Enhancing profitability of nomadic Gaddi goat production system for augmenting farmer’s income

Abstract

Gaddi is a distinct tribe of nomadic pastoralists of Himachal Pradesh involved in rearing of sheep and goats
of Gaddi breed. Their flocks are managed totally under extensive (migratory) production system. During
summers the flocks climb to high altitude alpine Himalayan pastures and during winters they are grazed
in the foot hills. The present study was conducted on Gaddi goats maintained by the Gaddi shepherds
under AICRP on Goat Improvement (2010-17). The animals were provided strategic breeding, feeding and
health inputs under field conditions and periodic data recordings were done. The overall net income from
the sale of surplus and culled animals ranged between Rs. 5.2 to 13.04 lac per annum. The net income
per animal per year was observed in the range of Rs. 743.93 and 1120.74. The percent change in overall
net income and net income per animal per year recorded during the period (2010-17) was to the tune of
129.42 and 43.24 percent, respectively. This study has demonstrated that nomadic goat farming can be
made a profitable and economically viable enterprise by providing critical inputs to overcome the existing
constraints