Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONSTRAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS FACED BY DAIRY FARM WOMEN IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES

P.M. Prajapati, R.D. Dhandhukia and H.N. Maheriya

Abstract

Present study was conducted in Vijapur and Mehsanatalukas of Mehsana district, where production of milk was highest as compared to other taluka. Ten villages having the larger number of female in milk producer’ co- operative societies were selected purposively. The dairy farm women were selected by multistage sampling method. Thus, the sample consisted of 120 respondents for the study. The major constraints faced by dairy farm women in animal husbandry practicesare high cost of concentrate feed, high rates of interest on loans, high cost of milch animal, lack of knowledge about recommended practices of animal husbandry, non-availability of roughages, non-availability of remunerative prices of milk and milk products, high cost of preparation of milk product and lack of proper training on animal husbandry. The major suggestion offered by dairy farm women to overcome the constraints in animal husbandry practices are supply of roughages and concentrate feed should be made available for construction of cattle shed and purchase of dairy animals, Loan/subsidy facilities should be cattle shed and purchase of dairy animals, supply of good quality of crossbred cows should be regular, provisions should be made for regular training of dairy farm women, veterinary health care and cattle camp should be organized time to time, at least five member of dairy co-operative society should be trained to solve the problems in animal husbandry and technical guidance regarding latest technology related to milk and milk processing should be provided to dairy farm women.