Importance and Challenge of Sheep Rearing in the Economy of Western Rajasthan

Abstract

The state situated to the west of the Aravalli range of Rajasthan is sandy and sandy. There are 12 districts in this state, in which Ganganagar, Barmer, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Churu, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pali, Jalore, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts have been included. The western part adjoining the Aravallis is semi-arid, while the western part is arid desert region. Due to the scarcity of water, the possibility of agriculture is also less, due to which animal husbandry is a main occupation for most of the population. A large number of small and marginal tenants, agricultural laborers and other rural poor people depend on livestock for gainful employment. Sheep rearing is one of the main occupations in animal husbandry because it can be considered more favorable to the climatic and economic conditions here. The heterogeneity of climate and uncertainty of rainfall, extreme temperatures, high and low, lack of humidity, storms and heat wave are common here among natural factors.  The lack of permanent pastures due to the harsh climate, low amount of grasses and shrubs of low nutritional value, saline and alkaline soil, and rocky / sandy nature of the surface, and lack of underground water are also the reasons for the backwardness of sheep rearing.