Constraints faced by goat keepers in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find out the constraints faced by goat keepers in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. In this study, four tehsils were selected, namely Rajsamand, Nathdwara, Deogarh, and Kumbhalgarh, based on their high goat populations. From each tehsil, five villages were randomly chosen, and 10 respondents with at least ten goats were surveyed from each village, totaling 200 respondents. Data was collected using a pre-tested, well-structured interview schedule. The present study showed that 69.5% of respondents faced severe constraints, with 12% experiencing the most severe and 18.5% experiencing the least severe constraints. The main constraints identified were grazing land shortage (MPS: 94.16), lack of veterinary services (MPS: 91.5), and insufficient credit facilities (MPS: 87). Other significant constraints included a shortage of feed and fodder (MPS: 85.33), non-availability of green fodder (MPS: 80.5), and a lack of knowledge regarding the selection of breeding bucks (MPS: 78.16). Additional issues were a lack of knowledge about scientific goat housing (MPS: 73.33), the high cost of breeding bucks (MPS: 71.5), the high price of concentrate feed (MPS: 69.66), and a lack of knowledge about balanced feeding (MPS: 65.5). Further constraints included a lack of knowledge about mineral mixture feeding (MPS: 62.33), the high price of mineral mixtures (MPS: 61.16), low productivity of goats (MPS: 59.16), parasitic problems (MPS: 54.83), and a lack of knowledge about deworming (MPS: 50.16). Based on the findings, it is recommended to develop appropriate strategies for the advancement of goat farming and support for goat farmers.