LOCATION IMPACT OF VETERINARY CLINICS ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF LIVESTOCK OWNERS ON DAIRYING AND MILK PRODUCTION

A descriptive study was conducted in the milk shed areas of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. Difference in the knowledge of different dairy husbandry activities and their impact on milk production was studied between villages with and without veterinary clinic (VC). A total of 4 villages were selected with 2 villages each in the categories of with and without VC. A sample of 25 livestock owners (LSW) were observed and interviewed at random from each village and thus, the total sample size was 100. The questionnaire was divided into 3 sections, namely personal profile, dairy husbandry activities and, milk production and utility. Dairy husbandry activities were sub-divided into general management, health care, feeding and breeding. Knowledge in village with VC for general management, health, feeding and breeding (χ2 was 188, P 0.05), 45.0 (P< 0.01), 41.7 (P< 0.05) and 52.5% (P< 0.05), respectively. Milk production and sales were 4.91 d−1 and Rs. 11,300 yr−1, respectively and higher in villages with VC than Villages without VC. The overall knowledge of different dairy husbandry activities was significantly (P< 0.01) different between 2 types of villages. Knowledge was not related with the number of milch animals but had significant (P< 0.01) relationship with personal details like age, education, aduH working members in the family, land holding, herd size and milk production. Milk production which was taken as measurement of skill, was also significantly influenced by personal profile of LSW. Level of education and size of family had no impact on milk production. Knowledge was significantly related with milk yield, use and sales.