milk production ranking.
Habitat: Central & Southern Punjab (Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan)
Asia’s highest-yielding dairy buffalo and the foundation of Pakistan’s dairy industry. Recognised as one of the world’s premier dairy breeds, Nili-Ravi buffaloes are now found throughout Pakistan and exported internationally.
Milk Yield
1,800–2,500 L/lactation
Butter Fat
6.5%
Lactation Length
322 days
Adult Weight (Female)
350–450 kg
Habitat: Sindh — Indus River belt from Kashmore to Shah Bandar coast
The Kundhi is a massive, jet-black buffalo native to Sindh’s Indus river delta — highly adapted to hot, humid conditions. Named for its distinctive fishhook-shaped horns, it is a reliable dairy animal in the lower Indus basin and coastal farming systems.
Milk Yield
1,700–2,200 L/lactation
Butter Fat
>6.5%
Adult Weight (Female)
300–400 kg
Maturity Age
36 months (female)
Habitat: Swat District, KPK (Khwaza Khella & Madyan areas)
A unique and distinctive buffalo breed named after the local Aziz Khell tribe of Swat valley. Notable for wide colour variation (including rare albino animals) and adaptation to mountainous terrain. Known for docile temperament and moderate dairy productivity.
Milk Yield
~1,800 L/lactation
Live Weight
350–450 kg
First Calving
~45 months
Calving Interval
18 months
Cattle
Pakistan’s cattle breeds encompass world-class dairy performers and hardy drought-adapted types — a diverse genetic portfolio managed and promoted by LDDB.
Habitat: Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Multan, Faisalabad districts — Punjab
Pakistan’s premier dairy cattle breed and one of the world’s finest in tropical conditions. Sahiwal cattle are globally renowned for heat tolerance, disease resistance, and high milk production. In great international demand — exported to Australia, Africa, and multiple Asian nations.
Milk Yield
1,500–2,200 L/lactation
Fat Content
4.5%
Lactation Length
235 days avg
Adult Weight (Female)
300–350 kg
Sindh & Balochistan (Lasbella)
A compact, hardy breed with characteristic red body colour from the Mahal Kohistan mountain region. Highly heat tolerant — popular in tropical countries and exported widely for its dual-purpose performance in difficult environments.
Milk Yield
1,200–1,700 L
Fat Content
5%
Cholistan Desert, Southern Punjab
Native to Pakistan’s Cholistan desert — one of the world’s most extreme arid environments. Exceptionally heat and drought tolerant, Cholistani cattle are a critical climate-resilient genetic resource for the future of Pakistan’s livestock sector.
Use
Dual-purpose
Adaptation
Extreme arid
Dir, Chitral & adjoining areas — KPK
A small, mountain-adapted cattle breed from the highlands of KPK. Exceptionally hardy in steep terrain with limited feed resources — an important genetic resource for Pakistan’s mountainous northern communities.
Nationwide (dairy colonies & progressive farms)
Crossbreeds of Sahiwal and Friesian/Jersey breeds that combine high milk production with local adaptability. Widely adopted by progressive dairy farmers in Punjab and Sindh. LDDB promotes judicious crossbreeding within controlled programs.
Commercial dairy farms — mainly Punjab
Holstein Friesian and Jersey cattle maintained on large commercial dairy farms. Achieving high productivity under intensive management with supplemented nutrition and controlled housing environments.
