Livestock production through extension education-A review

Extension of knowledge, technology and service through extension education to the grass root level is of paramount importance for the growth of the livestock sector. The XI Plan document of Planning Commission has highlighted the importance of livestock extension, while addressing the various issues concerning livestock extension delivery system and it has also been written in the report of the working group on animal husbandry and dairying 12^th five year plan (2012–17) submitted to planning commission government of India. Unfortunately, extension education is almost totally absent in animal husbandry, and special efforts need to be made in this area. Both Central and State Government agencies have kept extension education at a low priority as hardly 1% of the total budget for the sector is allocated for extension activities. To cater to the diverse needs of livestock farmers, among others an efficient livestock extension education system is required. This situation was analyzed towards improving the framework of extension education for livestock production.