Comparative analysis of different management systems in arid goat breeds

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate in a quantifiable manner the economic feasibility of raising arid goat breeds under different regimes. One-year-old Marwari (15) and Parbatsari (18) goats were equally divided and allotted to extensive (control), semi-intensive and intensive (complete diet) systems. Lactating does gained significantly higher post-partum body weight gain along with higher kidding rate and prolificacy under intensive system than those reared under semi-intensive and extensive system. Highest total lactation yield of Marwari and Parbatsari does was also recorded for intensive group followed by semi-intensive group and lowest in extensive group. Similarly, peak yield was recorded significantly higher in both the breeds (Parbatsari and Marwari) under intensive and semi-intensive systems than control group. Economic analysis of these three systems revealed that total return were maximum in intensive management system but input cost was also high in this system, therefore, the net return was more in semi-intensive system. Higher incremental return per goat/year was Rs 235.9 (Marwari goat) and Rs 226.3 (Parbatsari goat) in semi-intensive system and comparative lower incremental return per goat/year was observed in intensive system (Rs 188.2 and Rs 108.2 for Marwari and Parbatsari goats, respectively). It could be inferred from ongoing observations that farmers of arid region may use semi-intensive system for producing more milk with low input cost in order to strengthen the goat enterprise in the fragile eco-system.