Advances in Research

Animal welfare assumes much significance in the era of dairy commercialization both for health of the animals as well as to improve the farm productivity. Although animal welfare scores, scales and modules have been developed and implemented at developed countries, the outreach of animal welfare and awareness about the same has not been given due importance in developing countries including India. In this context, the present research study was designed to make an attempt to find out the extent of adoption of animal welfare practices by the dairy farmers at field level. The study was undertaken in the Central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh State. Four districts (Hardoi, Auraiya, Allahabad and Kaushambi) were selected purposively based on highest and lowest bovine population and milk production. One block from each district and from each block two villages and from each village 15 farmer-respondents were selected randomly. A total of 120 respondents were finally approached for the primary data collection. The salient findings revealed that, lack of complete know-how about GDMPs/AWPs, lack of incentives, policy and programme support besides non-availability of timely veterinary services were the major constraints expressed by respondents. The present study concludes that, there is strong need to sensitize and train the extension personnel’s/veterinarians about the animal welfare practices and strengthen the dairy extension services among various stakeholders involved in dairying.