Through mass contact programme at doorstep, the information on land holding, agriculture and
occupational practices of 1198 livestock farmers of coastal area of South Gujarat, and reproductive
and productive parameters of 5060 breedable dairy animals possessed by them were obtained.
The percentages of landless, small, medium and large landholder dairy farmers in the area were
14.94, 71.62, 12.77 and 0.67, respectively. The irrigation facility for agriculture and the primary
occupation of agriculture with animal keeping was up to 85 per cent. The average age at first calving
was 28.40±3.12 and 42.05±4.23 months in crossbred cattle and buffaloes, respectively (pis less than 0.01).
The mean calving interval (13.64±2.46 vs 18.47±2.86 months) and postpartum estrus interval
(51.66±17.08 vs 92.68±15.93 days) were significantly shorter in crossbred cows than in buffaloes.
Among 3232 and 1828 crossbred cattle and buffaloes surveyed, 25.34 and 27.35 per cent had
different reproductive problems. The problem of silent heat was more in buffaloes including heifers
than the crossbred cows. The percentages of anoestrus and repeat breeding were comparatively
higher in buffaloes including heifers as compared to crossbred cows. The average milk yield/day
was 10.28±3.49 and 6.93±4.63 liters in crossbred cows and buffaloes, respectively (pis less than 0.05). The
mean lactation length was more or less similar in both the classes of animals. Breeding (>99%
through AI) and feeding practices of green (15-16 kg), dry (6-7 kg) fodder and concentrate (1-2
kg) were similar in cattle and buffaloes. Supplementation of mineral mixture was slightly higher in
crossbred cows as compared to buffaloes, and concerned farmers had a greater tendency to
provide drinking water ad lib or 3 times a day. The higher percentage of both cows and buffaloes
were kept in close animal houses. The findings indicated the awareness level and facilities of farmers
of coastal areas in dairy husbandry practices and thereby productive-reproductive problems in their
animals, which need to be improved by scientific interventions.
Correlation Analysis of Socio-Personal Profile of Dairy Farmers with Knowledge and Adoption of Improved Animal Husbandry Practices in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, India
