Production and marketing of small ruminants in Chagi district (Balochistan) [Pakistan]

In the present study five locations were surveyed in Chagi district of Balochistan, namely Nushki, Dalbandin, Nokundi, Essi:-icha and Keshangi. A total of 80 small ruminants farmers were interviewed as per the prescribed proforma especially designed for this purpose. Besides 32 wholesaler, 33 middlemen and 35 final sellers each were also interviewed accordingly. Information on socio-economic status of respondents production patterns and marketing activities were collected and, tabulated. The study revealed that out of 80 farmers/producers 17.87 percent were literate while 82.13 percent were illiterate. Furthermore out of 80 farmers 84.68 percent ,,!ere married and 15.32 percent were unmarried. Balochi, Eihrik, Harnai and Raklishani were the major breeds of sheep raised in simple flock. Khurasani and Pahari were the two major breeds of goats reported by the sample animal raisers. Balochi sheep raised for mutton and wool. The Harnai breed sheep was for wool production and Rakhshani breed of sheep was raised for wool and mutton,. Khurasani and Pahari breeds of goats were mainly raised for mutton and hair in Changi district. The average wool yield of Balochi, Bibrik, Harnai and Rakhshani sheep was 2.35, 1.87, 1.91 and 1.94 kg, respectively. Average yield of hair production was 0.75 and 0.70 kg from Pahari and Khurasani goats. The mean adult weight of sheep and goats was 30.30 and 27.50 kg respectively. The male female ratio was 1:50 and 1:50 for sheep and goat. The breeding season was August to October for Sheep and July to September for goats. It was observed that the breeding age for sheep and goat was 18-24 months. The overall mortality rate was 20% and 15% in sheep and The total capital cost averaged Rs. 447.15, Rs. 140.15, R.s. 90.8, Rs. 122.5 and Rs. 417.00 and Rs. 72.30 expenditure per animal/year on fixed cost animal feeding cost, veterinary cost, marketing cost, shepherd cost and miscellaneous expenditure, respectively. It was observed that the farmer earned net return of 209.60/animal/year. The marketing pattern shows that a wholesaler handled 2400 animals in a year. While the middleman handled 2360 animals and final seller handled 2000 animals in a year. Wholesaler on the whole spent Rs. 79.40/animal/year. The middleman on the whole Rs. 68.02 per animal/year. The total cost incurred by final seller was Rs. 95.75 per animal/Year. The wholesaler earned Rs. 150.00 (8.940) per animal/year a; absolute margin. The middleman earned Rs. 130.00 and final seller Rs. 190.00 as absolute margin per animal/year. Breakdown of consumer rupee indicated that producer received 50.00 percent, wholesaler got. 15.21s, middleman earned 13.48% and final seller earned 21.30%.