Economic Affairs

Sheep and goat rearing practices are followed since from the civilization of the human beings over the period of years, millions of people in the world. Sheep and goat population in southern region is consistently increasing mainly due to increase in number of keepers. Several feeding management systems are being followed. The study was carried out in Mandya and Mysuru districts of Karnataka. The random sampling technique was adopted in selecting sample for the study. 180 farmers (90 sheep farmers, 90 goat farmers) were selected at randomly. The results of the study revealed that overall outlay required for beginning sheep farm were, in extensive rearing ( 1, 74, 706), semi-intensive ( 2, 31, 243) and in intensive rearing ( 6, 33, 857) respectively. With respect to goat farm, extensive rearing ( 1, 33, 881), semi-intensive ( 1, 96, 673) and in intensive rearing ( 4, 61, 041) respectively. The total cost per annum was relatively low in goat rearing across all the rearing methods, extensive rearing ( 1880/animal), semi-intensive rearing ( 2355/animal) and in intensive rearing ( 3811/animal) compared to sheep rearing, extensive rearing ( 2060/animal), semi-intensive rearing ( 2638/animal) and in intensive rearing ( 3874/animal).The net return per animal was higher in goat rearing across all the rearing methods, extensive rearing ( 1537/animal), semi-intensive rearing ( 2174/animal) and in intensive rearing ( 4186/animal) compared to sheep rearing, extensive rearing ( 1092/animal), semi-intensive rearing ( 2020/animal) and in intensive rearing ( 3983/animal).