Centuries-old livestock sharing model helps rural families build better livelihoods in South Punjab

Multan, Aug 5 (APP)::In the villages of South Punjab, an informal livestock-sharing system, practiced for generations, remains a powerful shield against hunger. No paperwork or banks are needed just an old handshake deal where poor families earn a life-changing income, and investors get reliable cash from every animal raised.

         The community-based arrangement, commonly known as the sharing basis system, has survived for decades because it is built on trust, shared responsibility and mutual benefit. Under this model, a person with financial resources buys a buffalo, cow or calf and hands it over to a farmer who has the skills and time to rear the animal but lacks the money to purchase one.

            The farmer bears the responsibility of feeding, caring for, and managing the animal. When it is eventually sold, the investor first recovers the original invested amount, while the remaining profit is divided equally between both partners.

         If the animal is a milking buffalo, the farmer usually keeps the milk during the rearing period, providing an additional source of food and income for the family. It is the beauty of the system; it also manages milk for the family of the poor farmers.

          The system has quietly become an important part of the rural economy in many districts of South Punjab, including Vehari, Khanewal, Layyah, Lodhran, DG Khan, etc, where livestock serves as a financial asset for investors and a livelihood for landless and low-income families.

         Muhammad Ramzan, a farmer who also works at a traditional “tandoor”, said he had been raising livestock under this arrangement for several years.

         Talking to APP, he said an investor named Riaz had purchased a buffalo for around Rs100,000 and entrusted it to him. After proper feeding and care, the animal was later sold for Rs700,000.

        “The investor first took back the original investment, and the remaining profit was shared equally. My share was around Rs300,000,” he said.

       For Ramzan, this income is a lifeline. He says the money will help him pay for his daughter’s wedding and keep food on the table for his family.

       He added that dozens of women in his village were also raising animals under the same system. According to him, many rural women look after buffaloes and cows from their homes, and it enabled them to contribute to household income without leaving their villages.

        For many families, livestock has become more than an agricultural activity. It is the best form of savings that grows over time and can be sold whenever money is needed for weddings, children’s education, medical treatment, or other emergencies.

        It is not just farmers taking part anymore. People from all walks of life, from drivers to market traders, are putting their savings into livestock, turning an ancient village tradition into a popular everyday investment.

        Abdul Ghafoor, a school teacher, said he had invested in livestock being raised by different

farmers.

      “My contribution is the investment, while the farmers contribute their labor, experience and daily care,” he told APP. “When the animals are sold, both sides receive their agreed share.”

     He said he also extended financial support whenever necessary to ensure proper feeding and healthcare for the animals. Although this financial support is not mandatory here, he facilitates the farmer.

         According to him, livestock sharing has become a common practice in many villages, where people living in towns and cities invest part of their savings in animals as a side business instead of leaving their money idle.

      Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Jamshaid Akhtar said the livestock sector remained one of the strongest contributors to the rural economy and continued to provide employment and income opportunities for thousands of families.

     Talking to APP, he confirmed that livestock sharing was a common practice in many villages of South Punjab and had helped strengthen cooperation between investors and livestock keepers.

         He said the livestock department regularly provided vaccination, disease prevention, breeding advice and veterinary services through its field staff and veterinary hospitals.

      Dr. Jamshaid said the Punjab government was also implementing different programmes to support livestock farmers, including soft loan schemes, calf-fattening initiatives and the provision of free animals to eligible widows and divorced women to improve their livelihoods.

        He added there were dozens of schemes for the farmers and their cattle. He further added that livestock always registered handsome growth in the Pakistan Economic Survey Report, being issued annually.

        Both investors and farmers believe that the sharing system represents the best practical example of community-led economic development. Unlike formal business partnerships, it depends largely on trust, local knowledge, and long-standing social relationships.

      As inflation and unemployment continue to put pressure on household incomes, this traditional model is helping both investors and poor farmers benefit from the growing value of livestock. It enables one family to earn through investment and another through hard work, creating a partnership that has remained relevant across generations.

        In an age driven by modern financial systems, South Punjab’s ancient tradition stands tall. It proves that simple, community-rooted deals can beat modern trends, lifting poor families out of hardship and offering a battle-tested model for lasting change.

              In a changing world, this simple village deal remains a beacon of strength and survival.