Hitchhiking the primordial western Ghats cattle ecotype: Rearing practices and socio-economic status of cattle rearing farmers in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted in a native tract of Theni Malaimadu cattle in the Theni district. Information collected from 96 rearers about history and origin, geographical distribution, housing system, feeding and watering system, breeding system, reproduction characteristics, milking practice, identification method, tracking system, selection of calves for breeding and sporting, disease occurrence, revenue generation, and socio-economic status of Theni Malaimadu cattle rearers were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques. Cent per cent of Theni Malaimadu cattle rearers belonged to the Hindu religion and 81.25 per cent of rearers rearing Theni Malaimadu cattle from their ancestry. A maximum number of rearers (63.54 per cent) using locally available wood materials for housing of Theni Malaimadu cattle. The majority (94.79 per cent) of rearers rearing Theni Malaimadu cattle under an extensive system of management in its breeding tract, mainly by a zero or low input system of management. Milking is done primarily for household needs (53.12 per cent). This study showed that the major source of income of Theni Malaimadu cattle rearers is the sale of manure (53.13 per cent), followed by the sale of male calves (32.29 per cent) and penning (14.58 per cent). Mostly Theni Malaimadu male calves were sold for sporting purpose. The data depicted that 83.33 per cent of rearers followed hot iron branding and ear clipping as identification methods in Theni Malaimadu cattle. This extensive survey provides a thorough understanding of the Theni Malaimadu cattle breed and the practices of the farmers, contributing valuable insights for conservation and sustainable development efforts.