STUDIES ON UTILIZATION PATTERN OF CAMEL AND TRACTOR IN HOT ARID DESERT ECOSYSTEMQ

Abstract

The present farming system research was carried out in eighteen arid villages of two districts in Rajasthan covering four zones. Analysis of data indicated that mixed farming (51.08%) was the major occupation although 48.91 % of respondents opted animal husbandry as major occupation. The advantages of camel in comparison to tractor were so many where as maximum number of demerits of tractor in comparison to camel were perceived by arid farmers with favorable attitude towards the utilization of camel. Most of the farmers having 1 camel (88.64%) fed their animal at household level where as farmers having more than 4 camels, majority of them reared their camel in extensive management practices. The Chi-square test indicated that camel keeping pattern significantly (P< 0.01) influenced feeding management practices. Hence suitable measures need to be taken to conserve the indigenous camel with proper feeding management in changing socio-economic scenario.