Constraints in Small Ruminant Farming in Kashmir Region of Jammu and Kashmir

The study has examined the constraints in small ruminant farming in the Kashmir valley by collecting data from 200 small ruminant farmers of 40 villages of two blocks from each of the five districts of the region. Three groups of farmers were identified on the basis of flock size, viz. small (n=121), medium (n=38) and large (n=41) and various constraints were analyzed using Garret Ranking technique. The study has observed that the major constraints being faced by small ruminant farmers were: (i) lack of breeding stock, (ii) non-availability of feed and fodder, (iii) poor veterinary services, and (iv) poor organized/cooperative marketing structure. The study has suggested that these constraints should be addressed with adoption of proper-strategies and focused planning on small ruminant farming in the state.