Livestock in the context of Swat is an integral part of all farming systems and crop-livestock interactions dominate. Livestock have been a major source of food security, providing milk, dairy products and meat at weddings and funerals, and a major source of income for the farmers. Around 90% of farmers keep livestock. Farmers in valleys with irrigation facilities and close to urban centers tend to keep more buffaloes than cows for milk production. Buffaloes are stall fed whereas cattle are grazed. A typical household with 1.5 hectares of irrigated land keeps 2-3 buffaloes, 1-2 cows, 3-4 sheep and goat and 6-10 chicken. In rain fed (barani) areas, cows predominate as they can be grazed and thus requiring less extra feed. Farmers with more than 4 hectares of land usually keep a bullock if tractor services for ploughing are not available. During displacement, livestock were lost due to death from lack of water, fodder, stray bullets and raids by combatants, whereas crop losses were mainly due to missed harvest.

Returning families of District Swat who have already incurred high expenses because of displacement have an urgent need for cash and means of livelihoods. Access to income opportunities was very limited since there was very limited daily work (marble factories have closed due to a lack of electricity), and cash crops have been lost as part of the missed harvests. Savings and assets (including 70% of all livestock) have largely been depleted, and there is an urgent need for external assistance.

Recognizing the important role of livestock, LASOONA in collaboration with Oxfam GB decided to undertake a livestock intervention program to help the conflict -affected families restore their livelihoods.

The interventions were part of LASOONA and Oxfam GB Emergency early livelihood recovery for conflict-affected people in NWFP. The project was implemented in 5 Union Councils of District Swat namely Barabandia, Kuzabandai, Hazara, Kuz -Abakheland Bar-abakhelof Tehsil Kabal.