CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED DAIRY FARMING PRACTICES IN HARYANA, INDIA

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1 Asian J. Dairy & Food Res.., 33 (2) : , 2014 doi: / AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED DAIRY FARMING PRACTICES IN HARYANA, INDIA Nirmal Kumar, Pankaj Bishnoi, Dalip K. Bishnoi and Jatender Kumar Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Extension, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, , India. Received: Accepted: ABSTRACT and districts of the Haryana form important tract for cattle and Murrah buffaloes. The multistage stratified random sampling technique was used for selection of three categories of the respondents on number of milch animals reared by them by adopting the cumulative total method. Thus, in all 200 farmers (82 small farmers, 86 medium and 32 large farmers) were selected. The data were collected for a period of one year (March, 2007 to Feb. 2008). Institutional constraints were regarded as least serious by the farmers of district, while the farmers of district rated breeding constraints at least serious. Lack of AI facilities on holidays, repeat breeding, poor conception rate, high charges for AI and lack of exotic breeding bulls were perceived as most serious by the farmers of both the districts. Farmers of perceived feeding constraints as most serious whereas the farmers of considered health care constraints as most serious indicating significant differences perhaps owing to agro-climatic variations. High cost of treatment irrespective of farmers categories were serious constraints. Key words: Adoption, Constraints, Dairy, Farming, Practices. INTRODUCTION The government of India is laying emphasis on improving the socio-economic status of resource poor farmers through increasing food production, rural employment, and equitable distribution of income and implementation of various dairy development programmes. The state government has been launching various dai ry development programmes from time to time such as Self Employment Programme through Dairying. The beneficiaries selected under the programme were given one month s training on improved dairy farming practices at various training centers of the state. Thereafter, they were linked with financial institutions to set up dairy units of 5 to 50 milch animals. Presumably, the small scale dairy farmers are less likely to drive profit without the adoption of improved dairy farming practices. There is a need to study the impact of Self Employment Programme through Dairying on adoption of improved dairy farming practices among the beneficiaries (Mavi et. al., 2006). The livestock products have relatively higher income elasticity of demand. By assuri ng remunerative prices for milk and milk products, expansion of dairy industry has a good future in the state. Increasing the income and employment of marginal and small farmers and landless agricultural labour house-holds through dairying is in conformity with the national objectives. The present study was taken up to analyze the various constraints inhibiting the development of cattle and buffalo husbandry in and districts. MATERIALS AND METHODS and districts were selected purposively. The multistage stratified random sampling technique was used for selection of the respondents. The selection of tehsils, cluster villages and dairy farmers formed the first, second and third stages of sampling, respectively. From amongst tehsils tehsil from district and tehsil from district were selected. All the villages of these respective tehsils were enumerated and two cluster villages (each cluster with 2 village hamlets) were selected from these two tehsils. All the dairy farmers were classified into three categories based on number of milch animals reared by them, viz. small (1 to 2 milch animals), medium (3 to 5 milch

2 animals) and large (more than 5 milch animals) by adopting the cumulative total method. Thus, in all 200 farmers (82 small farmers, 86 medium and 32 large farmers) were selected. The data were collected during March, 2007 to Feb A list of all the important constraints affecting the adoption of various scientific cattle and buffalo husbandry practices and response (various constraints as perceived by the farmers in adoption of breeding, feeding, management and health care) were recorded on three point continuum i.e. very serious, serious and some what serious and subsequently assigned a weight-age of 3, 2 and 1, respectively. The constraints score of each respondent as well as of all the respondents were worked out. The mean score and rank order were also computed. Following formula was employed to calculate Mean Percent Score: Mean Percent Score = Mean of item (constraint) for all responses Maximum score of the item (constraint) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The overall constraint perception of the farmers in all the six identified areas were assessed (Table 1). Farmers of perceived feeding constraints as most serious whereas the farmers of district considered healthcare as most serious. Further, institutional constraints were regarded as least serious by the farmers of district. Contrary to it, farmers of district rated breeding constraints as least serious. Vol. 33, No. 2, Adoption of scientific breeding practices: The results obtained in the study are presented in the Table 2. The constraints perception of farmers varied amongst the different categories. In general, farmers perceived lack of AI (artificial insemination) facilities on holidays (46.67%), repeat breeding (44.00%) and poor conception rate (43.00%) as most serious in district. On the other hand, lack of AI facilities on holidays (55.00%), high charges for AI (54.33%) and lack of exotic breeding bulls (44.00%) were perceived as most serious by the farmers of district. One probable reason might be that the farmers of are largely rearing buffaloes whereas the farmers of prefer cows. The different success rate of AI in cattle and buffalo may have contributed to the differing perception. There is a need to review the AI services in buffaloes. Another noteworthy observation is that reach of AI facilities has extended, by and large, to the satisfaction of farmers. Singh and Chauhan (2006) reported poor conception rate, repeat breeding and ineffective treatment of repeater and anoestrous animals followed by inadequate knowledge of AI, lack of pedigree bull for natural service and AI centre. Bardhan et al. (2005) had reported that distant location of AI was responsible for reproductive failures. Scientific feeding practices: Fifteen constraints were identified in the area of feeding practices. (Table 3) Farmers of both the districts ranked high cost of concentrate (50.00% and 56.67% ) as serious. Inadequate/ no area for fodder TABLE 1: Constraints of cattle and buffalo owners of and districts Items/Aspects Small Medium Large Overall Breeding VI III IV IV Feed ing II I I I Management III IV II III Health care I II III II Institutional V V VI VI Marketing IV VI V V Breeding VI VI VI VI Feed ing III I III II Management II IV II II Health care I II I I Institutional IV III IV IV Marketing V V V V Where MS = Mean score; MPS = Mean per cent core; RO = Rank order

3 138 ASIAN JOURNAL OF DAIRY & FOOD RESEARCH cultivation due to small size of operational holding was found to be second most serious constraint (48.67%) for district farmers and non availability of pasture (53.00%) by the farmers of district. Wi th the i ncreasing human population and agricultural intensification there has been a progressive decline in the availability of common pasture land. However, high cost of cakes/ concentrate inhibiting the optimum production of dairy animal is worrisome. The prices of cereals and other concentrates shot up making it difficult to manage the concentrate requirements of dairy animals. It is suggested here that there is a need to subsidize the cattle feed (with quality assurance) if any increase in production is to be brought about in the near future. Surprisingly, non availability of branded compounded feed (28.33%-) and lack of clean drinking water for milch animals (18.33%- ) was perceived to be less serious. High cost of feed and fodder and poor resources for raising fodder crops, high cost of mineral mixture, etc. have earlier been reported by Singh and Chauhan (2006). TABLE 2: Constraints perceived by cattle and buffalo owners about scientific breeding practices Non availability/inadequate artificial insemination (A.I.) facilities XIV XV A.I. centers distantly located XI IX Poor quality semen VI XI Poor conception rate through A.I III VIII Problems of repeat breeding II IV Lack of A.I. facility on holidays I I Use of non descriptive bulls by the farmers V V Exorbitant charges for exotic bull IX XII High charges for A.I facility IV II Delayed response of reproductive disorders to V.S VIII VII Inadequate knowledge to detect heat signs in bovines VII XIII Difficulty in taking bovines to A.I. centre/hospital XIII VI Abortion problems XV X Untrained and inexperienced staff at A.I. centre/hospital XVI XVI Lack of exotic breeding bulls XII III Lack of knowledge regarding silent heat X XIV TABLE 3: Constraints perceived by cattle and buffalo owners about scientific feeding practices Non availability/ inadequate availability of green fodder XIV XIV High cost of dry fodder VI II Non availability of pasture III II High cost of cakes / concentrates I I Lack of knowledge about scientific feeding practices X VIII Constrained feeding of milch animals due to paucity of funds IX VII Non availability of HYV fodder seeds VIII XIII Non availability of supplement feeds / mineral mixture XI XII Existence of adulterated feed/ concentrates in the market XII X High cost of supplement feed/mineral mixture IV VI Non availability of branded compounded feed XV XI Lack of clean drinking water for milch animals XIII XV Lack of subsidy for compound feed and/ or mineral mixture VII V Lack of credit facility for the purchase of feed and fodder IV IV Inadequate/ no area for fodder cultivation due to small size of operational holding II IX

4 Vol. 33, No. 2, Scientific management practices: High cost of raw materials for construction of cattle shed (50.67%- and 57.67%-) was perceived most serious by farmers of both the districts (Table 4). This calls for alternative low cost housing technology generation. On the other side, reluctance of family members for animal management (20.67% each for and ) was perceived to be least serious by and districts farmers. Lack of training facilities about scientific management was also perceived less serious. This perhaps is an indicator of higher degree of satisfaction with present state of affairs. Any future extension programme must, therefore, include the creation of dissonance with the present as an important aspect. Healthcare practices: High cost of treatment (48.67%-H i sar and %-Kar nal) was perceived as most serious constraints (Table 5). Inadequate/unti mely supply of vacci nes (22.33%-H i sar and %-Kar nal) was considered less serious by farmers. This is an indicator of improved healthcare delivery system. Nevertheless, i t is suggested that low cost alt ernati ve tr eatment regi mens should be developed to expedite the spread of appropriate healthcare practi ces. L ack of faci li ti es for treatment, vaccines and medicines, high cost of treatment, lack of veterinary dispensaries and poor kno wledge have earli er been reported as constraints (Singh and Chauhan, 2006). Institutional constraints: Lack of milk cooperative society (47.33%) was ranked as one of the most serious constraint by the farmers of and non availability of quality breeding bulls through village panchayat (47.33%) in district (Table 6). Farmers prefer cooperative societies over other traditional marketing channels. However, the cooperative societies follow business criteria for setting up their collection units in different villages. It is, therefore, difficult to find a soluti on. Theoretically, collective action on part of villagers can be helpful. Lack of farmers voluntary organization to manufacture cattle feed (14% and 26%-) was found to be low constraint amongst all constraints. Villagers can form their own small groups and pool milk which can be transported to nearest milk collection centre. As natural mating is highlighted by the observation that the majority of farmers considered nonavailability of quality breeding bulls through village Panchayats the most serious constraint. Yadav et al. (2007) had earlier reported inadequate credit availability, high interest rate, bank loan problems, unawareness regarding loans, commission to middlemen and agents as constraints affecting adoption of dairy technologies. Constraints of marketing: Improper monitoring of milk producers cooperative society (58.33%- and 63.00%-) was considered as most serious (Table 7) Inadequate market intelligence for marketing of bovines (14.33%) was considered less serious by farmers of district, while farmers of district perceived lack of refrigeration facilities at cooperative societies (26.67%) as the least serious constraint. It is, therefore, suggested here that adequate infrastructural investment to create milk transportation system should be made to facilitate marketing with the increasing demand of milk in the past few years, the need for TABLE 4: Constraints of cattle and buffalo owners about scientific management practices Inadequate / unscientific housing system III IV High cost of raw materials for construction of cattle shed I I Lack of knowledge about modest scientific housing IV III Lack of subsidy for construction of scientific housing II II Inadequate time devotion for animal management VI VIII Improper sanitation and hygiene in the cattle shed V V Absence of keeping milk production and other dairy records VIII VI Lack of training facilities about scientific bovines management at the farmers door step VII VII Dependence on permanent labour/ casual labour for milch bovines management IX IX Reluctance of family members for animal management X X

5 140 ASIAN JOURNAL OF DAIRY & FOOD RESEARCH TABLE 5: Constraints of cattle and buffalo owners about scientific health practices Non availability of veterinary hospital at farmers door step IV IV High cost of treatment I I Lack of awareness about the Govt. services and facilities for health care V VI Inadequate / untimely supply of vaccines VIII VIII Untimely adoption of Vaccination facilities VII VII Non availability of Veterinary doctors in odd hours/ holidays VI III Lack of veterinary medical store II V Inadequate/ lack of funds for treatment of animals III II Table 6: Constraints of cattle and buffalo owners about institutional arrangements Non availability of cooperative feed manufacturing unit V IV Lack of farmers voluntary organization to manufacture cattle feed VI VI Defunct milk procurement cooperative society III V Lack of milk procurement cooperative society I II Non availability of quality breeding bulls through village panchayat II I Lack of voluntary organization for milch animals trading IV III TABLE 7: Constraints of cattle and buffalo owners of district about marketing MS MPS RO RO MS MPS Lack of organized/ regulated markets for quality breed V II Inadequate market intelligence for marketing of bovines VIII V Defunct milk producers cooperative society for milk procurement VII VIII Improper monitoring of milk producers cooperative society I I Lack of minimum support price for milk II V Problem of milk transportation to the market III II Lack of refrigeration facilities at cooperative societies VI V Inadequate/ lack of cooperative milk procurement booth in the village IV IV minimum support price is automatically done away with. Such increases in demand are already fuelli ng the prices of mi lk. The Marketi ng infrastructure in terms of modern supply chain be significantly expanded to meet consumer needs and provide adequate incentive to the rural milk producers. Lower price of milk and high cost of production has earlier been reported as major constraints (Bardhan et. al., 2005; Singh and Chauhan, 2006; and Kumar et. al., 2006). REFERENCES Bardhan Dwaipayan, Srivastava, R.S.L., and Dabas, Y.P.S. (2005). A study of constraints perceived by farmers in rearing dairy animals. Indian J. of Dairy Scie. 58: Kumar, S.R, Jagadeeswary, V. and Sasidhar, P.V.K. (2006). Constraints in adoption of dairy production technologies. Indian Vet. J. 83: Mavi, K.S. Chauhan, J.P.S. and Das, B.C. (2006). Role of self employment programme on dairying in adoption of improved dairy farming practices. Indian J. Dairy Scie. 59: Sah Uma, Fulzele, R.M. and Kumar Shantanu. (2003). Constraints in adoption of improved dairy farming practices in Uttaranchal hills. Indian J. Dairy and Bioscie. 14(1): Singh Mahender and Chauhan Anil. (2006). Constraints faced by dairy owners in adoption of scientific dairy practices. Indian J. Dairy Scie. 59: Yadav, S.P., Yadav, M.P.S., Singh Omkar and Yadav, R.N. (2007). Constraints analysis in adoption of dairy technology. Progressive Res. 2: 167.