Information Need Assessment of Professionals about Dairy Farming in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Dairy ensures the livelihood security of 70 million farm families in India. In order to ensure the efficient use of resources in the animal husbandry industry, improve the quality of veterinary services, and update professionals (Veterinary officers, University scientists and KMF officials) skills, it is essential to examine the information needs of professionals. The present study was conducted to know the information needs of Professionals about dairy farming in Karnataka. Random sampling method was followed to select 10 University scientists, 10 Veterinary officers and 5 KMF officials from each district making a final sample size of 100 respondents from four districts of Karnataka. Majority of the professionals, were in medium category for their socio-economic characteristics. The needs were analyzed after data collection and prioritized based on weighted mean score (WMS) of each item and it was found that information on feeding and nutrition (WMS 2.64, Rank I), health management and disease control (WMS 2.64, Rank I), was highly required by veterinary officers. Further, the information on clean milk production and value addition (WMS 2.64, Rank I) was highly required by university scientists, followed by breeding and reproduction (WMS 2.62, Rank II), whereas the information on breed selection and identification of quality dairy animals (WMS 1.33, Rank I) was highly required by KMF officials, followed by feeding and nutrition (WMS 1.29, Rank II). Information regarding the highly prioritized areas in dairy farming are very crucial for enhancing the scientific dairy farming practices among multistakeholders. This study would facilitate in disseminating the required information through through development of e-modules or trainings. The information needs of professionals would facilitate the service providers and policy makers to develop suitable and sustainable strategies to fulfill their needs through effective implementation of innovative interventions.