IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON KANNIADU GOAT FARMING SYSTEM IN TAMIL NADU
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Date
2022
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Abstract
The world has undergone notable changes due to climate change and India is no
exception to it. The indigenous goats are sturdy and disease resistant, but vulnerable due to
frequent exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Goat breeding provides a source of
income for the vast majority of farmers. Besides, goat-dependent livelihoods are becoming
extremely vulnerable as climatic changes worsen. A study on impact of climate change on
Kanni Adu goat farming system in Tamil Nadu was undertaken in Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli
and Thoothukudi districts of Tamil Nadu to assess the knowledge and perception of goat
farmers on climate change; to study the temporal variations in management practices and
production of Kanni Adu goat farms; to find out the relationship of production performances
with climate variability, management practices and socio-economic factors; and to evaluate
the adaptation measures followed by goat farmers. Data from 381 respondents were collected,
using a proportionate random sampling approach over 25 villages with a pre-tested interview
schedule. The analysis of socio-economic characteristics of the Kanni Adu goat farmers
revealed that an overwhelming majority of respondents (98.43%) had not migrated to other
places for employment, 96.85% had not attended any training programmes, 95.01% had low
exposure to the mass media, 91.34% had low social participation and 88.45% were belonged
to nuclear families. Further, more than two-thirds of respondents (76.64%) had medium level
of credit orientation, 76.71% had medium annual income, 72.70% had minimum flock size of
15 goats, 73.75% were male, 66.67% belonged to the BC community and 64.04% reared only
Kanni Adu goats. Besides, more than half of the respondents (57.48%) were elderly farmers,
52.49% had veterinary facilities within 5 km radius, 52.49% were landless, 51.18% had goat
rearing as the primary occupation and 50.39% had a medium level of market orientation. In
addition to the above, more than two-fifths of respondents (47.77%) were aware of climate
change from their personal experiences, 44.36% had high economic motivation, 44.09% were
illiterates and 44.36% had 15 years of farming experience.