Livestock Resilience in Drought-Prone Karnataka, India: A Study on Breeding and Housing Practices
Girish C E *
Dairy Extension Section, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal-741 235, India.
Asif Mohammad
Dairy Extension Section, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal-741 235, India.
Bikram Barman
Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110 012, India.
Dayananda Patil
Dairy Extension Section, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Southern Regional Station, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560 030, India.
Vijay L
Department of Agricultural Extension, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad-500 030, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigated strategies for managing livestock in drought-prone areas of Karnataka, India. The study was conducted across four districts, namely Kolar, Chikballapur, Chitradurga, and Tumkur. A total of 200 farmer respondents were selected based on their experience and herd size. The findings indicate a preference for crossbred cattle due to higher milk yields, while exotic breeds are less favoured due to their vulnerability to heat stress. All respondents relied on manual heat detection methods, and there was variability in breeding timing post-heat detection. Artificial insemination was universally adopted, but conception rates varied significantly. Most farmers did not synchronize breeding with fodder availability, and few followed scientific housing practices. The study highlights the need for improved livestock management strategies, including enhanced housing and breeding practices, to mitigate the impacts of drought on livestock productivity and farmer livelihoods. Stakeholders, researchers, policy makers and agricultural organizations must collaborate in developing targeted interventions that could enhance livestock management in drought-prone regions.
Keywords: Drought, livestock, breeding, feeding