International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
VS Prajapati, PS Sharma, SV Undhad and AR Parmar

abstract
Livestock production serves as a primary source of income for all livestock owners, encompassing various ventures. Animal husbandry practices, with a particular emphasis on nutrition, play a pivotal role in ensuring optimal animal production and reproduction. In buffalo rearing among rural farmers in the adopted village of Rajkot district, it has been observed that inadequate nutrition significantly contributes to low live weight, infertility, and diminished milk yields. Addressing these issues, a technology demonstration was conducted, focusing on the feeding regimen of combining fodder with concentrate and mineral mixture for buffalo. This initiative aimed to enhance the overall well-being of the livestock and improve the economic prospects for the rural farmers. The identification of low milk production in buffalo was carried out using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method in the adopted rural village of Rajkot district, Gujarat. Over the period of three years (2015-2017), three different treatments were tested. Among these, Treatment-3 (T₃) emerged as the most beneficial, showcasing positive outcomes in terms of daily milk production (kg/day), milk production per unit, net return (profit) in Rs./local buffalo breed, and a higher benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The feeding method involving a combination of fodder, concentrate, and mineral mixture is recommended to be implemented on a larger scale for improved growth and increased livestock production. The success of implementing these feeding practices in the rural adopted village can be attributed to the exhaustive efforts made by KVK Pipalia. The dissemination of knowledge and effective technology transfer was achieved through various means, including trainings, field-level demonstrations (FLDs), on-farm trials (OFTs), and other extension activities such as field visits, diagnostic visits, and animal health camps. These efforts collectively aim to elevate animal production and enhance the income of dairy farmers in the region.