Analysis of production parameters of cows in comparison with socio-economic profile of dairy farmers

Abstract

The present study was undertaken during the year 2019-20 at six contact villages in Ambajogai tehsil by DRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambajogai, District Beed (Maharashtra). From each village ten dairy farmers who possess more than four milch animals were selected randomly. The data regarding production and reproduction status of dairy animals and socio-economic profile of dairy farmers were collected from total 60 farmers by conducting their personal interview. The collected data analyzed through various appropriate statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and data were interpreted to get logical results and fruitful conclusion of the study. The majority of dairy farmers (56.66%) were belonged from general category followed by OBC (28.33), SC (11.66%) and ST (3.33%) category. Educational status showed that 48.33% dairy farmers were having primary education followed by illiterate (16.66%), higher secondary (11.00%) and graduate and above graduate (10%). More than half of dairy farmers (53.33%) were with medium level of experience followed by 28.33 and 18.33 per cent with low and high level of experience, respectively in dairy farming occupation. Majority of the farmers belonged to medium income group (58.33%) followed by low (31.66%) and high (10.00%). Buffalo contributed about 47.54% in total livestock population and followed by crossbred cow (32.46%) and indigenous cow (20%). The 73.33% dairy farmers followed vaccination practice in their livestock. The 8.33% dairy farmers followed de-worming practice in livestock for control of internal parasites. Only 5% dairy farmers were feeding mineral mixture regularly to dairy animals. Average per day milk production (kg) of crossbred cow, buffalo and indigenous cow were recorded 8.65, 6.87 and 3.51, respectively. The average age of first calving was recorded 47, 31 and 36 month indigenous cow, crossbred cow and buffalo, respectively. The average numbers of services required for last pregnancy were noted 1.66, 1.51 and 1.64 in indigenous cow, crossbred cow and buffalo, respectively. It is concluded that knowledge level and awareness level regarding health care management of the dairy farmers of the region was low. Hence, it is recommended to provide more extension services such as training camps, awareness camp and clinical camps by government and NGOs to dairy farmers of the Ambajogai tehsil.