Constraints perceived by sheep and goat farmers under intensive rearing system in Telangana state

Abstract

The study was conducted in six districts of Telangana representing different agro-climatic zones to assess constraints faced by sheep and goat farmers practicing intensive rearing systems. A total of 24 mandals were covered, and from each mandal, two intensive farmers—one sheep farmer and one goat farmer—were randomly selected. Thus, 48 intensive farmers comprising 24 sheep and 24 goat farmers were surveyed. The major constraints identified by intensive sheep and goat keepers were lack of insurance protection (66.66%), lack of government subsidy (62.50%), non-availability of credit (47.91%), non-availability of feed (39.58%), labour scarcity (37.50%), and inadequate veterinary services (33.33%), which emerged as the top six constraints. Other constraints reported included high cost of lambs/kids, disease incidence, inadequate shelter space, involvement of middlemen, price fluctuations, wild animal menace, transportation problems, lack of market information, and water scarcity. The findings indicate that intensive sheep and goat farmers in Telangana face predominantly institutional, financial, and input-related constraints, highlighting the need for strengthened policy support and targeted interventions to enhance the sustainability of intensive small ruminant farming in the state.