A study from Western Odisha reveals the severe challenges animal husbandry farmers face when drought strikes, and how they are adapting to a changing climate.
Farmers Surveyed
Districts Covered
Key Constraints
For countless smallholder farmers in Western Odisha, livestock is more than just cattle; it's a living insurance policy, a source of daily nutrition, and a crucial safety net when crops fail 7 . However, this vital lifeline is under severe threat from a recurring natural disaster: drought. A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences delves into the major constraints faced by animal husbandry farmers in the drought-prone western parts of Odisha, India 1 . The research paints a clear picture of the ripple effects of water scarcity, showing how it cripples productivity, threatens household food security, and disrupts the entire economic system surrounding livestock 1 . This article explores the study's key findings, explaining the science behind the struggle and highlighting the resilience of those who tend the herds.
In regions with unpredictable rainfall and fragile agricultural economies, livestock acts as a critical pillar of livelihood. For small and marginal farmers, animals like cattle, goats, and poultry provide a diversified source of income, which is especially crucial when income from crop production is not assured 7 . They are a walking bank account—a source of immediate cash during emergencies, a provider of nutrient-rich food for the family, and a supplier of traction for plowing fields 7 . When drought withers crops, the family's reliance on its livestock intensifies, even as the resources to maintain those animals become scarcer.
To systematically understand the challenges, researchers conducted a detailed study in three districts of Western Odisha: Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Nuapada 1 .
The research employed a stratified random sampling method to ensure a representative sample 1 . A total of 72 respondents, for whom animal husbandry was a primary occupation, were selected from across the three districts 1 . The data was collected through personal interviews and structured schedules, focusing on capturing the farmers' first-hand experiences and perceptions of constraints during drought periods 7 . This qualitative approach allowed researchers to rank the problems based on their severity as reported by the farmers themselves.
Ensures a representative sample by selecting respondents randomly from specific subgroups to improve accuracy 1 .
Pre-defined questions used in personal interviews to gather comparable qualitative and quantitative data 7 .
Quantifies subjective experiences by having farmers list and rank problems to create intervention priorities 1 .
Investigates outcomes and their causes after they have occurred, such as studying the effects of past drought 7 .
The study identified and ranked a series of major constraints. The results show a clear progression of challenges, from the immediate impact on animals to the broader socio-economic consequences for the family.
| Rank | Constraint | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decrease in Productivity | Drought directly causes a decline in animal productivity, including reduced milk yield and health 1 . |
| 2 | Affected Marketing Facilities | Marketing channels for livestock and their products (e.g., milk, manure) are disrupted 1 . |
| 3 | Threat to Food Security | Low production from animals leads to reduced household food and nutritional availability 1 . |
| 4 | Distress Sale of Livestock | Farmers are forced to sell their assets at low prices due to the inability to maintain them 1 . |
| 5 | Increased Cost of Feed | The scarcity of natural fodder and water drives up the cost of purchased feed 1 . |
The findings are deeply interlinked. A drought-induced decrease in productivity is primarily driven by a lack of water and a sharp decline in the availability and quality of fodder 7 . As natural grazing lands dry up, farmers are forced to purchase expensive commercial feed, leading to the increased cost of feed 1 . This, combined with water scarcity itself, stresses the animals, making them more susceptible to diseases, which further reduces productivity 1 .
Unable to bear the rising costs and with no milk to sell, farmers often have no choice but to engage in distress sales of their livestock 1 . This provides short-term relief but depletes their long-term capital.
Furthermore, the study found that these pressures have profound secondary impacts, including disrupting children's education and affecting the overall social and psychological well-being of the farming families 1 .
Water scarcity begins, natural fodder becomes limited, animal health starts declining.
Milk yield decreases significantly, animals show signs of malnutrition and stress.
Farmers face increased feed costs while income from livestock products plummets.
Unable to maintain animals, farmers sell livestock at low prices to cover expenses.
Household food security threatened, children's education disrupted, psychological stress increases.
Despite the severe challenges, the study noted a thread of resilience. A majority of the farmers interacted with did not see drought as a severe threat to animal husbandry itself, perceiving it as less dependent on climatic variations than crop farming 1 . This highlights an important adaptation strategy: the diversification of livelihoods to spread risk.
However, this resilience should not be mistaken for a lack of need for support. The study's findings point to clear areas where intervention can make a significant difference.
The research from Western Odisha underscores that drought's impact on animal husbandry is not a single event but a cascade of failures—from the biological stress on individual animals to the collapse of local markets and the erosion of household nutritional security. The constraints are deeply interconnected, meaning solutions must be, too. Addressing this requires a multi-pronged approach: ensuring affordable feed and veterinary care during dry periods, creating reliable marketing infrastructure, and developing insurance schemes to prevent distress sales. Supporting these farmers is not just about protecting livestock; it's about safeguarding the economic and food security of entire communities against an increasingly unpredictable climate.