ETHNOVETERINARY PRACTICES AMONG SMALL RUMINANT FARMERS IN
SOUTHERN LOWLANDS OF GANDAKI PROVINCE, NEPAL
Author:
Sachin Regmi
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
This field-based survey intended to document different ethnoveterinary practices commonly used by small ruminant farmers of Southern lowlands of Gandaki province. Altogether 231 small ruminant farmers keeping sheep and goats, 79.2% (183 of 231) females and 20.8% (48 of 231) males, were enrolled in this study. Information about use of ethnoveterinary practices was gathered through in-person interviews using pre- structured questionnaire on participatory basis of farmers. Informant Consensus Factor (Fic) was used as the statistical tool for the study. Altogether 32 botanicals from 22 different families and 10 chemical products used are documented to be used for ethnoveterinary practices in small ruminants. Among these botanicals,10 are herbs, 8 shrubs and 14 trees and 22 dichotomous and 10 were monochotomous plants. 57 ethnoveterinary practices recorded in the study. They were mostly used for digestive system disorder 35.1%(20 of 57) such as diarrhea 25.0%(5 of 20) and bloat 20.0%(4 of 20), skin pathologies 14.0%(8 of 57)
such as burn 37.5% (3 of 8), and myiasis 25.0% (2 of 8), respiratory system disorder 14.0% (8 of 57), cuts
and wounds 10.5% (6 of 57) , reproductive system disorder 8.8% (5 of 57), and bones fractures 5.3% (3 of 57). The category that had the highest informant consensus factor (Fic) value was whole plant of Cannabis sativa for respiratory problems (Fic= 0.91). Out of 46 ethno botanical treatment practices ,36 was shoot parts mainly leaves, bark, flower and stem, 7 were root parts and 3 whole plant. This study shows that ethnoveterinary practice is common among small ruminant farmers of Southern lowlands of Gandaki province, Nepal. Considering the historical use of such practices in other parts of the country as well, exploring pros and cons of ethnoveterinary medicine would benefit in their rational uses.
1. INTRODUCTION
Small ruminants are integral socio-economic components of rural society in Nepal. Their contribution to overall agriculture value and rural economy is significant. Therefore, the health and productivity of these animals have considerable impact on overall national economy (Panthi et al., 2016). These small scaled livestock farmers in rural area have been using sustainable indigenous knowledge, skill and practices on treatment and prevention of animal diseases since time immoral. The information flows predecessor’s generation to generation in the form of inherited culture. Ethnoveterinary practices is one of the major ancient healing systems for animals in those area (Confessor et al., 2009). It is considered as viable alternative to conventional allopathic veterinary medicines which cannot fully address those local pathologies. Scarcity of modern allopathic medicines, their erratic supply and unavailability of veterinary services also promote intensive use of ethnoveterinary practices (Marandure, 2016). Although the method cannot fully treat acute infectious disease its efficacy against minor diseases and chronic problems is satisfactory. A number of plant species, chemicals have been identified for treating wide range of pathology in those animals. Locally available products are major components of ethnoveterinary practices and the nature, frequency and method of administration can change in relation to geography, time and knowledge. It is freely available and easy to prepare with low technical sophistication (Khan et al., 2019).
Very limited attempts have been made for recording these practices. It is crucial to learn, evaluate and promote these practices. In absence of proper documentation, scientific validation, rapidly changing social dynamics and environmental condition have caused this information to progressively vanish from the culture. Therefore, it is critically urgent to scientifically collect and organize the data relating for maintenance of ethnoveterinary practices. The present study was designed to compile and document different ethnoveterinary practices used by small scaled farmers primarily raising sheep and goats in southern lowlands of Gandaki Province Nepal. This is an attempt to promote and develop the conservation of ethnoveterinary medicine to save it from extinction. The study also focuses on classifying effective cures from placebo and providing baseline information as well. Proper knowledge on the matter not only deepens our understanding on the matter but also explores and gives a suitable alternative to existing problems.
The study area is important habitat for diversity of flora and fauna many of which are used for medicinal purpose. Animal husbandry particularly small ruminants is main occupation in the study area due to adequate fodder availability and agricultural land. Survival based farming with multiple species integration aided by cut and carry of fodder is characteristic to farming in the area. The marginal communities have domesticated some medicinal botanicals nearby so that they are available when required.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A detailed study list of both botanicals and chemicals used in ethnoveterinary practices along with their local name, scientific name, family part used and action for different pathologies are presented below.





Pages | 36-39 |
Year | 2025 |
Issue | 1 |
Volume | 5 |