Adoption of Improved Cattle Management Practices in Dairy Cooperative Societies among Women Farmers in Arid Region

The present study was conducted in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan to find out the extent of adoption of improved cattle management practices by the women. A list of women engaged in cattle management practices was procured from Uttari Rajasthan Sahkari Dugdh Utpadak Sangh Limited (URMUL). The respondents were selected by using proportionate random sampling procedure from 18 dairy co-operative societies of 6 selected milk procurement routes. Therefore, a total number of 120 women respondents of dairy co-operative societies were drawn for the present investigation. Data were collected with the help of pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that majority (56.67%) of women respondents were in medium adoption category followed by low (28.33%) and high (15.00%) adoption groups. Relatively more number of cross-breed cattle owners fell in medium adoption group as compared to indigenous cattle owners. Both type of respondents adopted, management, breeding and feeding practices to a large extent. Minimum adoption was found in health care aspect of improved cattle management practices.