DAIRY EXTENSION SERVICES DELIVERY IN KARNATAKA STATE: AN EVALUATION STUDY
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
ICAR-SRS, NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
Dairy extension services delivery system providing the access to critical inputs and
services plays a significant role in adoption of technologies by the farmers for improved
livestock productivity. The existing dairy extension service providers in Karnataka State
include, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service, KMF-Dairy
Cooperatives Societies, NARES institutions, NGO’s and Private Agencies. In this context,
the present study was carried out with the objective of assessing role performance of
different dairy extension service providers in Karnataka. The study was conducted in four
districts of Karnataka State selected through randomly sampling technique representing
north zone, south zone, central zone and coastal & malnad zone, viz., Belagavi, Bangalore
Rural, Davangere and Udupi districts, respectively. From each district two blocks were
selected randomly and from each block 20 farmers were selected through random selection,
comprising a total sample size of 160 farmer-respondents. A structured interview schedule
was developed for primary data collection and data was analyzed with suitable statistical
tools. The study revealed that department of animal husbandry and veterinary services of
the state plays a predominant role in providing breeding services (98.75% A.I & P.D),
preventive services (100% vaccination & deworming, 71.00% disease surveillance) and
curative services (97.5%). Whereas the dairy co-operatives plays a vital role in providing
input services (90.00% mineral mixture & fodder seeds, 70.00% feed resources),
implementation of dairy schemes (90.00% in schemes implementation and 48.00% in
providing insurance) and provides assured marketing services (90.00%). The performance
of various service providers were analyzed in terms of frequency, quality, adequacy, cost
of services and timeliness and were ranked using weighted score. The DAH&VS was
perceived by the respondents, providing good quality (258.86) breeding services with least
cost (268.99). While cooperatives provided regular (267.67) and on time (178.95) breeding
services. Private input dealers provided good quality (279.35) inputs with adequate
quantity (196.74) whereas cooperatives provided inputs regularly (286.11) and timely
(189.58). However, DAH&VS provided inputs at subsidized cost or free of cost (255.00)
only under selective developmental schemes (220.00). Majority of the respondents
perceived that DAH&VS provided regular (274.38) and adequate (200.00) preventive
services and regular (290.00) and good quality (285.00) curative services at low or free of
cost (306.00). Whereas services provided by the private consultants were sufficient
(200.00), timely (200.00) but cost intensive (176.00). Farmers were fully satisfied with the
frequency and quality of marketing services (300.00) provided by the dairy cooperatives.
In the case of extension training & advisory services farmers perceived gap in access to
regular extension & advisory services. The major constraints faced by the farmers were
prioritized by Garrett’s ranking method which includes, inadequate extension and advisory
services (61.71), unavailability of timely AI & veterinary services (61.94), high cost of
cattle feed (67.66) and low procurement price for milk (70.87). The major suggestions
provided by the farmers were prioritized and ranked, which includes adequate extension &
training services focusing on dairy education aspects of dairy production and processing
(90.50%), improved access to the veterinary services (85.35%), regular supply of feed &
fodder resources (65.00%), remunerative milk procurement price (60.20%) and regulation
of cattle feed cost by the government, respectively. The present study concludes that most
of the dairy extension service providers are playing significant role in extending the dairy
extension services (health & breeding related services) and providing inputs to the farmers.
However, knowledge enhancement would be the key to existing constraints which could
be addressed through grass root level ‘dairy extension education’ focused on ‘demand
driven services’ of the target farming community.