ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINTS TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN TAMIL NADU

In order to ascertain the constraints in livestock production, this study was undertaken in Tamil Nadu. A total of 350 farmers, representing all the seven agro-climatic zones were chosen adopting three-stage random sampling technique. Garret’s ranking technique was adopted to analyse the problems faced by farmers in the study area on rearing cattle of different categories, buffaloes, sheep and goat. The constraints faced in rearing crossbred cows in the order of their importance were excessive feed cost, followed by inadequate price for milk and huge investment. Low productivity in desi cows was the major constraint, followed by excessive feed cost, inadequate price for milk. Lack of fodder and grazing facilities was the prime constraint in buffalo farming followed by labour shortage and infertility problem. The foremost constraint faced by overwhelming majority in sheep production and in goat production was lack of fodder and grazing facilities.