Means for Retaining Farming Communities in Semi-Arid Regions of Gujarat State

Developmental programme are carried out to support small holder farming communities for their livelihood. The research study was conducted in Panchmahal district of Gujarat to understand the nature of agricultural system, socio-economic status, cropping and livestock rearing pattern for implementing suitable interventions. It was found that agriculture productivity was less intensive and majority of farmers had inclination towards rearing of buffaloes. Majority of the respondents did not have higher level of education and had an average 4.35 acres of land for cultivation. The system of feeding is mostly stall fed and did not found any significant impact over milk yield of animals in comparison with grazing system. The milk co-operative societies played greater role for monetary incentive among most of the respondents. It is suggested that the nature of feeding system, changing preference to rearing of livestock, agricultural cultivation and dependence of dairy societies by smallholders need to be given adequate consideration in promoting location specific technologies.