Extent of knowledge of improved animal husbandry practices and socio-economical, psychological characteristics of dairy farmers of Yavatmal district of Vidarbha (Maharashtra)

The study was conducted at Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur, Maharashtra during 2009-10. The study had been conceptualized with overall objectives to assess the knowledge of improve animal husbandry practices and socio-economical, psychological characteristics of dairy farmers in adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. It is observed that, majority of the dairy farmers belonged to middle age group and obtained secondary education. Majority of respondents were in medium level of family size, land size, herd size, daily milk production, daily milk sale, annual income, social participation, utilization of information sources and attitude. Study reveals that, majority of respondents i.e. 79.04 per cent were in medium category with respect of their level of knowledge of improved animal husbandry practices, followed by high level of knowledge 8.58 per cent and 12.38 per cent in low level of knowledge. The practice wise knowledge study showed that, majority of the respondents had 44.14 per cent complete knowledge regarding health care practices, followed by clean milk production (40.00%), calf rearing (33.73), management (28.66), breeds and breeding (25.47), feeding (22.85), housing (15.91) and marketing (12.85). The least knowledge for Insurance practices (4.66).