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Adoption of Dairy Farming Technologies by Small Farm Holders: Practices and Constraints

MA Quddus
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In Bangladesh, usually, small scale farmers are not adopted to use all kinds of improved technologies in dairy farming. But, high level of technology adoption has a direct impact on milk yield and household’s income generation as well as dairy development. The objectives of this study was to determine the causes of adoption and non adoption of high yielding breed, the level of practices and constraints in adopting the improved technologies. The study was carried out in three different agro-ecological zones and 180 dairy cattle farmers were interviewed. Self practiced dairy technologies were listed, adoption score for each technology and adoption index for each farmer were studied. One-fourth farmers used artificial insemination for breeding purpose and two-fifth belonged to medium or high level of technology adoption. Only 35% farmers adopted crossbred cows and some others upgraded indigenous with exotic breeds. About 17.5% rural farmers and 70% semi-urban farmers reared crossbred cows and rural farmers are reluctant to utilize all kinds of improved technologies. Secondary and higher educated farmers were 9.7 times more likely to be adopting improved technologies compared to illiterate farmers. Top ranked constraints were ill equipped and negligible services at AI Centre, no provision for testing of animals, poor knowledge of farmers about health care of animals and inadequate knowledge about proper feeding and balanced ration. Need more knowledge on improved technologies through training, availability of reliable and continuous technical assistance, availability and low price of concentrate feeds, increased and timely provision of medicine, increasing AI facilities, providing pure breed and strengthening extension services were the main suggestions from farmers

Keywords: Adoption, Cattle farmers, Constraints, Technologies

Location: In three different agro-ecological zones hilly highlands (Jinaigati Upazila under Sherpur District), riverside lowlands (Dewangonj Upazila under Jamalpur District) and Semi-urban areas (Sadar, Mymensingh)

Start Date: 00-10-2010

End Date: 00-03-2011

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology

Objectives:

To determine the causes of adoption and non adoption of high yielding breed, the level of practices and constraints in adopting the improved technologies.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in three different agro-ecological zones hilly highlands (Jinaigati Upazila under Sherpur District), riverside lowlands (Dewangonj Upazila under Jamalpur District) and Semi-urban areas (Sadar, Mymensingh). Zones were selected by using purposive sampling procedure keeping in view the operational feasibility. Two adjacent villages were selected from each zone where small dairy farms were available. One hundred and eighty (sixty from each zone) dairy cattle farmers were selected and interviewed by a cross-sectional household visits with the help of a structured interview schedule that was pre-tested and adjusted prior to the objectives of the study. Data were collected from October 2010 to March 2011.Self practiced dairy technologies (crossbred cows, housing status, technology uses in feeding, treatment, etc.) were listed and their adoption level in percentage of farmers was measured. Further, adoption score for each technology was measured by scoring the level of technology used. Adoption index for each farmer was computed by score obtained for individual divided by total obtainable score and expressed as percentage. The dairy farmers were categorized into four categories (no adopters, low adopters, medium adopters and high adopters) on the basis of their level of adoption measured in terms of adoption index. Combination of the farmers of the first two categories was named as non-adopters and the last two categories was named as adopters. The level of constraints was measured by number of farmers perceiving the constraint divided by total number of farmers and expressed as percentage Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 computer software package. A characterization was done using contingency tables (cross tabulation) to compare the proportion of adopters and non-adopters in respect of a particular characteristic. Chi-square tests were carried out to assess relationships between adoption and socioeconomic variables. Usually, standard linear regression model (logit model) is used in a binary choice (adoption versus non-adoption of technology) of outcomes. Factors included in the model are exogenous i.e. currently taken as given by the households. The model provides empirical estimates of how change in these exogenous variables influences the probability of adoption and used to assess the effectiveness of technology adoption (Nkonya et al. 1997).

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 124-135

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The level of technology adoption by smallholder dairy farmers is unsatisfactory and is highly dependent on farmer’s education, farming experiences, financial status and extension services. The socioeconomic circumstances influence adoption of technologies to a great extent, and these factors are the ones that determine the unique adoption process in any adoption study. Each of the improved management practices was associated with higher milk yield but adopters of a particular technology were also the adopters of other management practices, so need to sort out the influence of a particular management practices. Training program should be conducted to improve the knowledge of farmers about advantages of AI services, better keeping of cross breed cattle, better management of milch animals and techniques of clean milk production, so that milk production and productivity could be enhanced.

Knowledge Management: Journal