Involvement of Women in Surti Goat Rearing

Surti goat is a precious dual purpose breed of south Gujarat region and is mostly reared by Muslim community in one or two numbers in towns and cities of South Gujarat region situated on western coastal belt from Bharuch to Navsari districts. A survey was conducted to study the role of women in surti goat rearing in 11 small towns of South Gujarat region. The results indicated that involvement of women were maximum in the operations like feeding, cleaning of shed, milking, care of kids and sick animals. The children assisted their parents in daily routine operations related to surti goat rearing. Interestingly, the jobs related with sale of animal, breeding and treatment of animals were predominantly done by men as these jobs had involvement of people other than family members. However, the income from sale of animal was considered as the income of the spouse or children.