Search

Dairying is an important enterprise for employment for the farmers in urban and rural areas of Rajasthan. With the growing pressure of human population, dairying has to be developed in a scientific manner so that the maximum potential of miltch animals can be harness. Dairying in India has been considered to play a crucial role in Indian economy. The level of adoption of dairy innovation by farming community has been far from satisfactory though it has direct bearing on dairy farm production. The study was conducted in Jodhpur district with the objective to identify the level of adoption of major recommendedscientific dairy practices by crossbred (CB) cattle rearers. The study was conducted on those farmers only which were work as dairy entrepreneur and already have taken training from Krishi Vigyan Kendra or other training institute of state Govt. /NGO. The selected respondents were interviewed personally with the help of a well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule in order to get relevant information. In the study it was found that the practices adopted by the farmers were Artificial Insemination(87.5 %), feeding of mineral mixture (95.83 %), deworming (95.83 %), feeding of chaffed fodder (82.5 %), disbudding/dehorning (81.66 %), vaccination and colostrum feeding (100%), drying of animals for 60-90 days (75.83 %), ecto-parasite control (74.16 %), feeding of balance ration (71.66%) and selling of milk through middle man (76.66 %).The average adoption index of different aspect of scientific dairy farming practices of breeding, feeding, health care, management and marketing were 36.16, 56.01,64.44, 45.24 and 34.71 percent respectively which indicates good knowledge level of dairy farmers in Jodhpur district.

The objectives were to test the hypothesis that estrus and pregnancy are seasonal in free-ranging female dogs (>3 mo old) in Jodhpur, India, and to determine litter size, and the prevalence of fetal resorption in this population. The prevalence of estrus and pregnancy was determined in 5400 free-ranging bitches (trapped and released) at the time of ovariohysterectomy. In a separate study, the uteri and ovaries of 246 free-ranging bitches were examined to determine litter size and fetal resorption. The bitches exhibited seasonal estrus and pregnancy (P < 0.00001), with a higher percentage of bitches in estrus or pregnant during the late monsoon season (September to November) compared to the other three seasons. The mean litter size based on embryo/fetal counts was 4.6 (95% CI = 4.0-5.3; n = 40) and based upon placental site counts was 4.4 (95% CI = 3.9-4.8; n = 105). Prevalence of fetal resorption was 32.6% (95% CI = 20.5-47.5; n = 43) with a mean of 2.8 resorptions per litter in those with at least one resorption (95% CI = 1.8-3.8; n = 14). This was the first study to estimate previous litter size of non-pregnant, free-ranging dogs based upon placental sites. Litter size data from this study will be used in a population demographic model to predict the long-term impact of animal birth control (ABC) on the free-ranging dog population in Jodhpur. Increasing the efforts to surgically sterilize bitches prior to the time of year of peak pregnancy or whelping will help maximize the impact of an ABC program on the Jodhpur free-ranging dog population.

The study of characterisation and economics of range land based camel production system uses primary data of randomly selected 75 camel breeders’ households in Kachchh region of arid Gujarat. Range land based camel production system was the main occupation for more than 90 per cent of sample households with average herd size of 40 camels. Net returns per camel herd per year were found to be INR 62, 687 with B: C ratio of 1.52. The Range land based camel production system was found financially viable enterprise with a payback period of 6 years, positive Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 41.31 per cent. Camel production is declining in Kachchh region mainly due to degrading range lands, alternate employment opportunities in newly established industries, and market factors, hence needs strategies for sustainable camel production.

This case report describes acral lick dermatitis in a six-month-old domestic rabbit, which presented with the complaint of excessive licking of the carpus of left forelimb. Clinical examination showed a single well demarcated, oval, alopecic, ulcerated lesion with peripheral hyperpigmentation and thickening at the carpus of left forelimb. Rabbit was successfully managed with oral fluoxetine and topical application of ointment containing fluocinolone acetonide in 0.025% concentration along with intralesional injection of hydrocortisone of 0.15 mL diluted in normal saline at two sites of a lesion at interval of one week. In addition to medical therapy, hard plastic cat ball, some baby toys, and gnawing sticks were kept with rabbit as a method of environmental enrichment with the purpose of mental stimulation.

The small-farm model is the surest route to broad-based economic development as they are multiple functionaries and provide immense benefits for society and for the biosphere. In food production, small farms are more productive and more efficient. With regard to cost and return, a small-farm economy offers a clear solution. Thus, a small farmer can intensify biodiversity and the greater the biodiversity, the higher the productivity and stability and sustainability of agriculture. Small family farms are the backbone of a community, of a nation and of a society as a whole. Small biodiverse farms based on internal inputs are in fact the only promise for increasing agricultural productivity, whether productivity is defined in terms of biological productivity or in terms of financial returns, or in terms of energy. This chapter presents a precise review on the benefits of multi-utility of small farms with the case study of Mr. Madan Lal Deora, a progressive farmer of Pali, district of Rajasthan in India who had established himself as a successful farmer adopting diversified farming system. He had adopted multiple cropping and farming system on his farm which is 1 ha in area by growing cereals, oilseeds, pulses, medicinal plants and forest plants with horticultural crops including fruits and vegetables. Along with agriculture, the farmer is having livestock which yields milk and the dung is converted into valuable vermicompost. Thus, this model of multifunctional small farm which integrate crops, horticulture, livestock and natural vegetation is key to sustainable development in countries dominated by small farms.