Bimal P Bashir
MVSc., Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow- AICRP on Malabari Goat Improvement
Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Thrissur, Kerala, India Pin- 680651
Thirupathy Venkatachalapathy R
MVSc., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Principal Investigator
AICRP on Malabari Goat Improvement
Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Thrissur, Kerala, India Pin- 680651
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the role performance in goat farming activities among goat keepers of Northern region of Kerala. The study was conducted at six centers of the All India Coordinated Research Project for the improvement of Malabari goat viz. Thaliparamba and Thalassery, Perambra and Vadakara, Kottakkal and Tanur which belongs to Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram district of Northern region respectively. A well structured pre-tested interview schedule was developed at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala. From a total of 360 randomly selected goat keepers 60 each from all the six centres were selected for the study. In goat farming, independent participation of women was noticed in the practices of colostrums feeding, grazing of animals, collection and disposal of pellets, feeding, watering, care of pregnant animals, care at kidding time, providing special feed to kidded animals and cleaning of pens. Joint participation with the spouse, however was found in the activities like cleaning and grooming of animals, chaffing of fodder, care of young one immediately after birth, providing special feed and medicine to sick and deworming of animals. Males were more involved in health care, decision making and marketing related activities. It was concluded that goat keeping was an integral part of livelihood of rural families. Rural males were engaged more in outdoor activities. Both men and women were managing the activities of goat farming. Thus they may be encouraged to take goat farming as entrepreneurial activity for better earning and sustainable livelihood.