A study on Performance of non-descript goats upgraded with Sirohi bucks: NICRA experience

Abstract:

The present paper is based on the up gradation of local non-descript does with Sirohi bucks in NICRA (National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture) project implemented village Melakunda (B) of Kalaburagi district. ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra conducted Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to know the knowledge status of farmers on scientific goat rearing practices. Through PRA technique it came to know that, the shepherds of NICRA village have lack of knowledge on cross breeding, perennial fodder crops, fodder trees, improper sex ratio, concentrate feed and goat mineral mixture etc. However, NICRA village have maximum goat population compared to other villages. The KVK scientists continuously provided on and off campus trainings on scientific management practices on goat rearing viz., maintaining proper sex ratio (1:20:: male: female), flushing up and challenge feeding techniques, growing of perennial fodder crops viz., multicut fodder sorghum varieties (Cofs-29/Cofs-31), hedge lucerne, stylozanthus haemata and fodder trees on bunds viz., glyricidia, acacia, drumstick, sesbania grandiflora, subabul and azolla culture. Method demonstrations on low cost technologies like preparation of homemade concentrate feed by using own farm agriculture waste and growing of azolla culture in pit method were also taught to goat farmer trainees. In NICRA village, yearly four animal health camps were organized in collaboration with Department of animal husbandry and veterinary services.

During these camps, deworming against end-ecto parasites and vaccination against bacterial and viral diseases was done. With KVK intervention, the growth and reproductive performance of Sirohi crossbred goats was improved over local non-descript goats. Also, the economic status of farmers changed drastically.