Attitude and constraints in the adoption of scientific dairy farming practices in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu

Abstract:

The study was conducted from April 2025 to May 2025. This study assessed the attitudes towards dairy husbandry and constraints encountered by dairy farmers in five villages of Harur Block, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. The study adopted an ex post facto research design. A total of 60 dairy farmers were selected using a structured interview schedule. The collected data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Weighted Mean Score (WMS) and Rank-Based Quotient (RBQ). The results revealed that 80.00 per cent of the respondents exhibited a neutral attitude towards dairy husbandry, while 10.00 per cent each belonged to the favourable and least favourable attitude categories. All the respondents (100.00%) expressed a favourable attitude towards artificial insemination as a breeding practice. A majority of the respondents (73.33%) showed a favourable attitude towards deworming of crossbred animals for internal parasites. The major constraints perceived by the respondents included the high cost of concentrate feed, inadequate knowledge regarding deworming and dehorning of animals and lack of awareness about government schemes. The findings highlighted the need to strengthen extension and advisory services, improve farmers' awareness of scientific dairy farming practices and government support programmes, and enhance farmers' access to training and institutional and veterinary support to improve dairy productivity and farmers' livelihoods.