ADOPTION OF SCIENTIFIC PRACTICES OF SMALL RUMINANTS AT A VILLAGE IN RAJASTHAN: A PRA STUDY

Abstract

Adoption behaviour of farmers towards small ruminant technologies was studied during June, 2015 with the help of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) techniques in Soda village (Tehsil Malpura, Tonk) in Rajasthan. Matrix ranking technique was used to assess the important technologies of small ruminant rearing as well as major constraints faced by them. Study revealed that all the farmers were adopting vaccination against enterotoxaemia, sheep pox, peste des petits ruminants and foot and mouth disease. Fifty percent of farmers were providing concentrate feed to ewe during pregnancy and lactation. A few (5.56%) farmers were growing grasses and planting trees (anjan grass, ardu tree and ber bush) for small ruminants. Majority of farmers were rearing Kheri sheep, but were interested in Patanwadi sheep. Seasonal analysis revealed that farmers remained busy with different small ruminant practices throughout the year except in January. Lack of grazing land, local market, proper shed and trough facilities were the common problems faced by farmers.