Constraints Due to Endoparasitic Infection and Health Management in Sheep Farms: A Perception Analysis

The study was undertaken to identify and prioritize the constraints faced by the sheep farmers due to endoparasitic infection because these endoparasitic infections among sheep negatively impact their productivity and reproductive efficiency, which in turn directly influences the farmers’ socio-economic status. To conduct the study, Primary data from 90 sheep farmers were collected from three districts of the North Eastern zone of Tamil Nadu, viz., Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore, with the help of a structured pre-tested interview schedule by personal interview method. A Likert scale was used to assess the intensity of constraints and scores were obtained to prioritize the constraints. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine the factors associated with the intensity of constraints perceived by the sheep farmers due to endoparasitic infection. The study's findings revealed that the foremost constraint perceived by the sheep farmers due to endoparasitic infection was unawareness of targeted selective treatment (score - 419), followed by lack of knowledge on anthelmintic resistance (score - 399) and unawareness of rotational anthelmintics (score -389). The results of the study on the factors influencing the intensity of constraints revealed that among eleven variables included in the analysis, six variables, viz., education, experience, flock size, annual income, occupation and proportion of income from sheep farming, were found to be statistically significant (P< 0.01) predictors associated with the intensity of constraints perceived by the sheep farmers. Raising awareness among livestock farmers and organizing regular deworming camps can help eliminate parasitic infestations.