Adoption of sheep husbandry practices in Andhra Pradesh, India

S T Viroji Rao, D Thammi Raju* and Y Ravindra Reddy**

AICRP on Poultry Breeding, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030, India
*Department of Veterinary and AH Extension, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad  500 030, India
dtraju@yahoo.com
**Livestock Research Station, Palamner ( Post), Chittor (District), A.P., India

Abstract

Present study was aimed at understanding the socio economic conditions and adoption of sheep management practices in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India as it serves as a bench mark  for evolving meaningful extension strategies and other policy interventions.

The scenario in Chittoor district revealed that sheep production is in the hands of traditional farmers; rearing under extensive system of management. Most of the farmers had poor socio-economic background with illiteracy. Majority is rearing the native Nellore Jodpi – a hairy coated leggy breed with small flock sizes ranging from 25 to 50 heads. Non adoption of ram rotation, periodic culling of unproductive ewes, flushing, supplementary feeding of pregnant and lactating ewes and weaning indicated the very low level of adoption of management practices. Immunization for endemic diseases is followed at the behest of Animal Husbandry department. Health care measures are followed to the moderate extent only.  Because of significant influence of the stockists, the farmers are depending on them for selection of suitable deworming agents rather than a veterinarian leading to exploitation.  Cooperative sector is defunct, which resulted in exploitation by the middlemen in the marketing.

Key words: Extension strategies, profile of sheep farmers

Introduction

Generally shepherds follow certain traditional practices but the modern scientific practices do play a very important role in improving the production. The improved husbandry practices in the livestock farming make it more sustainable and profitable livelihood especially to the rural backward people. The information on the existing sheep husbandry scenario helps to formulate the strategies for adoption of better husbandry practices. Hence an attempt has been made in the present study to find out the profile of the sheep farmers, as it give an overview of their socio economic background and to find out the extent of adoption, so as to address the impediments coming in its way. These aspects help the planners and extension agencies to choose and implement proper ways and means.

Methodology 

The present study was taken up in Chittoor district, where the sheep farming is being practiced since ages. An expost facto research design was adopted in the present study for which 44 sheep farmers were selected randomly. The data were obtained from the farmers by the investigators with the help of a pre structured interview schedule.

Results and discussion 

Profile characteristics of sheep farmers

Education

The development of individual is significantly influenced by his education and the experience as it brings change in knowledge, skill and attitude( KSA) but it was revealed from the Table 1 that majority of the sheep farmers were illiterates (40.9%), followed by read and write (38.7%), up to high school (11.4%) and can read only (9.09%).

This clearly indicated that the sheep farmers were illiterate which may due to their low socio economic status and many of them are nomadic and hence they are deprived of the functional literacy in many cases.

Family

It was evident from Table 1 that majority of the sheep farmers (52.3%) were still living in the joint family system, despite opposite trend as mostly seen in urban areas (Raju et al 2006) please reference this type of statement). Nuclear families are possessed by about 48% of the respondents, which may be due to their education and exposure to mass media. (A Joint Hindu family consists of all persons lineally descended from a common ancestor, and includes their wives and unmarried daughters). A nuclear family can be any size, as long as the family can support itself and there are only parents and children)

Family size

The family size was more than 6 in many of the families (54.5%) as evidenced by the Table 1. The remaining 45% of the respondents were having the family size less than 5. The trend indicated that the sheep farmers had not recognized advantages of small families. It is the general perception of sheep growers to prefer bigger family which helps to share the work load. Especially male children are of immense help during migration and penning season. The prevailing situation was due the fact that majority of them were illiterate and had limited / no access to various sources of information.

House

Most of the sheep farmers (93.2%) in the study area owned houses and very few respondents (3 nos) were living in the rented houses. But the houses possessed by the respondents were mostly (45.5%) kutcha, followed by RCC structures (27.3%) and with asbestos roof or tiles (20.5%). It can be concluded that the sheep farmers’ low economic status preventing them to have good housing facilities with permanency and minimum essential things.

Assets

The present study also focused on the possession of assets also as it gives us an understanding of the sheep farmers’ capability to acquire the different material things in their farming. The data presented in the Table 1 revealed that only 38% of the respondents had electrical motors and only one had a tractor for his agricultural operations. This revealed that most of the farmers dependent on others for implements to carry out their agricultural operations on hire basis. Their socio-economic condition does not allow for asset formation.

Livestock possession

From the Table 1, it was revealed that about 45% of the sheep farmers possessed cattle, followed by backyard poultry (13.6%); buffaloes (4.55%) and goats (2.27%).

Generally, small and marginal farmers prefer milch cattle / buffaloes or work cattle depending upon their need and efficiently utilize the agricultural by products. Information on possession of the livestock helps in understanding the choice of shepherds and the compatibility with sheep production. Study area i.e. Chittoor district is major milk shed known for highest crossbred cattle population which justifies possession of milch cattle by 45% sheep growers which are mostly looked after by family members. The average herd size is two milch cattle maintained by grazing in CPUs supplemented by crop residues. But surprisingly proportion of farmers (13.6%) having back yard poultry that does not require additional investment is also low.            

Breed and flock information

It is essential to identify different aspects of the sheep possession, as husbandry practices depend on the type, number, source of procurement of animals etc. The data were obtained from the sheep farmers and presented in the Table 2.

From the Table 2, it was evident that majority of the sheep farmers had Nellore Jodipi in their flocks and the remaining 11% possessed either non descript or mixed type of flock. The study area is the native tract of Nellore breed which is hairy coated and tallest among Indian breeds known for mutton production. It is originated from Nellore, Prakasam districts and adjoining areas in Andhra Pradesh. People prefer this breed as suits to the existing climatic conditions.

Flock size

Significant variation in the average size of the flock was found among the sheep farmers of the study area. The variation in the size is influenced by their socio economic status. The size ranged from 10 to183. The majority of the farmers (50%) possessed their flock size between 25 and 50 numbers, followed by less than 25 numbers (20.5%), more than 100 (11.4) and equal numbers (9.09%) distributed into categories i.e. 51-75 and 76-100. This trend indicates that the sheep possession varied widely among the respondents. It is an important enterprise providing the livelihood to many of the respondents. As half of the respondents had the size between 26 and 50, it can be concluded that this number is the minimum viable unit for a small entrepreneur.

Sources of animals

Rams

The sources of procuring animals is the crucial factor as it significantly influences the breeding performance and subsequent management practices. The adoption of better practices reflects in the economics of the enterprise. The rams used in the flock for breeding purpose are mainly home grown (56.8%). The farmers develop special preference for the best home grown rams. But it would lead to inbreeding and lowered performance. About one fifth of the respondents (22.7%) are hiring the rams during breeding season which avoids maintenance of breeding rams. About 14% of the sheep farmers were purchasing the rams during the breeding season. No doubt it is a good practice, as it introduces new germ plasm into the flock, provided they are purchased from the credible source. Only one respondent resorted to the practice of ram exchange, which can be ignored as the magnitude of the response is very less.

Ewes

Majority of the sheep farmers are building their flocks from the ewe lambs born in their flock. Only 9.09% of the respondents have purchased the ewes from outside sources. These few farmers are also either new entrants in to this enterprise or would like to strengthen their flock.

Adoption of sheep husbandry practices

Housing

Proper housing is necessary to protect the sheep from extreme weather and predators. Nearly 88% farmers possess kutcha house (a temporary house with mud walls and roof made up of tree leaves and other waste materials). These animal houses are having less ventilation and mud flooring predisposing the stock for disease spread (Sharma 2001). There is a need to educate the farmers to have a scientifically designed animal house with proper ventilation and drainage may be built with locally available material to prevent the disease outbreaks.

Penning of sheep in agricultural fields after the harvest is a common practice in this state which is beneficial to both shepherds and land owner. However, care must be taken to protect the flocks from extreme climatic conditions.

Breeding

The rams are mixed with flock and all the flocks are going for the natural services. The sheep farmers keep the rams along with the flocks all through the year. Two breeding seasons exist in sheep. Main season extend between June – August during which period nearly 80% of the ewes come to estrus. Off season extends between January – March during which period remaining ewes come to estrus. They are exploiting the advantages of these breeding seasons to the maximum.

Only one fifth of the respondents are aware of the advantages of ram rotation. This aspects needs to be considered by the Extension agencies and provide the required inputs through training programmes, on farm demonstrations etc so that farmers derive the benefit. About 50 % of the respondents are monitoring the ewe performance. It is a good sign that half of the respondents are monitoring the ewe performance, which indicates that they are aware of the advantages of it. The other respondents should be educated on these activities. On the other hand, no single individual is following flushing of the breeding stock, which improves the conception rate considerably. The sheep farmers are to be thoroughly educated and the extension personnel should put the concerted efforts on this aspect.

Management and feeding

It was evident from the Table 3 that certain of the management practices are followed to a moderate extent such as culling of adult stock (59.1%) and monitoring the ewes performance. But no respondents is adopting weaning, use of mineral supplement and providing pregnancy allowance. Very few (4.55%) are following the practice of lamb feeding. This is an alarming situation as the respondents are not aware of the important management practices. The Animal Husbandry Department, Extension agencies should strive hard to change the attitude of the farmers and make them to adopt the best management and nutrition practices. These practices directly reflect on the profits of the enterprise. Better adoption of management practices makes the farming viable and sustainable.

Health practices

Deticking and deworming practices

Simple health care measures viz. deticking and deworming will dramatically improve the flock performance. But only 43.2 and 54.6% farmers are following deticking and deworming. They too follow the above measures on occasions when government or non-government agencies take up mass deworming and deticking programmes. There is a need to sensitize the farmers by informing them about the advantages of  taking up such activities on regular basis. Even those few farmers who are taking up deworming activity, procure the required deworming agent not on the advice of veterinarians after conducting the faecal analysis, thus exploited by stockiest.

Immunization

The study area is endemic for certain diseases like Enterotoxaemia and Anthrax. Animal Husbandry department is taking up regular immunization programmes. That is the reason 90% of the farmers flocks are covered under vaccination programme.

Health care providers

Perusal of the Table 3 indicated that nearly 85% farmers approach veterinary doctor or a para-veterinarians only occasionally.

Lack of awareness and accessibility of veterinary service providers are the primary reasons. There is a dire need to strengthen the Animal Husbandry service sector through providing gross root level workers as most of the farmers are poor and can not hire services of veterinarians. However, slow and concerted efforts must be made to stimulate affordable farmers to make use of paid veterinary clinics for efficient and timely service.

Marketing

Shepherds are exploited by middle men or butchers to the tilt in the study area. Failure of co-operatives and backwardness of sheep farmers are the twin causes for exploitation. Perusal of the Table 3 indicated that 75% of the farmers sell their stock in the shandies or to middle men. Further no farmer is selling their stock on body weight basis. Hence, there is an urgent need to educate the sheep farmers and prevent them from exploitation. Strengthening of co-operatives and contract farming can help the farmers in a big way to come out of the clutches of middle men.

References 

Sharma G R K 2001 Factors related with adoption level of farmers about improved sheep rearing practices. Indian Veterinary Journal 78(5):440-441

Raju D T, Gnana Prakash M, Viroji Rao S T and Srinivasa Reddy M 2006 Socio-economic and livestock aspects of different production systems - Indian case study. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 18, Article #174. Retrieved March 30, 2008, from  http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/12/raju18174.htm

Received 16 May 2007; Accepted 30 March 2008; Published 3 July 2008

Go to top