MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED DAIRY FARMING PRACTICES IN RURAL AREAS

The simple realization that a situation demanding improvement in dairy farming is based on motivation of dairy farmers towards adoption of improved dairy farming practices. Motivational factors which were found to have non-significant correlation with extent of adoption were scienticism, security, members of co-op societies and recognition motives of the milk producers.   Economic motive has been conceptualized as characteristics of dairying as comprehended by a dairy farmer that it is a source of higher economic gain.  It is a desire on his part to perceive to be able to get more than his investment. Affiliation motive reflects the desire for socialization or join professional groups to accept information or just for the fun it has.  The practice of getting the cow serviced within 60-90 days after calving had highest adoption index, followed by treatment of repeat breeders and sterile animals. The adoption of feeding colostrum to new born calves and feeding colostrum continuously up to 5th day of its birth had highest adoption index. The reason for higher adoption of many feeding practices is an indication of positive attitude towards dairying, and to earn more profit through multiplication of healthy offspring. High adoption index for balanced feeding of milking animals was due to practical experience gained by the farmers as a result of exposure to dairy development programmes. Adoption of health care practices in the study area was low, indicating poor attention of the respondents towards these practices. The level of adoption of dairy management practices like practicing clean milk production was adopted to a greater extent by the farmers in the selected area.  Majority of the dairy farmers (47.5 per cent) in the selected area had fallen in medium adoption category. Slightly less than fifty per cent (48.3%). had medium level of adoption of feeding practices. The lower farm size leads to lower herd size, to lower social participation, to lower extension contacts and to lower family education.