Knowledge level of dairy farmers on scientific dairy husbandry practices in Northern Telangana State of India

A diagnostic study was undertaken to examine knowledge level of the farmers on dairy management practices in Karimnagar, Kamareddy, Jagitial, and Peddapalli districts of Northern Telangana state. Data was collected from 240 dairy farmers from 24 villages of 8 mandals belonging to the above 4 newly formed districts. A pretested semistructured questionnaire in precise language was employed for collecting data through interview and face to face discussion with the dairy farmers duly avoiding ambiguous, dichotomous and non-variant items for proper interpretation. The data revealed that, majority of the respondents had high knowledge on the colostrum, balanced feeding and the process of silage making but most of the farmers did not have awareness on advantage of chaffing of fodders. It was found that, majority of the respondents had high knowledge on the oestrous cycle period and correct time of conceiving cow/ buffalo after coming into heat. Majority of the respondents had knowledge on artificial insemination and following it however if the animal failed to conceive even after three inseminations the farmers got the animal served by a desi/improved bull. Most of the farmers followed full hand milking method and had complete knowledge about washing of teat and udder before milking. Majority of the respondents had complete knowledge regarding vaccination, deworming of animals. The study concludes that, knowledge levels of farmers about feeding, breeding and health care should be improved by capacity building, making them more knowledgeable regarding animal husbandry activities.