Spatial distribution and use of draught animal power in India

Abstract

An analysis has been made in this paper to investigate the trends in spatial distribution and use of animal power in crop production. It revealed that although total population of bovine increased but working population reduced from 80.72 to 77.67 million during 1972 to 1992. The draught population remained static or increased marginally in the' states of J&K, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Assam, Manipur and Maharashtra. Higher rate of decline was observed in the states of Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. On regional basis, northern and southern regions have shown declining trends in draught animal population but eastern region has shown increased population. The availability of draught animals intensity in the eastern region was comparatively better with an average of less than 2 ha/pair, but the size of animals is usually small and therefore work output low.