Dynamics of linkage among the stakeholders involved in dairy farming in kerala state

Effective transfer of a technology in dairying may depend on various actors like researchers, extension officials from animal husbandry and dairy development departments, cooperative societies and other enterprises related to input and output markets. The study was undertaken in Kerala to identify and analyze the major stakeholders involved in dairy farming in the State. A total of 200 respondent farmers and stakeholders from research and extension domain in the study area were selected through random sampling. The linkage activities between the stakeholders in the study area were analyzed with the help of linkage index. Among the technology dissemination activities, research- extension linkage was strong with involvement of researchers as resource person for training programme organized for extension personnel and involvement in animal health and veterinary services. Among technology development activities, a research-extension linkage was weak in identifying research problems from field level. There is strong linkage between the extension and clientele in health and veterinary service and involvement in training programmes and seminar.

Among the technology dissemination activities, the linkage between research-clientele is strong in organizing training programmes, exhibitions and mela. There is weak linkage between research clientele in technology development activities. Overall linkage index is strong in extension clientele linkage, moderate in research-extension linkage and weak in research-clientele linkage. The linkage between the research and extension is dominated by training, workshop/seminar and farm publication followed by field days and dairy mela. The linkage between the extension-clientele is dominated by training programmes, seminar, farm publications, exhibition, demonstration, field days and dairy mela.