Assessing Feed and Water Shortages for Livestock during Flood Emergency: Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

The livestock sector is a vital pillar of Pakistan’s rural economy, supporting over eight million households and contributing nearly 15% to the national GDP. However, recurrent flood disasters intensified by climate change pose severe threats to livestock production systems by disrupting feed and water supply chains. This study assesses the magnitude and impact of feed and water shortages on livestock during flood emergencies in selected district of southern Punjab Pakistan. Using a quantitative, survey-based approach, data were collected from 50 livestock farmers through structured interview schedule, followed by statistical analyses using SPSS (Version 26). Descriptive and inferential techniques, including chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression models, were employed to explore relationships among key variables such as feed shortage, water shortage, mortality, and income loss. Results revealed that 84% of respondents experienced feed shortages and 78% faced water scarcity during flood events. The mean feed availability rating was 2.1 ± 0.83 (on a 1–5 scale), with an average income loss of PKR 63,400. Significant associations were found between feed shortage and livestock mortality (χ² = 5.41, p = 0.02) and between water shortage and production decline (χ² = 4.93, p = 0.03). Correlation analysis showed strong relationships between feed availability and income loss (r = –0.64, p = 0.001) and between water shortage and livestock mortality (r = 0.52, p = 0.004). Multiple regression results indicated that feed shortage (β = 23,500, p = 0.001) and water shortage (β = 18,600, p = 0.015) significantly increased income loss, while institutional support reduced it (β = –12,000, p = 0.038). The model explained 62% of the variance in income loss (R² = 0.62, F = 25.3, p < 0.001). The findings underscore that prolonged feed and water shortages during floods severely compromise livestock health, productivity, and farmer livelihoods. Timely relief interventions such as emergency feed banks, veterinary support, and coordinated institutional response can significantly mitigate economic losses. The study calls for an integrated disaster preparedness framework that enhances resilience through early warning systems, strategic fodder reserves, and cross-sectoral coordination to safeguard Pakistan’s livestock-dependent rural communities.

Keywords: Livestock, Feed Shortage, Water Scarcity, Floods, Pakistan