~ 256 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2020; SP-9(7): 256-257 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 TPI 2020; SP-9(7): 256-257 © 2020 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 20-05-2020 Accepted: 22-06-2020 Showkat Ahmad Ahanger District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Bandipora, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Sofi Abid Hussain Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Bandipora, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Muneer Ahmad Dar Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Bandipora, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Mohammad Maroof Shah Deputy Director Research, Nowshera, Srinagar, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Mubashir Ali Rather Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Waterhail, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Imran Bashir Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Sheep Breeding Farm, Kralpathri, Budgam, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Athar Ashraf Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Sheep Breeding Farm, Hardshiva, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Corresponding Author: Sofi Abid Hussain Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Bandipora, Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India Impact of prophylactic vaccination on the profitability of the sheep farming Showkat Ahmad Ahanger, Sofi Abid Hussain, Muneer Ahmad Dar, Mohammad Maroof Shah, Mubashir Ali Rather, Imran Bashir and Athar Ashraf Abstract The present study was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the impact of prophylactic vaccination on profitability of sheep farming in District Bandipora. Accordingly, a questionnaire based survey was conducted in Bandipora district of Kashmir Valley. Overall 60 farmers with overall sheep heads and average flock size of 2805 and 46.97±2.43, respectively were interviewed by face to face contact method. The data were classified into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups for statistical analysis. The statistical analysis was carried by SPSS statistical package using unpaired t-test to compare means. The mortality, morbidity and medicinal costs invested for treatment of sheep were significantly (P<0.01) higher in unvaccinated group than vaccinated group. The mortality, morbidity and medicinal costs invested for treatment of sheep in unvaccinated group were 12.25±1.32%, 26.43±2.66% and 35.61±3.16 Rupees, respectively. Similarly, the values observed in vaccinated group were 2.1±1.23%, 4.49±2.49%, 9.00±2.96 Rupees, respectively for mortality, morbidity and medicinal costs invested for treatment of sheep. The present study revealed that prophylactic vaccination has significant effect on overall profitability of the sheep farming. Keywords: Vaccination, Sheep, Kashmir, Mortality and Morbidity Introduction Sheep farming signifies an important component of rural economy particularly in the arid, semi arid and mountainous areas of the country. Sheep with its multi-facet utility for wool, milk, skins and manure play an important role in the livelihood of a large percentage of small/marginal farmers and landless labourers engaged in sheep rearing [1] . Morbidity and mortality are two important factors resulting in heavy losses in sheep production and improvement programmes. An effective and efficient disease prevention and control strategy is of paramount importance to improve the quality and quantity of livestock production in the Indian context [2] . Random vaccination programmes in this regard are a tool forward to ponder upon. Vaccinations can reduce the prevalence or severity of infectious diseases and are an integral part of any flock management programme [3] . Vaccination always has had a profound effect on the profitability with the only impediment being its holistic use. Compared to the subsidized costs of vaccine the cost incurred on mortality and morbidity is always huge. Vaccination protocols vary widely by production type, region, producer preference, diseases exposure, previous diseases problems and other flock specific aspects. With the introduction of the exotic blood in the flocks of Jammu and Kashmir, the spread of sheep pox had been drastic. Fortunately, the swift introduction of killed sheep pox vaccine by the Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir the disease is now under control to a large extent. The other major epidemics faced by farmers in the Kashmir region are that of enterotoxaemia and PPR against which the department runs routine vaccination (Table 1). Recurring out breaks of various diseases in domestic sheep of Kashmir have prompted questions about the economic benefits and costs of vaccinating individual flocks against these diseases. In this regard a survey was conducted to assess the impact of prophylactic vaccination on net profitability of sheep rearing ventures in the district Bandipora (J&K). Methodology A questionnaire based survey was purposively undertaken in Aloosa area of Bandipora district of Kashmir Valley, owing to higher concentration of sheep, with an aim to evaluate the impact of prophylactic vaccination on net profitability of sheep farming.