GIRISH, M.R.K., NISHMITHA,2023-01-142023-01-141-01-31https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810192352The present study was conducted in South Transect of Bengaluru (Bengaluru Urban and Ramanagara districts) to map the sheep value chain; to assess the financial viability, production efficiency of sheep enterprise and marketing of sheep; to analyse the consumer preference for sheep meat; and to identify the constraints in sheep rearing. The major actors in sheep value chain in the study area were input suppliers, sheep rearers, butchers, and consumers. The total cost incurred and the gross returns realised per annum for rearing a flock size of 51 sheep was ₹ 2,86,384.62/- and ₹ 4,29,364.83/-, respectively, resulting in a net returns of ₹ 1,42,980.21/-. Labour was the major cost accounting for about 49 per cent of the total variable cost. At 12 per cent discount rate, the NPW, BCR and IRR were found to be ₹ 3,36,569.23/-, 1.24 and 36 per cent, respectively, indicating the financial viability of sheep rearing. In the study area, two channels were prevalent for marketing of sheep, viz., Channel I: Farmer – Farmer and Channel II: Farmer – Butcher – Consumer. Majority (50 %) of the sample sheep farmers sold their sheep exclusively through Channel I while 37.50 per cent of the sheep farmers sold their sheep exclusively through Channel II. Tenderness was the most important factor influencing the purchase of sheep meat by sample consumers. The incidence of diseases and lack of organised marketing facility were the major constraints faced by sheep rearers.EnglishThesis