Economic Analysis of Diversified Farming on Tribal Farms in Himachal Pradesh

The data collected through two-stage stratified random sampling design from Bharmaur tehsil of Chamba district (H.P.) reveals the existence of diversified farming on tribal farms. In addition to growing traditional cereals, off-mums vegetables and milch animals, the Gaddi tribals were further found to diversify their enterprises-mix by rearing sheep and goats. These small ruminants together accounted for nearly 52 per cent of the total brie insane of Gaddi farms. The Gaddi are semi-riontadic and semi-pastoral tribe who constantly move, with their flocks of sheep and goats, in an annual circle from winter pastures in plains to the alpine lush green pastures in the summer. The impact of sheep and goat farming on the ecology and environment of the state has been a quite controversial issue with one school of thought advocating the environmental degradation whereas the other school negates it and favours the socio-economic gains associated with sheep and goat rearing. However, in the wake of various obstacles, problems and complications associated with sheep and goat fanning, the Gaddi shepherds are despirited, depressed, frustrated and dejected. They are carrrying out their profession in a half-hearted manner. The study brought out the fact that state Government should come forward to tackle the day by day extinction of this profession of shepherding as it would create heavy imbalances in the economy of the tribal households in particular and the state in general

Agricultural science · Agriculture · Archaeology · Biology · Flock · Geography · Political science · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Stratified sampling · Tribe · Agricultural Economics and Practices · Agricultural Systems and Practices · Law · Livestock Management and Performance Improvement · Ecology