Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part H (2024)

Author(s): MG Kapgate, Bhavana R Wankhade, AB Motghare, VD Borkar and PR Gaikwad

Abstract: Kathani was lesser-known cattle breed in eastern part of Vidarbha of Maharashtra. The present investigation was carried out on “Adoption of feeding and management practices followed by Kathani cattle owners in Sakoli Tahsil of Bhandara district”. Information is collected from 200 farmers which are classified based on their land holdings. Majority of the Kathani cattle owners (44.50%) were having Marginal land holding. Majority of the respondent (40.50%) owned 2 to 5 animals. Population of male Kathani cattle was more (50.73%) among the cattle owners followed by female (49.27%) cattle. Majority of cattle owners (80.50%) followed grazing + stall feeding practice. In economic studies it is seen that, from the total cost of rearing about 72.52 percent of cost is on feeding practices and 27.48 percent on management practices. Average annual production of dairy cattle is Rs. 44,525 from which 56.20 percent from milk production, 30.32 percent from draft value of male and 6.73% from each manure production and young calf. After calculating the profitability estimate, total cost of rearing is Rs. 32,054, Gross Monetary Return (GMR) is Rs. 44,525, Net Monetary Return (NMR) is Rs. 12,471 and B:C ratio is 1.38:1. From the above results it is seen that, the milk production of Kathani cattle is less and it is concluded that Kathani cattle is the major draught purpose breed of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.