INDIGENOUS CATTLE-REARING AMONG THE DAIRY FARMERS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY IN KARNATAKA
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Date
2023
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ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
The present study entitled Indigenous cattle-rearing among the dairy farmers:
An exploratory study in Karnataka was taken up with the aim of exploring livelihood of
indigenous cattle keeping farmers, document existing management practices in rearing
cattle, production performance, preferential traits of breeds, attitude towards rearing
indigenous cattle, constraints in cattle-rearing and efforts of different agencies in
conservation of indigenous cattle. Exploratory and ex-post facto research design with case
study method was employed. The study was purposively conducted in six districts of
Karnataka which is having three registered indigenous cattle breeds namely, Amritmahal,
Hallikar and Malnad Gidda. One hundred twenty indigenous cattle owners from each breed
were selected thereby making a total of 360 respondents. Data were collected using semistructured
interview schedule by personal interview method. Respondents with a mean age
of 42.96±0.45 years with primary to secondary school level education, nuclear family type
with small to medium family size, having annual income of medium to the low, land holding
of semi-medium to small, mass media exposure of very poor to poor and low to medium
social participation, medium to low extension agency contact, low to medium level of risk
orientation, innovative proneness and economic motivation. From indigenous cattle, each
household earned an average of ₹16876 per annum, with a mean share of 24.82% in annual
family income. Annually, around 198 man-days of employment were generated from
indigenous cattle. The average daily consumption of indigenous cow milk was 1.22
liters/household. The annual mean FYM production was 5.98 tons per household. Around
56.67% of the respondents considered rearing indigenous cattle as the security against
uncertainties and 63.33% symbolized social status. High adaptability was first ranked
preferred trait in indigenous cattle followed by multi-utility, easy maintenance, traction
power and religious/cultural sentiments. Significant differences were found between the
breeds with respect to age at first calving, lactation length, dry period, inter-calving period
and service period. Majority of the respondents using both natural service and artificial
insemination in indigenous cattle breeding. Grazing cum stall feeding was commonly
practiced feeding method in all the breeds except in Malnad Gidda, wherein 95% depend
on open grazing. Most of the respondents feed concentrates and green fodder to indigenous
cattle on seasonal/ production basis. Mixed type of cattle shed was commonly seen, located
adjacent to farmers’ residence. Vaccination of indigenous cattle was widely practiced with
occasional deworming. Cent per cent of respondents feed colostrum to new-born but only
after expulsion of placenta. Knuckling and stripping were common milking methods being
followed. Producer-Brokers-Buyers link was the common marketing channel for trade of
indigenous cattle under unorganized local livestock market. Four separate case studies were
also done including a Math, a goshala, a government cattle breeding farm and a progressive
farmer, all of whom are working for conservation and development of indigenous breeds of
Karnataka. The study concluded that indigenous cattle keeping happened to be one of the
important livelihood sources for the farmers. Along with supplementing family income,
they also play a major role in achieving the nutritional security, enriching land through
FYM, providing employment opportunity around the year for better utilization of family
labour and act as security during uncertainties. Majority of the respondents had neutral
attitude towards rearing indigenous cattle and pluralistic agencies like SDAH, religious
institutes, NGO and progressive farmers working for conservation of indigenous cattle; but
it needs extension interventions for convergence of their efforts.