Farm Profitability of Osmanabadi Goat Keeping Households in Latur Region of Maharashtra

The present ex-post-facto study was conducted to examine the profitability of Osmanabadi goat-keeping households in purposively selected Latur and Osmanabad districts. A total of 120 goat keepers were equally selected across both districts using the multistage random sampling technique. The data was collected by personal interview method using a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The study revealed that the annual net return from goat rearing was Rs. 18469 in small, Rs. 27039 in medium, and Rs. 44350 in large goat keepers. Goat keeping was low input-intensive in the study area. Osmanabadi goat keepers obtained maximum returns through the sale of goat kids, whereas milk and manure were unexplored and underutilized sources of income. An increase in net returns over total cost was increased with an increase in flock size and the adoption of scientific management practices. However, the net returns per goat per annum decreased linearly with an increase in flock size. Efforts are needed to improve the adoption of scientific management practices and; explore goat milk and manure as sources of income to fetch better profit by Osmanabadi goat-keeping households.