Knowledge of Dairy Farmers about Improved Animal Husbandry Practices in Kheda District of Gujarat

The present study was undertaken in Kheda district in Gujarat with the objectives to study the knowledge and socio – economic status of the dairy farmers in adoption of some improved animal husbandry practices. It was observed that 52 per cent dairy farmers belonged to middle age group, 60 per cent obtained secondary education, 80 per cent had membership of social organisation, 32 per cent possessing marginal land holding and 70 per cent were dependent upon canal irrigation. Fifty four per cent of farmers had big size family (more than five members) whereas 60 per cent had one earning member in a family and 78 per cent were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Seventy to ninety per cent of dairy farmers had high level of knowledge regarding breed improvement, nutritional management, water management, improved animal husbandry practices of milking management and disease control practices. Thus, it was concluded that dairy farmers of Kheda tehsil possessed medium to high level of knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices.