Socio-Economic Analysis of Goat Rearing Farmers in Mahoba District of Bundelkhand

It is unfortunate that, Indian farmers are dying from hunger and malnutrition even though Indian economy based on agriculture. Out of other remedies goat rearing is a way to fight from poverty and providing nutrition to small and marginal farmers. A study was made to assess competitive advantage of rearing goat in the district of Mahoba between small marginal and large farmers. The aim of this study was to find out the socio-economic characteristics and economics of goat keepers in mahoba of Bundelkhand. The study was carried out in mahoba district during 2012. 45 per cent of respondents had average family size of 3 to5 persons, 35 per cent respondents had average family size of 1 to 3 persons and 20 per cent had family size of 5 to 10 persons. 33 per cent and 24 per cent respectively had intermediate and high school level of education. 8 per cent respondents were illiterate. Agriculture was the main occupation and so as the source of income too. Most of the farmers had more than fifteen years of farming experience. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were found to be significantly related to dairy management practices. The capital investment per goat was highest on large farms ( 772.01/year), followed by marginal farms ( 763.17/year) and small goat keepers ( 733.36/year). The margin of profit on large farms was highest. The overall return over cost A (paid out expenses and depreciation) was 3186.21, over cost B (cost A + interest on fixed capital) was 3093.65 and over cost C (cost B + input value of family labour) was 1635.32.