Adoption of Improved Dairy Production Practices by Dairy and Non-Dairy Farmers’ Groups

Abstract

A study was conducted to understand the farmers ‘knowledge on adoption of dairy technologies, comparing dairy farmers groups [DFG] and non-dairy group members. Over 167 farmers were interviewed in three Dzongkhags in Low altitude [Sarpang], Mid-Altitude [Tsirang] and high altitude [Haa]. Ninety-seven were respondents of dairy farmers’ groups and 70 were respondents of non-dairy farmers’ group. The questionnaire sought information on farmers’ knowledge on dairy technology, household profile, feeding practices, dairy husbandry practices, breeding practices and health practices. Dairy farmers’ group respondents had a high level of adoption in feeding practices with 84.92 percent, dairy husbandry practices with 80.15 percent and health care practices with 77.30 percent. However, the non-dairy farmers’ group respondents had medium level of adoption of feeding practices with 69.20 percent, dairy husbandry practices with 54.92 respondent and health care practices with 69.87 percent. Breeding practice adoption among dairy farmers’ group respondents was medium with 43 percent and non-dairy farmers group respondents with 28 percent. There is a big scope for strengthening the farmers’ knowledge on dairy technology adoption among dairy and non-dairy farmers groups, particularly in breeding practices through awareness creation and training of farmers on emerging technologies.