Dairy husbandry practices and problems of dairy farmers of tribal and non-tribal areas of Middle Gujarat

Abstract

A field survey was conducted to collect information on dairy animal husbandry practices followed and reproductive problems faced by the dairy farmers in tribal and non-tribal areas of Middle Gujarat. Through mass contact programmes at doorstep, the information on land holding, agriculture and occupational practices of 2883 livestock farmers and reproductive and productive parameters of 10726 animals were obtained. The percentages of landless, small, medium and large landholder dairy farmers in tribal area (Mahisagar district) were 23.43, 66.16, 7.92 and 2.47, whereas the corresponding figures in non-tribal area (Anand district) were 0.89, 49.08, 41.44 and 18.60, respectively. The irrigation facility for agriculture through canal was up to 81 and 99 per cent in tribal and non-tribal areas, whereas the corresponding primary occupation of agriculture with animal keeping was up to 76.57 and 99.11 per cent. No zebu cattle were found in tribal area. The mean calving interval and postpartum estrus interval were shorter in crossbred cows than in zebu cattle and buffaloes and both were longer in animals of tribal areas than the non-tribal areas. Among 298, 3244 and 7184 zebu cattle, crossbreds and buffaloes surveyed, 21.81, 22.84 and 33.77 per cent animals had different reproductive problems. The problem of silent heat was higher in buffaloes including heifers of tribal areas. The percentages of anoestrus and repeat breeding were comparatively higher in cows and buffaloes of tribal areas as compared to non-tribal areas. The average milk yield/day was higher in crossbred cows followed by buffaloes and zebu cows and it was also higher in animals of non-tribal areas. The mean lactation length was longer in buffaloes and crossbred cows than the zebu cows and also in animals of non-tribal areas. No difference was found in breeding (>99% through AI) and feeding practices of green (14-15 kg), dry (6-7 kg) fodder and concentrate (2-4 kg) in tribal and non-tribal areas. The higher percentages of cows in non-tribal area (46 vs 22) and buffaloes in tribal area (20 vs 16) were supplemented with mineral mixture, and concerned farmers had a greater tendency to provide drinking water ad lib or 3 times a day. The percentage of crossbred cows and buffaloes kept in close confinement were comparatively higher in tribal areas. The findings show the difference in awareness level and facilities of farmers of two areas in dairy husbandry practices and their by productive-reproductive issues and infertility problems in their animals, that can be resolved by scientific interventions.