沙漠研究 24-1, 61-64 (2014)
Ἃ₍◊✲ 24-1, 61 - 64 (2014)
Journal of Arid Land Studies
Journal of Arid Land Studies－ DT11 Refereed Paper －㸫DT11 Refereed Paper㸫Livestock Migration in the Arid Region of Rajasthan (India)- Strategy to Cope with Fodder and Water Scarcity Mounir LOUHAICHI*1), Khem CHAND2), Arun KUMAR MISRA2), Mahesh KUMAR GAUR2),
Sarker ASHUTOSH3), Douglas E. JOHNSON4) and Murari M. ROY2)
Abstract: Livestock rearing is an important pathway out of poverty for both pastoralist communities and mixed crop-livestock
farmers in drylands. Pastoral enterprises make an important contribution to the state, as well as to the national economy, despite theirlocation in the most drought-prone part of India. Livestock keepers move their animals in search of better forage and water resources
during scarcity periods. Thus livestock mobility allows pastoralists to maintain their flocks and lead productive lives. The objectiveof this study was to analyze the existing and emerging trends with respect to livestock mobility, issues of animal management andproblems faced during migration. A stratified random sampling method was used for household surveys. The results revealed thatthe main community rearing livestock in western Rajasthan was the Raika. The flock/herd size varied from 42 to 250 small
ruminants and 35 to 220 cattle. Three kinds of livestock migration were prevalent in the study areas: 1) local/temporary 2)
semi-migration in large size flocks and 3) permanent migration where animals are permanently moved from the home tract to other
districts or states. It is important to understand livestock migration within the context of the larger agricultural, environmental, andsociological systems so that rational policies can be formulated and implemented.
Key Words: Grazing, Livelihood, Livestock, Migration, Policies

1. Introduction
Livestock production is an important agricultural enterprisein dryland regions and in most semiarid agricultural systems
where the animal component is present (Spedding, 1979).
Pastoralists, by definition, derive most of their livelihood fromraising livestock on natural forages or crop residue, rather thanon cultivated and stored fodder or fenced pastures (Sanford,1983). For the pastoralists of western Rajasthan, India,
domestic animals are a living asset that contribute to householdincome, food security, and health through dietary
diversification. The western Rajasthan pastoral system,
which evolved over the last 5 centuries, is centered on the useof large tracts of uncultivable and marginal land coupled withseasonal use of rainfed cropland. The pastoralists havedeveloped traditional migration routes and a partition ofresponsibilities, with some castes specializing in animal
herding and others in cropping (Malhotra and Mann, 1982).
Over the centuries, herders have developed traditional
knowledge of animal husbandry and natural resource
management. This knowledge has allowed them to endure
periodic severe droughts on their communally-managed
rangelands (Kavoori, 2005). This study was conducted toanalyze livestock migration with following objectives:
To document and analyze existing migration strategies andemerging trends in Rajasthan.
To analyze status of livestock husbandry and production
constraints encountered by migrating flocks and herds.

2. Methodology
Four districts from western Rajasthan (Pali, Jodhpur,Barmer and Jalore) with significant numbers of migratory
cattle or small ruminant flocks were selected for study (Fig. 1).
A stratified random sampling method was used to selecthouseholds within each district, tehsil (administrative unit in a
district with defined geographical boundaries) and village. A
complete inventory of all the migratory and non migratory
livestock households was undertaken in selected villages.
The livestock households were categorized into small, medium,and large based on the cumulative square root method ofstratification (Singh, 1975). Finally, 125 sample households,
each from migratory and non migratory category, wereselected on the basis of probability proportionate to the numberof households in each category. As cattle herders weremigrating during the deficit period, all the 33 households
rearing cattle were selected for the present study.

* Corresponding Author: m.louhaichi@cgiar.org

㸦Received, September 7th, 2013; Accepted, January 2nd, 2014㸧

P.O Box 950764, Amman, 11195, Jordan
1) International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, ICARDA, Amman, Jordan
2) Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Division of Livestock Production System & Range Management
3) International Center for Agricultural Research in the Drya Areas, ICARDA South Asia &China Regional Program4) Oregon State University, Animal and Rangeland Sciences Department

62

mainly dependent on livestock keeping rearing for theirlivelihood. About 74 percent of the households had small
land holdings (less than 2 ha) with an option to grow one
rainfed crop only in the absence of irrigation. The survey also
indicates low education levels among sample households as
88% of cattle herders and 90% of sheep flock owners wereilliterate. Average family size of cattle and sheep herders was
5.6 and 5.4, respectively. As male members of migratory
households move outside, female members look after theagriculture fields. Further, female members supplement theirfamily income by general labor work on other farmer’s field orgetting employment under government sponsored employment
schemes in the village.

Fig. 1. Study area.

The study was conducted in a Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA) context which integrates knowledge and opinions fromrural people in rural development/research projects (Bhandari,2003). Data was gathered through Participatory RuralAppraisal (PRA); key informant interviews (discussions withpeople who have specialized local knowledge of migration
strategies), and personal interviews during 2012-13. Data onsocio economic status of livestock owners, investment inanimals, breeding, and other management practices werecollected. Detailed information on migration routes andproblems faced by herders was also collected. Migrationroutes were tracked by fitting 2 cows and 2 sheep with Clark
Animal Tracking System (ATS) collars that recorded date, time,and position at 1 hour intervals during migration (Clark et al.,2006).
The standard analytical and statistical procedures wereused for data analysis. The linear regression equation was
fitted by the ordinary least-squares method to find therelationship between migration of respondents (Y) anddifferent factors like flock size (X1), age of respondent (X2),
education status of owner of household (X3), total adultmembers of family indicating labor supply (X4) and size ofoperational land holding (X5).

3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Socio-economic profile of households
The Raika people represent the majority of stock owners inwestern Rajasthan. Flock/herd size varies from 42 to 250
small ruminants and 35 to 220 cattle. These people were

3.2. Migration of livestock
Migration of animals in search of better fodder and water is
a common practice of western Rajasthan. The degree ofmobility depends on flock/ herd size, the location of the family
or village, as well as on the amount of fodder produced in agiven year. Results revealed three kinds of livestock
migration 1) local/temporary migration, 2) semi-migration and3) permanent migration. 1) Local/Temporary migration ispracticed by people with smaller flock (<50 head) sizes
generally migrate for short periods (6-12 weeks). They movefrom their home villages to grazing areas in neighboringvillages within the district when the local pastures areexhausted. Migration takes place mainly between Novemberand June. 2) Semi-migration is practiced bypeople withlarger flock/herd sizes who face difficulty in maintaining theanimals near the native surroundings during the dry season(November to July/August). They typically migrate out ofthe district or state during the dry season, but return to theirnative area in the following monsoon season. 3) Permanent
migration, wherelarge herds/flocks are permanently movingfrom the home location to other districts or states. For long
distance migration, about 10-20 persons join together andmove simultaneously with their animals seeking safety anduniting against other management related problems and threatson the way. One experienced person within the group is
appointed as leader who visits in advance different locations
where animals are to be taken for grazing. Migration strategy
of livestock owners revolves around availability of fodder andwater resources in native region. In good rainfall years, they
may delay their departure by 1-2 months. The departure ofherds is linked with crop harvesting in other regions. During
the migration, animals graze on fallow harvested fields offarmers.
The regression analysis indicated significant
positive effect of flock size and adult family members in familyon the event of migration. The other factors viz. age ofrespondent, education status and operational holding size were63

Table 1. Linear estimates of factors influencing livestock migration.
Variable
Variable

Description
Description ofof variablevariable

Constant
Cons tant
X1SizeX1
Size ofof flockflock (nos)
(nos)
X2
Age
X2
Age ofof respondent
respondent (yrs)(yrs)
X3
Education
X3
Education status
status of owner ofhouseholdhousehold (yrs of schooling)
X4
Total
X4
Total adult
adult members
members inin familyfamily
(nos)
(nos)
X5
Size
X5
Size ofof operational
operational land
land holding
holding
(ha)
(ha)
NN
22
R
R

0.516***
0. 516***0.0049***-0.0095***-0.0095***-- 0.0621**
0.0621**

Standard
Standard
error
error
0.0927
0. 09270.00040.00090.03410.0318***0.0318***0.0136-0.0122*-0.0122*0.0094

Coefficient
Coefficient

250
250
0.5375***0.5375***

Note: ***, ** and * indicate significance at 1, 5 and 10 percent levels,respectively.

Fig. 2. Cattle Migration Buffer (of 20 kms).

Fig. 3. Cattle Migration Route with land use and cover layer.

found to be negatively associated with migration (Table 1).
3.3. Migration routes
Migration routes of livestock are well established (Saha etal., 2008). People from Jodhpur, Barmer, Pali, and Jalore
districts generally migrate towards Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, and Haryana. The exact routes of cattle migration,
time taken to reach watering points, as well as the total distancetravelled has been mapped and calculated through GPS Collars.
Analysis of a 20 km land use/land cover buffer on themigration route (Figs. 2 and 3) reveals that 0.06 per cent of theurban land , 29.06 per cent of cropland, and 48.57 per cent of
fallow lands was utilized by migrating animals for grazing andresting purposes.
Peculiarly, tracked migrating animals did not enter into theforest areas. Based on animal tracking data, it has beenshown that animals drink water once a day and if available, it
may be twice a day. Sometimes, they have to cover 18-22km, from the migration route, to locate a water source. The
animals on an average travelled 7.09 km before migration, 8.8
km during migration, and 8.71 km/day across the entire
observation period. The overall distance travelled by animals
was 1550 km from 9th January to 28th June 2013.
3.4. Management of Livestock and Constraints
Cattle and small ruminant rearers adopt traditional
livestock management practices in western Rajasthan.
Animals are highly dependent on common grazing and fallow
lands, and post harvested crop fields.
Jodha (1986)
documented the role of common grazing lands in the rural
economy in a study based on 82 villages in 7 Indian states.
He found that while common pastures were not highly
productive, they provided an important resource for poor
people lacking access to private lands and other productive
resources. Grazing in common village pastures and forests
was estimated to account for 31% of livestock feed
consumption in India (World Bank, 1999). The decline of thecommon lands disproportionately harms the poor, whodepends more than others on these lands (Osman et al., 2001).
The expenses on purchase of fodder was almost negligible.
Cattle provide only 1-2 kg of concentrate feed to their lactatinganimals.
Small ruminant owners provided strategic
supplemental feed for 4 -5 days to weaker sheep and lambs
during winter season as not to affect their productive efficiency.
Livestock migrating outside their home villages rarely consult
veterinarians and treat sick animals by themselves, insteadusing traditional pharmacopeia or directly purchasing themedicines from the agents or nearby markets.
The
constraints to animal production faced at the village and during
migration, as identified and ranked are explained in Table 2.

4. Conclusion
The migration of domestic animals in western Rajasthan is
an age old practice that allows livestock keepers to maintaintheir herds because of better fodder and water availability inother neighboring states. The deterioration of common
grazing lands has made it difficult for large herd owners tomaintain the animals in their native areas round the year.
Though livestock keepers have their own management system
which determines routes to be followed and areas to beapproached for grazing, they face difficulties in obtaining
institutional health services, quality medicines at reasonable
prices, and also protection from criminals on migratory routes.
Improving the condition of the common grazing lands and64

Table 2. Constraints faced by the respondents.
S . No.
N o.
12

Name
N ame ofof constraint
con strai nt
Rapid decline of common grazing lands (Gochar and Oran ) due to encroachment
Proliferation of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. (angrezi babul) in common lands

RankRankIVII

34LackLack ofof good
good quality
qualit y fodder
fodder grasses
gras ses onon rangelands
rangelands
Restrictions to livestock grazing on land controlled by the forest department

IIIIV

5
6

Farmers’ unwillingness to allow grazing on their fallow lands and harvested fields,
Harassment
H arass ment andand exposure
exp osure tot o criminal
criminal elements
element s during
during migration
migrat ion

78TheftT heft ofof animals
animals during
during stayst ay inin otherot her districts/
dis t rict s/ statess t at es
Lack
Lack ofof livestock
lives t ock healthhealt h services
services andand quality
qualit y veterinary
vet erinary medicines
medicines

VIIVIV
VIII
VIII

9

Communication gaps between migratory herders and government officials

religious trust-owned pastures with community participation
could provide better forage resources that fulfill the nutritional
requirements of migrating animals. The interventions of state
government by making provision of mobile veterinary services
and quality medicines on different migratory routes will help in
reducing losses to livestock owners. Further, control ofcriminals shall provide a healthy space for livestock owners in
different regions and ensure safety of people engaged in thisenterprise.

References
Bhandari B.B. (2003): Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. Hayama,Kanagawa, Japan, 22 p.
Clark P.E., Johnson D.E., Kniep M.A., Jermann P., Huttash B.,
Wood A., Johnson M., McGillivan C., Titus K. (2006): An
advanced, low-cost, GPS-based animal tracking system.
Rangeland Ecol. Manage., 59: 334-340.
Jodha N.S. (1986): Poor in dry region in India. Econ Polit.
Weekly., 21(27): 169-181.
Kavoori P.S. (2005): Pastoralism in Expansion, Thetranshuming herders of western Rajasthan. Oxford
University Press, 226 p.
Malhotra P.S., Mann H.S. (1982): Desertification and theIII
III
IX

organization of society. In Spooner B., Mann H.S. eds.,
Desertification and Development: Dryland Ecology inSocial Perspective. Academic Press, London.
Osman M., Mishra P.K., Misra A.K., Dixit S., RamachandranK., Singh H.P., Rama Rao C.A., Korwar G.R. (2001):
Common Pool Resources in Semi-arid India: A review ofdynamics, management and livelihood contributions.
CRIDA/CWS/AK RSP(I)/WRMLtd/MSU/NRI Report No.
2649, 102 p.
Saha D.K., Patwa F.C., Mathur Y.N., Soni V.K. (2008):
Pastoralism: a source of livelihood and its socio-economic
implications. In Narain P., Singh M.P., Kar A., Kathju S.,
Kumar P. eds., Diversification of arid farming systems.
AZRAI and Scientific Publishers. Jodhpur, India. pp.
430-439.
Sanford S. (1983): Management of pastoral development in thethird world. John Wiley a Sons Ltd, 330 p.
Singh R. (1975): On optimum stratification for proportional
allocation. Sankhya, 37: Series C, Part I. 109 p.
Spedding C.R.W. (1979): Introduction to Agricultural Systems.
Elsevier Science and Technology, 178 p.
World Bank (1999): India Livestock Sector Review: Enhancing
Growth and Development. The World Bank, Washington
D.C and Allied Publishers, New Delhi.