The present study was conducted in Western agro – climatic zone of Tamil Nadu with an objective to study the role of Kangayam cattle towards the livelihood of the farmers. Snowball sampling technique was pursued to select 200 Kangayam cattle farmers as respondents for the study. The contribution of Kangayam cattle towards the livelihood of the farmers were ascertained using semi – structured interview schedule supported with informal discussion and non –participant observations and the data thus collected was analyzed by using appropriate statistical methods. Results revealed that majority of the respondents (69.00 per cent) earn income through sale of milk produced by their Kangayam cow, one - third of the respondents (33.00 per cent) did not utilize their Kangayam cattle for work purpose and all the respondents (100.00 per cent) earned income through sale of farm bred Kangayam cattle. Nearly one - half of the respondents (47.50 per cent) had an annual income between Rs.58, 001 to Rs.83, 000 from their Kangayam cattle and fell in medium category and one - half of the respondents’ family (44.50 per cent) had consumed medium quantity (1000 ml –1750 ml) of Kangayam cow milk thereby consuming medium quantity of milk protein (32.80 g – 57.40 g), milk fat (41.00 g – 71.75 g) and milk calcium (1200 mg – 2100 mg). With respect to quantity of farm yard manure obtained from the Kangayam cattle, more than one-half (50.50 per cent) of the respondents was found to be in low category with nutrient contribution of Kangayam cattle to the farm land (1.82 tons to 5.77 tons per year), quantity of Nitrogen (14.56 kg to 46.16 kg per year), quantity of Phosphorus (7.28 kg to 23.08 kg per year) and quantity of Potassium (29.12 kg to 92.32 kg per year. On an average 235.425 employment days were generated through rearing Kangayam cattle in a respondent’s family per annum. The Kangayam cattle played an important role in the livelihood of most of the respondents (81.50 per cent) as a means of security during the economic crisis conditions like crop failure, hospital expenditures, educational need, marriage, repayment of loans etc., either through draught power or sale of milk or through sale of cattle mainly male calves, bullocks / bulls in the local markets to generate income. Since, Kangayam cattle play an important role in the livelihood of farmers and substantially contributing to the household income, nutritional status, fertilising their agricultural field, satisfying their prestige and status and acts as a security measure during uncertainties. Hence, promoting Kangayam cattle farming as a viable economic enterprise not only improves the economic and social status but also improves the soil fertility and agricultural productivity.