Extension and health management practices of local cattle in bastar plateau of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to estimate the existing extension services and health management practices adopted by the local cattle of the Baster plateau zone of Chhattisgarh. A total of 104 farmers from Bastar, Narayanpur, and Dantewada districts were chosen and information was gathered through interviews. The findings indicated that 57% of the farmers vaccinated their cattleMost of the farmers (87%) had little knowledge about common animal diseases. Deworming was not performed regularly by many farmers and only 10% follow a proper schedule. Natural breeding was used by 68% of farmers, while 32% used Artificial Insemination. Not a single goat farmer maintains breeding record. Extension services were weak, as none of the farmers had taken loans, joined training programs, or used government livestock schemes. The investigation suggests that there is a need for better extension services, improved facilities, and stronger institutional support for the sustainable growth of dairy farming in Bastar.