Livelihood of Tribals through Animal Husbandry in Tripura, India

India has over 698 tribal communities, comprising 104 million people (8.20% of the population), mostly living in isolated and undeveloped regions. Tribal livelihoods are diverse, community-oriented, and not defined by modern concepts of jobs or cash income. A study in Tripura assessed the livelihood status of tribal households engaged in animal husbandry, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of improved practices. Four tribal-dominated blocks-Ganganagar, Chowmanu, Nalchar, and Charilam-were selected, and data were collected from 120 randomly chosen respondents using a pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed through SPSS 25.0. The findings revealed that mass media exposure, extension participation, positive attitudes toward dairy farming, and adoption of improved practices significantly enhanced livelihood security. Tribal respondents showed strong interest in dairy farming due to its income and health benefits. The study highlights the need to address constraints such as high input costs and lack of expert guidance, urging policymakers and extension agencies to strengthen support systems for sustainable tribal livelihood development in Tripura.