Study on production and marketing patterns of small ruminants in district Jhal Magsi (Balochistan)

Fifty farmers/producers raising small ruminants and 32 wholesaler, 25 middlemen and 30 final sellers were interviewed. Average flock size was 273 animals per farmer. The farmers were raising Balochi, Bibrik and Harnai sheep breeds; and Pahari, Lehri and Bari goat breeds as major breeds in the area. The adult live weight of sheep and goat average 35.5 kg and 29.5 kg, respectively. The ratio of male of female in the flock averaged 1:25 in sheep and 1:35 in goat flocks. The breeding season in the two species was August to September in sheep and July to September in case of goats. The values of breeding ages were 18-24 months in sheep and 16-22 months in goat breeds. The means of wool sheared by sheep breeds per annum were: 2.38 kg, 1.61 kg and 1.84 kg, in Balochi, Bibrikh and Harnai breeds, respectively. The mean values of hair yield per annum in goats were: 0.90 kg (Lehri) and 1.70 kg (Pahari). The Bari breed was not clipped because of short hair. The expenditure on fixed cost, cost of feed, veterinary charges, Marketing charges, shepherd's charges, shearing charges and miscellaneous charges averaged: Rs.410.96, Rs.110.81, Rs.117.49, Rs.101.10, Rs.4.04, Rs.382.42 and Rs.65.49 per animal per annum, respectively. The recurring charges averaged Rs.781.36 per animal per annum. The net return per farmer per year per animal averaged Rs.561.76. The farmer earned gross revenue from the sale of animals, wool and hair and sale of manure, which averaged Rs.1292.70, Rs.45.89 and Rs.4.53, respectively. The income of farmer per year averaged Rs.1343.12. Wholesaler and middleman on the whole spent Rs.89.86 and Rs.82.78 per animal per year, respectively. The cost incurred by the final seller was Rs.118.86 per animal and per year. The wholesaler, middleman and final seller earned net margins/profit of Rs.50.07, Rs.72.24, and Rs.101.46 per animal per year. The price spread on sale of the small ruminants between producer and wholesaler was 27.34 per cent and between wholesaler and middleman was 29.82%; between middleman and final seller it was 42.83%. The marketing margins of the agents in the business were 8.32%; 8.32% and 10.67% for wholesaler, middleman and final seller, respectively. The mark up percentage earned by wholesaler, middleman and final seller was 9.07%, 9.07% and 11.95%, respectively. The break down of consumer's rupee revealed that the producer, wholesaler, middleman and final seller got 71.51%, 6.37%, 9.20% and 12.92%, respectively. The cost benefit ratio was 1:0.72, 1:0.56, 1:0.87 and 1:0.85 for producer, wholesaler, middleman and final seller, respectively. In short low literacy rate was observed among the small ruminants producers in the study area. Low productivity because of poor flock management practices. Mortality percentage was high. Lack of aptitude of the farmers for commercialized farming. Lack of market information system. Markets lack the facilities for housing the animals. Markets with meager infrastructure. Low share of farmer in the consumer's rupee.