Cattle Rearing: Case Study 7, Jaintia Hills
Cattle Rearing: Case Study 7, Jaintia Hills
| Main Info | ML/JH/VET/007: Indigenous Cattle Rearing Practice, Jaintia Hills |
| Name of the Technique | Traditional Knowledge on Cattle Rearing |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |
| History Of The Technique | The knowledge holder aged 36 years old from Jaintia Hills region has been practicing cattle farming for the past 10 years and owns about four numbers of indigenous cattle. |
| Manufacturing technique | Cattle Shed: The entire cattle shed wall is surrounded by wooden planks and tin and with wooden flooring. The roof is covered by using a thick tripal which is attached to the wooden planks. A small wooden tray like structure is attached to the side which is used for storing hay for feeding the cattle and an aluminum bowl is kept next to the hay for storing water. The cattle sheds are cleaned regularly in order to remove the dirt and foul smell. The shed is well ventilated and roofed so that the cattle are protected from various climatic conditions. |
| Method of Preparation | (Feed): The cattle are usually fed through open grazing and through animal feed. (Disease Management): The common disease which affects the cattle includes “niang-tyrsim” and this disease is treated through traditional medicine. |
| Material Composition | Characteristics of the cattle: • Colour: Two cattle which are black in colour and two are brown. • Size: Average size of the cattle is 350-400 kgs. • Ear size: 5 inches • Tail length: 1 metre. • Horns: Number of horns is two. • Size and shape of horns: height: 1.5 ft, shape is round and elongated which is 1 ft. • Colour of horns: Brown and grey. • Hump size and shape: height: 1.5ft, shape is round which is 1 ft. • Growth rate: live weight in kg per year of the cattle is 60-70kgs. • Age of maturity: Eight years and two years in case of female cattle. |
| How to implement | Economic Value: Almost every household in the village owns these indigenous cattle mainly for the purpose of meat consumption, for generating manure of about 3-5kgs per day, for engaging them in traditional labour activities and to sell in order to generate revenue. When the cattle reaches the age of complete maturity; they are directly sold in the market having a cost of Rs. 90,000-100,000 per cattle or it is even sold to people who have gone through booking system which reaches the price of Rs. 200,000- 500,000. The price of beef is sold at Rs. 500-550 per kg and is sold locally. The overall cost of the cattle during the time of rearing is Rs. 10,000 per month for the four cattle. |
| New R & D leads | Traditional Cattle Rearing |
| Theme | Traditional Animal Husbandry |
| Sub Theme | Cattle |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |