Assessment of the productive and reproductive performance of cattle and buffalo in northern Bihar: A quantitative analysis Saurav Subhash Kumar1,*, Chakravarty Ritu2, Chandran Vani3, Sinha Shrija3, Ponnusamy K.4, Meena B.S.4 1Ph.D. Research Scholar, Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi–110012 2Senior Scientist, Dairy Extension Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal–132001, Haryana 3Ph.D. Research Scholar, Dairy Extension Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal–132001, Haryana 4Principal Scientist, Dairy Extension Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal–132001, Haryana *Corresponding author email id: subhashksrv@gmail.com
Online Published on 30 March, 2024. Abstract The livestock industry is crucial to the socio-economic advancement of rural households. Milk production and the profitability of the dairy industry are directly impacted by the reproductive and productive abilities of dairy animals. The present study was conducted in three districts of Northern Bihar to assess the productive and reproductive performance of cattle and buffalo. Three districts from North Bihar were selected on the basis of stratified random sampling. A total of 180 respondents with at least five years of experience in dairy farming and at least one animal in milk were surveyed regarding the productive and reproductive performance of cattle and buffalo using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings of the study indicate the poor productive performance of cattle and buffalo in the study area. The reproductive performance of dairy animals was also found to be poor as compared to the recommended values. Milk production and the profitability of the dairy industry are directly impacted by the reproductive and productive abilities of dairy animals. To improve the productive and reproductive performance of dairy animals, Government entities, NGOs, and KVKs must promote awareness. Farmers’ capacity may be built through the organization of training programs, and timely input may be provided. Government organizations must set up animal health camps, and KVK can arrange for training in dairy farming. Top Keywords North Bihar, Dairy, Productive, Reproductive, Farmers, Cattle, Buffalo. Top |