Housing management practices prevailed among livestock owners in Firozabad district of western UP

Abstract

Livestock is one of the most important activities among the rural farmers. It provides sustainable income and reduces unemployment to a large number of the rural poor. The study on housing management practices of buffaloes was purposively conducted in Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh since it has got predominant buffalo based dairy production system. Out of four two Tehsil viz., Jasarana and Shikohabad of the district were randomly selected for the study. A total of 120 buffalo farmers were selected for the study. An exploratory research design and multistage random sampling technique was applied for the study and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The study revealed that majority of the farmers the farmers were further categorized into three groups viz., small ( 2 and 5 adult buffaloes) householders. The results indicate that only 60% of buffalo owners provide proper housing shelter to their buffaloes. 68.33% respondents possessed animal house with Kachcha floor with very poor ventilation facilities. Only 54.17% houses have slope for proper drainage of urine and faeces. 64.17 percent respondents made additional arrangement to protect buffaloes against extreme weather. In general results suggest that housing practices in the study area were not satisfactory and need to be corrected through motivation and providing extension services among the farmers. There was a considerable gap existing between recommended scientific management practices and the existing management practices. Younger generation farmers have to take interest in dairy activity, for which suitable extension strategies should be developed. Adoption of suitable and scientific housing strategies in buffalo farming will substantially help in increase of production as well as income generation.