Assessing cattle welfare issues in north Gujarat

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to identify and prioritize the major cattle welfare issues in North Gujarat. A total of 300 dairy farmers were randomly selected from Banaskantha and Mehsana districts through a multistage sampling procedure. The Garrett Ranking Technique was applied to rank the perceived constraints affecting cattle welfare. The findings revealed that lack of awareness about animal rights and welfare laws emerged as the most critical issue, followed by improper handling and transportation of cattle. Inadequate housing and shelter facilities ranked third, indicating infrastructural deficiencies that compromise animal comfort and productivity. Feeding management problems such as over nutrition and imbalanced rations, along with economic constraints, were also recognized as important barriers to maintaining welfare standards. Disease outbreaks, lack of veterinary services, unhygienic milking practices, shortage of skilled labour, harsh climatic conditions, and limited training opportunities were identified as additional but less prioritized challenges. These results highlight that both knowledge-related and resource-related issues play a central role in shaping the welfare of dairy cattle. The study emphasizes the need for awareness programs, farmer training, infrastructural support, and strengthened veterinary services to improve cattle welfare in the region. A systematic policy approach integrating education, economics, and extension services is crucial to address the multidimensional challenges faced by dairy farmers.