| An ex-post facto research was designed to study the livelihood security of LIG members involved in Bidri goat rearing in Bidar district. Data collected through the interview schedule and focused group discussion revealed that, all the six groups selected for study had two years or more of goat rearing experience. All the LIGs were homogenous with respect to caste (only SC & ST),consisted of young age group ranging from 25 -34 years, with 61.42 per cent literates and majority (78.57%) with a medium family size of 4-7. Goat rearing as an IGA, to start with a small unit of four goats has provided 180 man days of annual employment and an average income of Rs. 20445 per member per annum along with an asset of 9.17 goats per member in a span of two years . Apart from this, LIG has also helped the members to become empowered in terms of improved saving habit, acquisition of better technical knowledge on goat rearing, decision making ability in the community, access to larger quantum of resources, gained better leadership and communication skills, improved standard of living, contact with bank and other government officers. This socio economic transformation and empowerment clearly indicated that there is an improvement in livelihood security of the LIG members. The main constraints in goat rearing were, availability of grazing land in summer, disease problem in goats, wild animals attacking goats, problem of ticks, problem of housing in rainy and winter season, scarcity of drinking water in summer, mortality in kids, problems in availing veterinary services in order of severity. |
