Knowledge Level of Farm Women about Improved Cattle Management Practices in Arid Region of Rajasthan

Livestock sector plays a pivotal role in the economy of our country. Majority of rural women are involved in animal husbandry practices but the nature and extent of their involvement varies widely and is strongly influenced by their knowledge, economic status, caste, ethnic background etc. Women are the prime decision makers in dairy production activities such as utilization of milk, care of pregnant animals and calves, brining of fodder and feeding of concentrate. The investigation was concerned with Uttari Rajasthan Sahkari Dugdh Utpadak Sangh Limited (URMUL), Bikaner of Rajasthan to find out the knowledge level of improved cattle management practices by the women in the district. URMUL dairy Bikaner rank sixth in terms of milk collecting union. A sample of 120 women respondents of dairy co-operative societies was drawn. The respondents were selected with the help of proportionate random sampling procedure out of 18 dairy co-operative societies of 6 selected milk procurement routes. Data were collected by personal interview method. The results of the study revealed that 48.33 per cent of the respondents were having medium level of knowledge regarding improved cattle management practices, while 26.67 per cent had high level of knowledge and rest 25 per cent had low level of knowledge on improved cattle management practices.