BREED PREFERENCE AND BREEDING PRACTICES OF DAIRY FARMERS IN BHUTAN

Abstract

Cross breeding program started long ago but very little information has been documented. This study was conducted in all 20 districts with the objective to analyze breeding practices followed and breed preference by farmers. The study sampled 566 households spread across all four regions. Field interviews were conducted using a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Jersey with an exotic blood level of 62.5-81.25 percent was preferred mainly due to high milk yield and small body size requiring less feed. Both natural mating and Artificial Insemination (AI) were practiced. For breed improvement program, exotic breeding bulls were used since first Five Year Plan (1961-65), followed by AI in 1987. Farmers used AI more than other cross breeding methods. Along with improvement in genetic potential of animals, equal importance should also be given to factors such as good husbandry practices, appropriate genotypes suitable to different production systems, and proper recording system. This study suggests that there is a need for strategic investment and intervention by government to enable development of a dairy breed suitable to Bhutanese conditions. Further, a comparative study needs to be carried out to test whether Jersey outweighs other exotic dairy breeds in milk production and other parameters.