Studies on socio-economic characteristics of goat and sheep owners in district Sawai Madhopur of Rajasthan

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic characteristics of goat and sheep owners in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. A total of 49 households from five villages in the Tehsil-Bonli area were surveyed. The study revealed that 28.57% of households owned less than five goats, 57.14% had between five to ten goats, and 14.29% possessed more than ten goats. The average farm size was 1.52 acres, with 53.06% of respondents engaged in agriculture as their primary occupation. Additionally, 61.22% of the households had a monthly income of less than ₹10,000. The majority of the respondents were above 40 years of age and illiterate, highlighting significant challenges in accessing modern agricultural practices and government schemes. Despite these challenges, the study emphasizes the adaptability and resilience of these farmers, who primarily depend on livestock for their livelihood. The result revealed that call for targeted interventions to improve the productivity and profitability of goat and sheep farming, including enhanced fodder availability, training on improved feeding practices, better access to veterinary services, and promotion of community-based organizations for knowledge dissemination and resource mobilization. Further research is recommended to explore the impact of different feeding regimes, market linkages, and the integration of goat and sheep farming with other agricultural activities.