An Exploratory Study on Marketing Pattern of Bannur Sheep in Karnataka

Abstract

Sheep and Goat husbandry was practiced by man earlier to crop husbandry, because it provided him ready source of food and clothing. Bannur or Mandya sheep breed has been acclaimed to be one of the most important and dominant indigenous breed of Karnataka and India. More than production, marketing was considered as important component in livestock sector. The study on marketing pattern by farmers of bannur sheep rearing was purposively conducted in two taluks, Malavalli and T. Narasipura from Mandya and Mysore districts respectively. A total of 200 sheep rearing farmers were selected randomly for the study. The results revealed that majority of the Bannur sheep farmers separately sold their sheep directly on the basis of age and they expressed that middlemen were not helpful in marketing. Shandy is the major marketing channel in these areas followed by middlemen involvement. Farmers opined that getting actual price and more profit was the major advantageous in direct marketing but it takes a longer duration from producer to reach consumers. Majority of the farmers indicated that the actual weight basis method was the best method in fixing the price and also considered as most ideal method of marketing. Most of the farmers were not satisfied with the present marketing system and they expressed that the direct sale from the producer was the best alternative for new marketing system. The net profit for rearing a single bannur sheep was Rs. 3540/-. The findings of the study indicated that the farmers were facing the problems of sheep marketing. Efforts may be initiated to establish separate market for selling Bannur sheep and wool as it fetches higher price especially at Malavlli taluk.