IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

ASSESSINGFARMERS' KNOWLEDGE OF SCIENTIFIC DAIRY FARMING PRACTICES FOR TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY THROUGH RKVY’S MODERN EXTENSION DELIVERY SYSTEM

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Dr. S.Swetha Kanthi

Abstract

In the realm of agricultural development, the dissemination of scientific knowledge to farmers, particularly in regions with high illiteracy rates and gender-based technology disparities, presents a significant challenge. Addressing this challenge, Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University (SVVU) introduced a groundbreaking extension delivery system in 2017, exemplified by the innovative "PashuVignana Sanchara Vahini" mobile vehicle. Through direct village-level engagements, SVVU has empowered farmers with modern agricultural and animal husbandry practices, fostering collaboration and learning within farming communities. Building on this success, an RKVY project expanded the initiative to regional institutions in Andhra Pradesh under SVVU, focusing on localized solutions for farmers' challenges. Recognizing the pivotal role of farmers' knowledge in income generation, this research aimed to develop a knowledge test for dairy farmers to gauge their understanding of scientific dairy practices for the effective application of modern delivery systems. Drawing on established methodologies, a panel of experts constructed a 45-item locally applicable knowledge test, demonstrating high stability and validity.The absence of items on crossbreeds and improved fodder cultivation in the knowledge test is attributed to the region's predominant nondescript dairy breeds and negligible fodder production, exacerbated by the semiarid climate. The test, focusing on scientific dairyanimal production, offers a dichotomous assessment of farmers' scientific knowledge, contributing to targeted knowledge transfer strategies and sustainable agricultural development in the regions of the research area.

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