The Asian Journal of Animal Science

Anika Malik ¹, Gautam ², Kamaldeep ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN
2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN
3 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN

Abstract

India is predominantly an agrarian society where animal husbandry forms the backbone of national economy. Many of the important tasks in animal husbandry are performed by women besides their responsibilities as home makers and caring of animals is considered as an extension of domestic activities. This study emphasized the relative contribution of rural women in various animal husbandry activities. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state. 30 women farmers were chosen from each selected villages thus constituting a sample size of 120 by simple lottery method. Gender inequality in terms of contribution to animal keeping activities was assessed. The role performance was assessed by documenting the contribution of both men and women family members in the routine activities (feeding, management, dung disposal and milking) and non-routine activities (healthcare, breeding and animal marketing) associated with animals. The average time spent in the animal husbandry activities by a household was 6.76 hours. Out of this women farmer's contribution was 5.17 hours. The contribution of the male members of the family was lesser, and was restricted for most part to the feeding and management activities. They contributed a little in the dung and milk management. Women reportedly contributed significantly (64 % of the feeding, 76 % of the management, 100% in dung disposal and 89% in the milking of animals). And in case of non-routine activities there were distinct roles adopted by men and women. The roles appear strictly gender demarcated with women being assigned the activities that have to do with routine care of animals at home. It appears that patriarchal system is prevalent and is facilitating male dominance.

Keywords

Livestock, Rural Women, Role Performance.

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Anika Malik ¹, Gautam ², Kamaldeep ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN
2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN
3 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN

Abstract

Animal keeping is an integral part of rural life and is considered a pathway for women empowerment. Rural women play a key role in livestock management. However it is often argued that their contribution are undermined, underestimated and their decision making power are highly limited.The knowledge and skill of women dairy occupation and their participation in decision making certainly affects their efficiency in work and in the development of dairy enterprise. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state to assess the participation of women in decision making regarding animals and in animal husbandry development programmes. The respondents were selected using simple lottery method and 30 women farmers were chosen from each four selected villages thus constituting a sample size of 120. It was found that their participation in different areas varied. They can give only suggestions to their spouse in decision making regarding animals' purchase and sale, insurance, loans, participation in support programmes (like trainings) and not taking decisions independently. Only 1.67 per cent of women were found beneficiaries of training in last 5 years. None of the respondent women was a beneficiary of Composite Murrah Development Scheme and establishment of high value dairy units. And around 5 per cent women visit the hospital for treatment as compared to 95 per cent men and only 15 per cent women were beneficiaries of loan as compared to 85 per cent men. More attention should be given to rural women to build their capacities in decision making. Moreover appropriate ways and approaches should be adopted for providing equal access to women in Animal Husbandry Development Programmes.

Keywords

Rural Women, Decision Making, Animal Husbandry, Development Programmes.

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Anika Malik ¹, Gautam ¹, Kamaldeep ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN
2 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, HISAR (HARYANA), IN

Abstract

Livestock is generally considered a key asset for rural livelihoods. Rural women access to inputs and markets are considered as main pillars of women empowerment in dairy sector. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state with a sample size of 120 rural women engaged in dairy farming. Almost half of the respondents felt that they could ensure routine supplies like green fodder, compound feed, utensil and equipments etc. But in case of ensuring breeding services and purchasing new animal, a large majority was not confident. The respondents appeared constrained to utilize the growing market opportunities even if it is assumed that women can freely practice animal husbandry thus, raising doubts on the empowerment potential. There is need to revisit the idea of gender empowerment through livestock.

Keywords

Livestock, Rural Women, Empowerment, Inputs, Market.

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Rachna ¹, Gautam ², Anika Malik ², S. S. Sangwan ², Kamaldeep ³, Richa Khirbat ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Dairy Business Management, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
3 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
4 Institute of Para Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

The success story of Indian milk production has been written primarily by millions of rural producers and perhaps the major share of credit goes to women dairy farmers. Women are major contributors in the agricultural economy, but face various constraints that limit them from achieving optimal livestock production and agricultural development. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state to document the constraints affecting the growth of mixed dairy farming systems. The respondents for the study comprised of 60 women engaged in mixed dairy farming. The constraints perceived by the respondents were divided into six main areas viz., general, feeding, economic, management, health care and breeding. Management and feeding constraints were perceived as most serious. Constraints like, ‘high cost of animal feeds and fodders’ ‘fragmentation of land holdings’, ‘high losses due to animal diseases’ were rated as most serious by the respondents. On the other hand they were least bothered about constraints like ‘non- availability of veterinary hospital in the village’, ‘vaccination facilities are not timely available’, ‘ far away location of veterinary hospital is a problem’, non- availability of veterinary surgeons’ and ‘lack of storage facility for dairy products’. Age, social participation, extension contact and mass media exposure were significantly and positively associated with constraint perception. Education, land holding, and risk orientation were negatively but insignificantly related to the constraint perception. Further studies in areas of market incentives and opportunities, diseases and animals, extension services and quality delivery, gender role and information seeking behaviour are advised.

Keywords

Mixed Dairy Farming System, Women, Constraints, Livestock, Dairying.

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Rachna ¹, Gautam ², Anika Malik ², S. S. Sangwan ², Richa Khirbat ³, Kamaldeep ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Dairy Business Management, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
3 Institute of Para Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
4 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Among the different forms of livestock farming, dairying is considered as a “treasure” of the Indian rural economy. For the design and implementation of support programmes to promote dairy farming for rural development and for adoption of new technologies in dairy, profile of the dairy farmers is an important factor in developing countries like India. By considering this aspect the study was undertaken in Hisar district of Haryana. Among the 60 dairy farmers 73.3 per cent of respondents were middle aged with mean age of about 43 years. The respondents had fairly good formal education with mean value of 4.23 which indicates that majority (96.6%) of dairy farmers were literate. Family structure of dairy farmers was 65.0 per cent of the respondents belonged to joint families and 35.0 per cent to nuclear families. The family land holding ranged from 1 to 6 acres with a mean 2.60 acres. 43.3 per cent of the respondents preferred to have a herd size of 3-5 dairy animals. The respondents in general had poor social participation with mean value as low as 0.16. Further, majority of the respondents had low level of extension contact with mean value of 2.23. Mass media exposure of dairy farmers was also low with mean value of 2.65 which indicates majority (73.3%) of dairy farmers had low level of mass media exposure. However, economic motivation of dairy farmer was fairly high with mean value of 22.56. The dairy farmers in general had medium risk orientation with mean value 18.28.

Keywords

Dairy Farmers, Socio-Economic Profile, Dairying, Rural Development, Livestock Farming.

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Rakesh Ahuja ¹, S. P. Singh ¹, S. S. Sangwan ¹, Gautam ¹, Anika Malik ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Dairy enterprise could play a more constructive role in promoting rural welfare and reducing poverty by generating employment at farm level is increasingly being recognized. The present study was conducted on 160 dairy farmers selected from 12 villages of Hisar and Jind districts of Haryana to assess the self-confidence among dairy entrepreneurs about animal husbandry practices. Self-confidence was measured by using innovative scale which consisted of five practices in respect of the dairy management. The respondents were grouped into three categories namely low, medium and high level of self-confidence using mean and one standard deviation. The data were collected through pre-tested structured interview schedule by holding personal interview with the dairy farmers during 2014-15. The overall analysis revealed that 36.88 per cent of dairy farmers had medium level of self-confidence while 33.1 per cent and 30 per cent of dairy farmers were having low and high level of self-confidence, respectively. It is evident from the correlation analysis that educational qualification, size of land holding, annual income, caste, dairy farming experience, extension contact, social participation, mass media exposure, economic motivation, scientific orientation, attitude towards dairy farming and market orientation showed positive and significant relationship (P<1) with self-confidence of dairy farmers while age also having significant but negative correlation with self-confidence of dairy farmers. The negative correlation of age with self-confidence of dairy farmers may be attributed to the reason that with the advancing age farmers become more inclined towards traditional practices due to lack of energy, change proneness, decision making ability and progressive attitude. Almost similar results were also seen in case of small, medium and large categories of farmers. Further, regression analysis revealed that two independent variables namely, caste and economic motivation were found to have positive and significant values of ‘t’ for ‘b’. The multiple co-efficient determinant (R²) further implies that all the thirteen variables had together explained 91.25 per cent of variation towards self-confidence of dairy farmers.

Keywords

Self-Confidence, Economic Motivation, Scientific Orientation, Dairy Farmers.

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Rachna ¹, Gautam ², Anika Malik ², S. S. Sangwan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Dairy Business Management, College of Dairy Science anf Technology, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajput Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

The future growth of agricultural production systems (including dairy) is likely to be knowledge intensive. Therefore, a continued support in the form of increasingly improved production technology will prove crucial to achieve higher productivity. Such support is possible only if sustained and focused efforts are made on research and development front. It is only logical to suggest here that a realistic appreciation of the constraints affecting the production systems on part of scientists will be vital to the development of improved technology. Ascertaining the constraint perception of the scientists about the factors affecting the growth of mixed dairy farming systems will be helpful in streamlining the research and development efforts. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state to document the constraints affecting the growth of mixed dairy farming systems. Thirty scientists working in the College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar were selected randomly by simple random sampling. Constraints like ‘young generation does not like animal husbandry related work’, ‘non-availability of pasture and fellow land’, ‘non-availability of green fodder’, ‘farmers lack of knowledge about improved animal husbandry practices’, ‘high cost of animal feeds’, etc were perceived as most serious by the scientists. On the other hand, items like ‘there is perception that animals cause diseases’, ‘changing milk consumption patterns’, ‘more time is required for agriculture leaving less for animal husbandry’, ‘lack of market for dairy products’ etc. were perceived as least serious.

Keywords

Constraints Affecting Growth, Dairying under Mixed Farming Systems.

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