Constraints Perceived by the Gujjars regarding Adoption of Improved Animal Husbandry Practices

Gujjar is a major tribal pastoral community of India. In Jammu and Kashmir state, Gujjars that deal with dairy and animal husbandry practices are known as Dodhi Gujjars. Their herd mainly constitutes of local buffaloes, buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed and in some cases they keep two or three indigenous cows also. The study was conducted in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir, with a view to find out the constraints faced by Gujjars in adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. The data were collected from 120 Gujjar respondents belonging to R.S Pura and Bishnah block of Jammu district with the help of structured interview schedule containing selected dependent and independent variable, through personal interview technique. In general, constraints related to awareness of the respondents and non availability of veterinary services were perceived as the most serious constraints in adoption of improved animal husbandry practices by the Gujjars. Lack of knowledge about; “keeping up to date management records, antibiotics in milk and their ill effects to human population, recommended feeding practices”, high cost of mineral mixture, perception of A.I. as an unnatural process and veterinary center/dispensary functioning without a veterinary assistant surgeon were the most serious constraints perceived by the Gujjars.