Feasibility of Livestock Rearing among Tribals of Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kannur Districts of Kerala

Abstract

The aim of this study is know the feasibility of livestock rearing practice among tribals of Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala. The tribals living in Wayanad, Khozikode and Kannur districts of Kerala were taken in the study as these districts has highest number of tribal population. The results from the study found that half of the respondents from all the three districts were found literate and regarding livestock possession majority of respondents from Wayanad had more number of cattle whereas from Kozhikode and Kannur had more number of goats. Further regarding the feasibility of livestock rearing practice in Wayanad Veterinary hospital, Milk society, Tribal Extension Office, School and Club were all present within 2.5 km radius whereas in Kozhikode Government Homeo-Hospital, Tribal and Cooperative society were situated within the radius of 1 km and in Kannur within the geographical area of 5 Km they have School and Tribal development office, but they don’t have any facilities like Veterinary hospital and Milk society. It is concluded from the study that almost all the tribal families were interested in agriculture and livestock rearing related activities and also they have veterinary facilities within 3-10 km radius. The predominance of forests and grasslands is congenial for livestock rearing, but most of these tribal families still depended on leased livestock; thus if livestock is provided to the family it would help them in better income generation, also commercial poultry rearing as a subsidiary occupation has scope for increasing the farm income of these tribals.