Eco-friendly livestock management practices followed by tribal households of Narmada valley region of India

Abstract

A field survey was undertaken in Narmada valley region, four taluka of Narmada district of south Gujarat to collect first hand information on management practices of dairy animals followed by tribal peoples. The breeding, health care and milking management practices were studied using pre tested questionnaire through three stage sampling. Two villages, from four taluka were selected. From each village, 10 tribal farmers were selected randomly with a total of 80 respondents. Study revealed that maximum farmers (41.30 %) of this area were less educated belongs to middle age (53.80% 30-50 years) category having medium size family (5-8 members). The estrus detection in cattle was based on sign and symptoms (100.0%) rather than using teaser, moreover main symptoms for identification of animal in heat were bellowing and thin mucus discharge (58.80%). The farmers (86.30%) were observed to inseminate their animals within 12-18 hrs of heat. Method of breeding adopted in area was mostly (46.30%) by combination i.e., Natural and artificial insemination (A.I.). Mostly the pregnancy diagnosis (P.D.) was practiced by 18.80% of the farmers. Dry period was more than three months in both indigenous cows (92.40%) and buffaloes (91.20%). Castration was performed in 72.70% of male animals of age more than 2 years. Vaccination was adopted by 53.80% of farmers. Regular de-worming was also practiced by 3.80 and 7.50% farmers for milch cow and calf respectively. Clean milk production was well adopted by farmers of the area. Knuckling (95.0%) was common method of hand milking followed by full hand type (3.80%) and stripping (1.30%). The management practices followed by tribal farmers of area were exceptional for few facets however most of the practices required to be improved a lot.

Reproductive Performance of Buffaloes under Field Conditions in Bundi District of Rajasthan, India

“…However, a small number (7.22 %) of the farmers followed pregnancy diagnosis. These findings are similar to Patel et al, (2014), Kishore et al, (2013), Tanwar et al, (2012) and Dhiman et al, (1990). It was very interesting to know that 16.11 percent of farmers were keeping the breeding records, however, the records were not complete.…”

“…Only 13.33 % farmers were using artificial insemination. Yadav et al, (2009), Sinha et al, (2010), Tanwar et al, (2012) and Patel et al, (2014) also reported similar practices, supporting the present findings. This situation revealed that the dairy farmers had bred their animals with the locally available bull in their village or vicinity area.…”

“…Table 2 further indicates that bellowing and vaginal discharge were the most common symptoms observed by majority of respondent farmers for heat detection in addition to observing the frequent urination and mounting on other animal. Similar observations were also reported by Brar and Nanda (2004), Tanwar et al, (2012), Kumar et al, (2014) and Patel et al, (2014). As far as the method of breeding is concerned, majority of respondents were practicing natural service.…”

“…Farmers were keeping records of peak milk yield, date of insemination and breed of bull or semen straw used. Patel et al, (2014) also reposted similar practice.…”

Productive-Reproductive Performance and Problems of Dairy Animals in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of Kutch and North Gujarat

“…The mean calving interval and postpartum estrus interval were lower in crossbred cows than in zebu cattle and buffaloes, and also in animals of semi-arid areas than the arid areas. These findings also supported the earlier observations of Patel et al (2014) that the majority of dairy farmers (91.30%) bred their animals after 3 to 5 months postpartum and hence had extended calving interval. A longer calving interval in buffaloes might also be due to summer stress, silent heat problems and low conception rates, apart from delayed postpartum breeding.…”