Economics and constraints of small ruminant rearing on common pasture lands in Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Pali district of Rajasthan to analyze the economics of production and management of small ruminants reared under traditional extensive systems. For drawing a representative sample (n=60) of small ruminant rearers from the district stratified random sampling technique was used. Primary data from the sampled small ruminant rearers on various aspects of costs, returns and constraints were collected by personal interview technique using a pre-tested structured schedule. The fixed investment on average flock size of 91 small ruminants unit was found to be Rs. 189630. The share of variable cost in total maintenance cost was 53.1% and that of fixed cost was 46.9%. The annual gross and net returns were found to be Rs. 159963 and Rs. 60362, respectively. The B: C ratio of 1.61 indicated the profitability of small ruminant rearing in the region. The major constraints perceived by the small ruminant rearers were high cost of fodder and concentrate feeds, costly veterinary medicines, low income, degraded/lack of common grazing lands etc.