*Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (COVAS), CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University(HPAU), Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) 176062. Email: drdth4@gmail.com
**Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, COVAS, CSKHPAU, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) 176062. Email: alokvet13@yahoo.co.in
***Assistant Professor Sr. Scale, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (COVAS), CSKHPAU, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) 176062. Email: bunnykatoch@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 19 December, 2013.
The present study was undertaken to understand the livestock species, breed composition and breeding practices followed in High Altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, India. Investigations were carried out in 4–5 cluster villages of three blocks of Chamba district through personal interviews of 180 respondents. High proportion of households reared different livestock species (81.12 percent households reared cows, 66.12 percent reared bulls, 27.78 percent had buffaloes and 36.67 percent reared sheep and Goat) in the region. Livestock breeding practices in the form of Natural Service and Artificial Insemination(AI), both were available and were followed by livestock owners. In cows, AI was preferred the most followed by both AI and natural service whereas in Buffaloes natural service was preferred the most. Constraints affecting AI services were poor conception rate, poor accessibility of AI, higher input requirement for progeny and less awareness about AI. On the other hand, poor progeny and non availability of superior germplasm were the major constraints associated with the use of natural service in the region.
Artificial Insemination, Breeding Practices, Himachal Pradesh, Livestock Composition, Breeding Policy
