Farmers’ profile characteristics and knowledge of dairy farmers regarding feeding management practices in Akola district of Maharashtra state
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the profile characteristics and knowledge of dairy farmers regarding feeding management practices in Akola district of Maharashtra. An exploratory research design was adopted for the study. Balapur and Barshitakli tehsils were purposively selected, from which eight villages were selected and 120 dairy farmers possessing milch animals were randomly selected. Data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that majority of the dairy farmers were middle-aged (50.00%), had higher secondary education (29.16%), semi-medium land holdings (43.34%), medium herd size (50.00%) and medium family size (60.00%). A majority of the respondents had annual income of Rs. 5–9 lakh (52.50%) and 10–20 years of experience in dairy farming (70.00%). Wells were the major source of irrigation (50.00%), while (73.33%) followed a Kharif + Rabi cropping pattern. About 52.50 per cent had received training and (89.16%)had fodder storage facilities, whereas (56.67%) had not availed animal insurance. Regarding knowledge of feeding management practices, all respondents (100.00%) were aware of the system of cattle feeding, while (87.50%) knew methods of roughage processing and (81.66%)were aware of the importance of concentrate feed for high milk-producing animals. However, knowledge was comparatively low regarding silage (35.83%) and additional concentrate feeding during advanced pregnancy (20.83%). The study concluded that although dairy farmers possessed adequate knowledge of basic feeding practices, considerable gaps existed in specialized and stage-specific feeding practices. Therefore, focused training, demonstrations and extension guidance are needed to improve scientific feeding knowledge and enhance dairy animal productivity.
Full Text
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Introduction
Dairy farming is an important component of the rural economy and provides a regular source of income and livelihood to farm households. The productivity and profitability of dairy animals are influenced by several management factors, among which feeding occupies a particularly important position. Adequate and balanced feeding is essential for maintaining animal health, improving milk production and enabling dairy animals to express their productive potential. Feeding management includes appropriate utilization of green fodder, dry fodder and concentrate feed, along with mineral supplementation, adequate watering, fodder processing and conservation. In many farming situations, dairy animals are still fed using traditional knowledge and locally available feed resources. Inadequate awareness regarding the quantity and quality of feed, mineral supplementation, silage preparation and stagespecific feeding may result in an imbalanced ration and consequently affect animal productivity. The literature reviewed in the study also indicates considerable variation in farmers' knowledge of scientific feeding practices. The socio-economic and personal characteristics of dairy farmers are important for understanding the existing status of dairy farming. Characteristics such as age, education, land holding, herd size, family size, annual income and experience in dairy farming provide an understanding of the background in which feeding decisions are made. The present study therefore focused on profiling dairy farmers and assessing their knowledge regarding scientific feeding management practices. Knowledge is an important prerequisite for the effective adoption of improved dairy technologies. Farmers having adequate knowledge about feeding systems, fodder processing, concentrate feeding and mineral supplementation are better positioned to make appropriate feeding decisions. Hence, assessment of farmers' knowledge can help identify specific areas requiring extension education, training and practical demonstrations.
In this context, the present study was undertaken in selected areas of Akola district of Maharashtra with the specific purpose of understanding the profile of dairy farmers and their knowledge regarding feeding management practices.
Objectives of the study
1. To study the profile of dairy farmers. 2. To assess the knowledge of dairy farmers regarding feeding management practices.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted in Akola district of Maharashtra. Among the seven tehsils of Akola district, Balapur and Barshitakli tehsils were purposively selected because of their relatively higher population of milch animals. Four villages from each selected tehsil were purposively selected, resulting in a total of eight villages. An exploratory research design was adopted for the present investigation. The design was considered appropriate for studying the profile of dairy farmers and their knowledge regarding feeding management practices under field conditions. From each selected village, 15 dairy farmers possessing milch animals were selected randomly. Thus, a total sample of 120 dairy farmers was selected for the study. Primary data were collected through personal face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured interview schedule.
The schedule included information on personal and socioeconomic characteristics of dairy farmers as well as their knowledge regarding feeding management practices. The interview schedule was developed after consultation with experts and review of relevant literature.
Results and Discussion
Profile Characteristics of the Respondents
The profile characteristics of the respondents were studied using selected characteristics and are presented in Table 1. The findings revealed that the majority of dairy farmers were middle-aged (50.00%), had higher secondary education (29.16%), and possessed semi-medium land holdings (43.34%). Half of the respondents (50.00%) maintained a medium herd size, while (60.00%) had medium family size.
A majority (52.50%) had annual income of Rs. 5-9 lakh and (70.00%) had 10-20 years of dairy farming experience. Wells were the major source of irrigation (50.00%). Most of respondents (73.33%) followed Kharif + Rabi cropping pattern About (52.50%) had received training, while (89.16%) had fodder storage facilities. However, (56.67%) had not availed animal insurance.
The table 2. indicates that family members actively participated in various dairy farming activities. In feeding, the majority (55.00%) involved 2 to 3 members. For housing, (48.33%) reported involvement of 3 to 4 members, while in calving, (61.66%) involved 2 to 4 members. In health care, 50.83% reported involvement of more than three members, whereas 75.00% involved 2 to 3 members in milk and hygiene activities. Overall, 2 to 3 family members were predominantly involved in major dairy farming activities, indicating the importance of family labour in dairy farm management. The table 3. indicates that the majority of dairy farmers did not possess machinery for fodder cutting. Only (14.17%) of respondents possessed a hand-operated chaff cutter, whereas (85.83%) did not. Similarly, (25.00%) possessed an electric/power-operated chaff cutter, while (75.00%) had no such facility. Further, only (10.83%) possessed a reaper for fodder cutting, compared with (89.17%) who did not possess. Overall, the findings revealed limited ownership of foddercutting machinery, which may indicate inadequate mechanization and greater dependence on manual methods for fodder preparation.
Knowledge about feeding management practices
The findings in table 2 indicates that the dairy farmers possessed a varying level of knowledge regarding different feeding management practices. All the respondents (100.00%) were aware of the basic system of cattle feeding, indicating universal awareness of grazing, stall feeding and their combinations. A considerable majority (76.67%) were aware of the feeding pattern followed under intensive systems, including green fodder, dry fodder, concentrate, mineral mixture, vitamin A and salt.
Regarding roughage management, (87.50%) of respondents knew the methods of processing roughages, while (68.33%) were aware of the benefits of processing roughages before feeding, such as improving digestibility, palatability and nutrient availability. Similarly, (75.00%) of farmers had knowledge about the use of mineral mixtures in cattle feeding. A high proportion (81.66%) also knew that concentrate feed is necessary for high milk-producing animals. However, comparatively lower knowledge was observed regarding certain scientific and specialized feeding practices.
Conclusion
The study revealed that dairy farmers were predominantly middle-aged, moderately educated, and had medium herd and family sizes with considerable dairy farming experience. Family labour played an important role in dairy activities, particularly feeding, calving, and milk hygiene. However, possession of fodder-cutting machinery was low, indicating limited mechanization. Farmers had good knowledge of basic feeding practices, especially cattle feeding systems (100.00%), roughage processing (87.50%), and concentrate feeding for high milk-producing animals (81.66%). However, knowledge was comparatively low regarding silage (35.83%) and additional concentrate feeding during advanced pregnancy (20.83%). Hence, focused training, demonstrations, and extension guidance are needed to improve scientific feeding practices and dairy animal productivity.
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