Evaluating dairy farmers perception pertaining to meteorological disaster management in Indian Sundarbans

Abstract

Perception is influenced by factors such as knowledge, cultural practices, and access to information, and analyzing it helps understand human behavior and decision-making in disaster situations. In dairy farming, the perceptual level of farmers plays a crucial role in determining management strategies to minimize the impact of meteorological disasters on livestock. This study assessed the perception of 180 dairy farmers from the Kakdwip, Namkhana, and Sagar blocks of the Sundarbans region, an area highly prone to extreme weather events. The findings revealed that a majority (70%) of respondents believed that indigenous breeds are more resilient than crossbred animals during disasters, with 30% strongly agreeing and 40% agreeing. Conversely, nearly one-third (30%) of the farmers disagreed that inaccurate feeding management increases the risk of death due to starvation, indicating some gaps in knowledge. Overall, the analysis showed that most farmers possessed medium to high perceptual levels regarding meteorological disaster management, highlighting the need for targeted awareness programs and extension interventions to strengthen disaster preparedness and livestock resilience in the region.