Gaddi Field Unit CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Principal Investigator

Dr. P. K. Dogra Professor (AG&B)

Activity assigned and targets fixed for each activity during the period

Since, the Unit is actively engaged in brining upon improvement in farmers flock of Gaddi breed, following activities were assigned to the unit along with implementation of technical programme.

• Identification, selection and rearing of approximately 50 kids for future buck production. The selection of male kids should based on type of birth and weaning weight.
• Distribution of superior bucks amongst farmers of adopted villages and also to the goat farmers of the state for genetic improvement purpose.
• Follow-up action plan for performance recording when goats are on migration to high altitudes.
• Organization of animal health, vaccination and deworming camps, trainings to the farmer in the field units.
• Development and execution of a health and fodder calendar.
• Documentation on Impact of the project, production and economic status of farmers. 

Activity carried out during the period

            The unit is based in Himalayas region and working on migratory flock. It is difficult to follow goats in high hill terrains. The Unit has being doing performance recording and genetic improvement work in farmers flock. The detailed work is as under.

1. Four field units comprising of 1149 goats including 749 breedable does belonging to four different migratory routes were monitored. All the animals were identified by ear tagging.
2. A total of 625 young kids were added in selected flocks by way of birth, 118 animals of different age groups died and 459 animals pertaining to different age groups were sold by the owners.
3. A total of 30 male kids of 4-6 months age group were purchased from these units after primary selection on the basis of morphological characteristics and better/ higher growth rates. These male kids were then transferred to Palampur center for subsequent rearing up to the age of sexual maturity, following all standard management practices. After final selection, a total of 17 males were finally distributed to 15 different farmers as a breeding input.
4. The observed twinning percentage in Gaddi goats was 19.96 % and this trait is being taken care while selecting the male kids for further buck rearing.
5. All selected animals were provided health coverage under migratory field conditions viz. vaccination against PPR (200 doses), de-worming (900 animals) against endo-parasites after fecal sample analysis, periodic health checkups etc.
6. Strategic supplementary feeding was also provided in the form of mineral mixture (344 Kg) and concentrate feed (49 qtls.) supply.
7. Collaboration with state Animal Husbandry Department was ensured while providing health coverage and other related activities.

Detailed Achievements

All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement on Gaddi Field Unit is located at HPKV, Palampur (HP). It was sanctioned on 17th February 2009, but the actual work could start only with the recruitment of project staff w.e.f.. January 2010. The survey results showed that breeding tract of Gaddi goats is distributed mainly in the pockets of Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Chamba districts. The average family size was 5.82 and land holdings 8.88 bigha per family. The farmers followed very primitive health practices for their flock and about 62.19 per cent of the farmers had the awareness about signs of most commonly occurring diseases.

The flock statistics of Gaddi goats under different field units during the period 2013-14 have been presented in Table 1. The opening balance of the flock as on 01.04.2013 was 1149 comprising of 749 breedable does and 7 bucks, 5 male growers and 210 female kids below 1 years of age. A total of 625 young kids (273 male and 352 female) were added by way of birth, 118 animals of different age groups (22 male and 96 female) died and 459 animals (252 male and 207 female) pertaining to different age groups were sold. Out of the available male progeny 30 animals in the age group of 3-4 months, on the basis of better growth rate, were put to primary selection and purchased from the selected flocks. They were then transferred to head quarter at COVAS, Palampur and reared up to the age of sexual maturity following standard practices under semi-intensive system of management. After attaining the age of sexual maturity, a total of 17 (seventy) males were finally selected on the basis of body weights and breed characteristics and distributed to the farmers as breeding bucks. The closing balance as on 31.03.2014 was 1197 animals under different age groups.
Table 1: Flock Statistics of Gaddi Goats

Body Weight

Table 2:  Least Square Means of body weights at different ages (kg) in
Gaddi goats

Reproduction

The population growth (%) and reproductive performance in Gaddi goats during the period 2013-14 has been shown in table 3. The perusal of table indicates that out of 625 kids born, 72 died due to various causes representing an overall population growth of 106.14%. Number of twin births recorded was 104 (19.96%) and 35 cases of abortions/ still births (6.71 %) were also observed. The means for reproductive performance were calculated from different observations as given below in the Table 3.
Table 3:  Reproductive Performance of the Gaddi goats (2013-14)

Health Management

The prophylactic treatment and strategic input distribution to the animals under different field units during the period under report has been given in Table 4. All the animals were vaccinated against PPR, provided dipping bath to eradicate ecto-parasites and de-worming against endo-parasites after faecal sample examination. Periodic health checks ups were arranged in which treatment of sick animals was done and medicines were provided. Under strategic input distribution a special mineral mixture for sheep and goats (developed by department of Animal Nutrition, COVAS, CSKHPKV, Palampur) and concentrate feed was provided.

Table 4: Prophylactic treatment and strategic input distribution to the animals under different field units (2013-14)

Biometric Measurements of Gaddi Goats at Different Age Groups 
The biometric measurements of Gaddi goats at different age groups during the period under report are given in table 5. The overall body length, body height and body girth at birth was 31.88, 34.38 and 36.50 cm, respectively. The corresponding figures at three month were 52.84, 51.86 and 56.22 cm, at six months were 60.12, 57.84 and 63.58 cm, at nine months were 62.40, 61.99 and 64.71 cm and at twelve months were 66.48, 65.25 and 74.27 cm, respectively.
Table 5: Biometric Measurements of Gaddi at Different Age Groups

Gaps/constraints/shortfalls/excess and reasons thereof, if any

The Gaddi flocks go on migration for about 6 months. Following them up for data recording, implementation of technical programme is great concern.

PC’s evaluation: very good (A) Good (B) poor (C)

------------------Good (B) -----------------

Future programme identifying the activities, timeline and targets for each of the activity

            Since, the Unit is actively engaged in brining upon improvement in farmers flock of Gaddi breed, following activities are to be done priority basis.

1. Identification, selection and rearing of approximately 50 kids for future buck production. The selection of male kids should based on type of birth and weaning weight.
2. Distribution of superior bucks amongst farmers of adopted villages and also to the goat farmers of the state for genetic improvement purpose.
3. Follow-up action plan for performance recording when goats are on migration to high altitudes.
4. Organization of animal health, vaccination and deworming camps, trainings to the farmer in the field units.
5. Development and execution of a health and fodder calendar.
6. Documentation on Impact of the project, production and economic status of farmers. 

Remarks