Socio-economic status, constraints and rearing practices of Bidri goat farmers in Bidar district of Karnataka, India

A study was undertaken to assess the socio-economic status, constraints, breeding and feeding practices of Bidri goat farmers in Bidar district of Karnataka during July to November, 2020. Atotal of 180 respondents were selected (20 each from 3 villages in 3 talukas) and collected the information through personal interviews. Overall 73.33% of respondents were illiterate. Majority of farmers (62.22%) reported non-availability of superior germplasm/ bucks as main breeding constraint. Ignorance of farmers about balanced feeding (86.11%), non-availability of mineral mixture (82.78%), cultivated fodder (84.44%), concentrate feed (80%) and hay (80%) were identified as the major feeding constraints faced by the farmers. Overall 45.56% of respondents exchange bucks, 84.44% used the same bucks for the whole flock and 40% culled bucks below the age of 5 years. Common property resources (75.56%) were the main source of fodder for goats. Only 33.33% of respondents supplemented concentrate to goats in the study areas. Mean age at first breeding and kidding in Bidri goats were 14.18±0.39 and 19.20±0.38 months, respectively. Mean kidding interval, lactation length and dry period were 8.65±0.10 months, 109.66±3.25 days, 128.22±4.02 days and 131.11±3.77 days, respectively. It may be concluded that Bidri goat farmers must be must be educated about improved goat practices through extension programmes.