Assessment of land utilization pattern and livestock status in Himachal Pradesh, northwestern Himalaya

The present study was carried out in different agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh with the objective to assess land utilization pattern and livestock status. In the present study, maximum average landholding of 4.832 ha per household was recorded at Banalgi (Solan) in zone II in medium farmer category. Maximum agricultural landholding of 1.52 ha per household was recorded at Muling (Lahaul and Spiti) in zone IV in medium category, horticultural landholding of 1.291 ha at Kundi (Chamba) in zone III in medium category and silvi-pastoral landholding of 2.91 ha per household at Banalgi (Solan) in zone II in medium farmer category. Maximum average livestock per household (14.77) was recorded at Roghi (Kinnaur) in zone-IV in marginal farmer category. In all agro-climatic zones, marginal farmers possessed highest number of animals. Traditional milking was followed by all the households and no one followed mechanical milking. Majority applied foot and mouth disease vaccination. In vitro fertilization and traditional breeding methods were found in different zones. Farmers mainly used farmyard manure for crop production but in some cases, they used FYM for crop production as well as fuel purpose.