Perceived Training Needs of Buffalo Dairy Farmers Regarding Scientific Animal Husbandry Practices in Haryana

The study was carried out to identify the perceived training needs of dairy farmers regarding scientific buffalo husbandry practices and its relation with their socio-economic traits in five districts of Haryana state. A sample size of 250 dairy farmers was randomly selected for the study and data were collected through personal interview method during 2015-16. The extent of training need revealed that majority of buffalo owners (75.2%) desired for medium level of training in all the scientific animal husbandry practices followed by high (15.6%) and low (9.2%) level training needs, respectively. The study revealed that in the area of breeding practices right time of insemination was perceived to be the most needed training need followed by precautions after insemination. With respect to feeding practices maximum training need was expressed about preparation of low cost concentrate mixture followed by knowledge about feeding of animal in different stages. Marketing and insurance followed by training about mastitis control measures were the most needed training sub areas in the area of management practices. Most needed training sub areas as reported by dairy farmers were deworming and vaccination of animals and knowledge about common diseases and their prevention in health care sub area. Variables namely educational qualification, annual income, family size training on dairy farming, economic motivation, attitude towards rearing Murrah buffalo and knowledge of scientific practices were positively and significantly correlated while age was negatively and significantly correlated with training needs regarding scientific animal husbandry practices. The results of the study will help the extension agencies to develop suitable training modules for the dairy farmers in scientific animal husbandry practices for increasing the livestock productivity and improving the living standards of the farmers.