Exploration of constraints and opportunities of small ruminant production system in Karnali zone
2000
Tiwari, M.R.
A study to find out the constraints and opportunities of small ruminant production systems in all districts of Karnali Zone was undertaken with N. objectives to identify and priorities the researchable constraints and to the opportunities for better small ruminant productivity. A team field survey comprising the livestock specialist of different disciplines was conducted in Kalikot, Mugu, Dolpa, Humla and Jumla districts in order to identify the general overview of farmers on their major constraints and the potential of livestock production. At the same time, a random sampling household survey and structured questionnaires were completed for identification the existing ruminant production system and specific constraints at the household level. Altogether 235 farmers were selected on a random basis from different districts and were interviewed. Through interview with the farmers, small ruminants population, crop by products, feeding resources, management system of livestock, feeding management, health situation, production and reproduction performance of sheep and goats and marketing situation of each districts of the was determined. Besides this, the potential of the horti-pasture system, productivity of rangeland, green mass production from fodder trees and chemical composition of feed and forages was determined. In addition to interviewing farmers to know the production and reproduction performance of small ruminants, four flocks having more than fifty heads were selected and tagged individually. The productive and reproductive performance of the animals was studied for two years in Jumla district. The survey and interviews with farmers showed that the population of small ruminants in Karnali zone is decreasing every year, because of the prevalence of different diseases and lack of pasture resources. In all districts of Karnali zone the migratory management system is popular. The birth weight of sheep and goats has observed to be 2.5 and 2.29 kg respectively. The reproductive performance study showed that crossbred animals reach sexual maturity earlier than the local breed.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Nepal Agricultural Research Council