Goat Farmers’ Coping Strategy for Sustainable Livelihood Security in Arid Rajasthan: An Empirical Analysis

Shalander Kumar and A.D. Upadhyay

Agricultural Economics Research Review, 2009, vol. 22, issue 2

Abstract: Goat farmers’ coping strategy under water scarcity and changing resource situations in the arid Rajasthan has been analyzed. Input-output model has been used to quantify the magnitude of linkages amongst different components of the farming system. The study is based on the primary data collected from randomly selected 60 goats-keeping households and 25 farm households without goats for the year 2004-2005 from the Nagaur district in arid Rajasthan. Instead of opting for transhumance system, the farmers have been found innovative in evolving a farming system that has allowed sustainable production of grains for family as well as feed and fodder for maintaining their small ruminants. Three farming systems, (I) Rain-fed goat-based farming system, (II) Partially irrigated goat-based farming system, and (III) Rain-fed crop-based farming system, have been delineated. In response to the emerging resource and environmental conditions, goat farmers have utilized the potential synergy of linkages among different components of the farming system. However, the existing goat production needs to be fine-tuned with the modern goat-rearing practices. The innovative idea of farmers of keeping a part of their land fallow for grazing their goats and sheep during the lean season needs to be used as an opportunity to encourage the farmers to develop this fallow land as pasture with recommended legume and non-legume grasses. This model may be replicated in similar other arid regions.

Keywords: Agricultural; and; Food; Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aerrae:57412

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.57412

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