ADOPTION RATE OF RECOMMENDED FARMING PRACTICES BY DAIRY FARMERS OF KERALA*

Abstract

The study was conducted among the dairy farmers of Kerala, with a view to find out the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. The different scientific practices were categorised as those related to breeding, housing, feeding, reproduction, milking, calf care and health. Data were collected from 350 farmers using a structured schedule from 350 respondents, by personal interview technique. The farmers/farm households were categorized into small or subsistence farms (1-2 cows), medium (3-10 cows) and large farms (more than 10 cows). Adoption scores ranged from 39.73 (low) for breeding practices among small farmers to 84.93 (medium) for reproduction related practices among medium farms. Overall adoption scores were medium for all practices.

Keywords

• adoption score
• farming practices