Development of Livestock Sector in the Semi-arid Regions of Karnataka:  Status and Strategies

Prakashkumar Rathod; Sreenath Dixit; Moses Shyam Davala; Mukund Patil

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20191129082230

Authors

Prakashkumar Rathod ICRISAT Development Center, Asia Program, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Telangana, INDIA
Sreenath Dixit ICRISAT Development Center, Asia Program, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Telangana, INDIA
Moses Shyam Davala ICRISAT Development Center, Asia Program, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Telangana, INDIA
Mukund Patil ICRISAT Development Center, Asia Program, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Telangana, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20191129082230

Keywords:

Ballari, Gross Value Added (GVA), Karnataka, Livestock, Semi-arid Regions, Technical Interventions, Watershed Management

Abstract

The integrated watershed management approach is proved to be a suitable strategy for achieving holistic
development in the semi-arid and arid regions through collective action. Among various livelihood options,
livestock sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing agricultural sub-sectors in India. However, there
exists considerable scope for further development of livestock sector in watershed areas with the concerted
effort of multiple stakeholders to improve livestock production and productivity. In this context, an attempt
was made to study the present status and issues in livestock sector, estimate gross value added (GVA) and
propose technical interventions for integrated watershed management project implemented in selected
villages of Ballari District, Karnataka state using primary and secondary data. The study has identified
various issues and constraints viz. presence of low yielding non-descript cattle, low milk yield, less
breedable population, lack of green fodder, etc. in the project villages. Further, the study also estimated
that contribution of GVA was highest from Kurekoppa village (Rs 647.06 lakh) among the project villages,
while it was highest from buffaloes (Rs 776.35 lakh) among the different species reared in the villages. The
study also found that per animal GVA was very low in the project villages for different species. Depending
on the status and issues in the project villages, the authors have proposed technical interventions after
discussion with multiple stakeholders through which there would be an improvement in the production and
reproduction performance of the livestock, ultimately leading to increase in GVA from the project
villages.The authors also propose that these strategies are relevant for livestock sector development in SAT
regions of Karnataka. However, need-based research and extension activities by different organizations in
the region may be emphasized for the benefit of farming community.