Vol. 7, Issue 11 (2018)

Author(s):
P Reeja George and CM Sreelakshmi

Abstract:
Rapid growths in populations as well as increased demands for more milk and milk products put pressure on production systems to explore alternate means of increasing milk production through crossbreeding. In the process, native breeds were displaced by intensively selected breeds and their high input – high output production systems. However many native breeds survived this process, especially in areas where high input high output systems were not established for economic, cultural or environmental reasons. In recent years, scientists, policy makers and farmers have recognized the important environmental, social, cultural, market and public values of native cattle. The Kasargod dwarf cattle are native cattle found in Kasaragod, the northern most district of Kerala. With the growing acceptance of the concept of zero-budget farming, the demand for Kasaragod dwarfs has also gone up. It is now well recognized that there is an urgent need to understand the state of Kasaragod dwarf cattle population in order to develop well oriented policies and strategies for preserving all the values related to the maintenance of this animal. Keeping in mind the important cultural, social and environmental values of this animal, it is important to explore strategies that focus on farming systems capable of maintaining the vigour and the potential to fulfil all conservation aims. The importance of farmer knowledge and expertise is on account of the fact that local criteria emerge from communities based on traditional and local ecological knowledge that support household and community needs. Keeping in mind the aforesaid facts a study into various aspects of the hitherto unexplored arena of Kasaragod cattle housing was undertaken.