Status of draught animal power availability in selected villages of east and south districts in Sikkim, India

The agriculture in Sikkim is mixed type and at the subsistence level. Animal husbandry is an integral part of household economy in Sikkim. Most of the field operations are done manually and by use of animals. The present use of draught animals is limited only to cultivation operations (100–120 hours/year) in Sikkim. Increased utilization (300–500 hours/year) may be taken up by rotary mode applications for postharvest operations and electricity generation at village level and pack load transport in hilly terrain to make the work animals energy efficient and cost-effective. Bullocks are the major source of farm power (total number 57218, livestock census: 2007) mostly used for cultivation operations in valleys and terraces. Village survey information included population of draught animals, traditional/improved equipment, major crops and rotations, total area, irrigated area, cultivable area, operational land holdings, electro-mechanical power sources, electricity status and labour available. In the farmers’ survey, ten framers or actually available were surveyed in each village for bullocks breed, annual use, price, body dimensions, type of feed and schedule animal shed, labour engaged, crops grown and crop rotations, custom hiring equipment used and rate for hiring required. Present coverage was 2.22 ha/bullock pair in south and east Sikkim. Fifty per cent farmers preferred custom hiring of bullocks for field preparation. The command area per ha by use of traditional equipment was 1 ha (50–70 terraces). The expected command area by use of improved equipment was 1.5 ha (80–100 terrace). Farmers willingly preferred to opt improved equipment subject to the availability of equipment and skill. Maximum farmers depended on animal power for cultivation.