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IMPACT EVALUATION OF TRAINING COURSES ON

DAIRY FARMING IN DISTRICT KAPURTHALA
Manoj Sharma, Gurdeep Singh and Keshava*
Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kapurthala - 144620, Punjab, India
Abstract

The dairy farming is emerging in a big way in the recent years. Although
production of milk has increased but productivity is still not up to the mark. To increase
the productivity and sustain livelihood security the specialized training courses provided by
Krishi Vigyan Kendras can play a pivotal role. Although vocational training in dairy
farming provided by the KVK,Kapurthala has helped in increasing the knowledge,
inculcating skills and improving socio-economic status of the rural poor. But the real
impact of these training courses was rarely studied. During the year 2009, in-depth survey
of 60 dairy trainees was done to know the impact of these specialized training courses on
dairy farming. It was found that as a result of training the average herd size with dairy
farmers increased from 7.68 to 9.21. Knowledge level of trainees in breed characteristics,
disease management, feed management etc had increased. Number of trainees having
knowledge about feed preparation technology increased from 6.67 to 100.00 per cent and
average knowledge score of the trainees from 3.64 to 6.39. Not only there was gain in
knowledge farmers actually applied that gained knowledge at their farms which resulted in
enhancement of their daily income. None of the trainee used UMMB licks before the
training while after training percentage of trainees using UMMB licks was 18.75 per cent.
Thus, with along with gain in knowledge there was adoption of recent technologies among
the dairy farmers. As a result of improved management at dairy farms the average milk
production per animal per year increased from 6.76 to 6.93. The average reduction in cost
of management of disease per animal per year was approximately Rs. 708.22. Increase in
net profit per animal per year was Rs. 2607.82. Thus, it can be concluded that specialized
training courses in dairy farming are proving to be beneficial to the dairy farmers by
enhancing their socio-economic status.

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*Senior scientist, Zonal Project Directorate Zone 1 PAU, Campus, Ludhiana

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In current scenario of Indian agriculture, there are innumerable

challenges to raise production without putting pressure on land and water
resources. Dairy enterprise can play a major role in this context. Dairy farming
enterprise is emerging in a big way in the recent years as far as its contribution
to agricultural GDP is concerned. According to the ministry of agriculture, the
contribution of livestock to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased
from 4.8% during 1980-81 to about 6.5% during 2002-03 and is currently 5.3%.
The contribution of livestock to agriculture GDP has gone up from 13.8% in
1981 to 23.8% during 2002- 2003. Moreover, over exploitation of the natural
resources like soil and water has resulted in shift of concern of policy makers
towards dairy farming.

Although, India is largest producer of milk in the world but still

productivity of livestock in India is dismally low. To enhance the productivity of
animals breed improvement and better management practices are required.
Specialized training courses to dairy farmers can enhance the productivity of
animals which is dismally low in India as compared to other countries. The Farm
Science Centres known as 'Krishi Vigyan Kendra' (KVK) are functional in
various districts of India for imparting vocational training to different category
of farmers. The main aim of KVK is to develop entrepreneurship amongst the
rural people especially the farmers, farm-women rural youth and the
entrepreneurs in different areas of agriculture, dairying, fisheries, bee-keeping
and home science for enhancing productivity, increasing income and
employment for the welfare of human beings. KVK, Kapurthala is working for
the welfare and sustaining livelihood of the poor for last 17 year. This KVK
conducts various need-based and skill-oriented training programmes for
different target groups to enhance production in their mixed farming system of
crop and dairy husbandry. Dairy farming which has immense potential for
increasing income and employment in the rural areas and thus, generating
livelihood for poor is backbone of poor in the district. KVK, Kapurthala has
developed infrastructure to organise skill oriented training programmes through
"Learning by Doing". After training, follow up extension programmes are
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undertaken. After attending various training programmes in the area of

scientific dairy farming, what change has been brought out by the dairy farmers
in dairy occupation was not studied so far. How farmers in various villages of the
district have benefited from the vocational training provided by the Krishi
Vigyan Kendra ? This question needs to be answered. Although impact in terms
of gain in knowledge was usually studied by the researcher but in current study
attempt has been made to know change in management practices with
application of gained knowledge and change in income of dairy trainees has been
studied. In the present study survey of trainees was conducted with following
objectives :

1. To know change in knowledge of trainees.

2. To know change in dairy management practices.

3. To know economic benefits gained by trainees.

Materials and Methods :

Sample Selection : In the present paper an attempt has been made to analyse the
various training courses organized by the KVK, Kapurthala on dairy farming.
This in depth survey of respondent was conducted during the month of
October,2009. The trainees who acquired specialized vocational training on dairy
farming during the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 were interviewed in
order to assess the impact of training courses organized by the KVK Kapurthala.
A total of 179 dairy farmers were imparted vocational training of 10 to 15 days
duration during these years. Out of these, 60 ex-trainees were interviewed for the
study purpose.

Method of data Collection : The method used was face to face interviews with the
ex trainees. The semi-structured interview schedule was developed to know
change in number of trainees having knowledge about different aspect of dairy
farming before and after the training. Similarly, change in type, breed and
number of animals before and after training were also studied. To assess the gain
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in knowledge, knowledge score of the trainees during pre test were compared
with their current knowledge scores.

Whether gained knowledge was applied at farmers’ field or not to know

that, change in management practice by the trainees before and after the training
were studied by using semi structured interview schedule as well as the practices
at the farmer’s field were also observed by the surveyor.

Similarly, change in number, type and breed along with economic benefits
gained by training as a result of due to decrease in management cost and increase
milk production were also calculated on prevalent cost basis.

The data thus obtained was analysed by using frequencies and percentages
to make generalizations about the impact of training programmes.

Results and Discussion

After imparting vocational trainings in the area of scientific dairy farming,

a visible impact have been observed in the district Kapurthala. A large number
of dairy farmers in various villages of Kapurthala district have been enormously
benefited by attending these training programmes. It was found in recently
conducted surveys in the district Kapurthala that a large number of dairy
farmers have improved the quality of animals, some of the dairy cattle yielded up
to 30 litres of milk per day. In a study conducted by the KVK, Kapurthala in
various villages of the Kapurthala indicated that the increase in knowledge level
leading to better management practices has resulted in improved socio economic
status of rural poor. The detail of results has been discussed under following
heads.

Effect on herd size and type of animals

It was recorded that before acquiring training in dairy farming, the

average herd size available with the trainees was 7.68 animals per farmer which
was increased to 9.21 animals per farmers after training. This showed that all the
trainees were convinced with the scope and economics of livestock and were also
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convinced that profitable herd size is of 10 animals. As a result of which they

purchased some good animals to make this enterprise more profitable. It was
also noticed that some farmers sold their buffaloes and purchased lactating cows
and thus the average no. of buffaloes with the farmers decreased from 4.64 to
4.36. On the other hand no. of cows kept by the trainees increased from 4.38 to
6.38. At the same time there was a sharp increase in the no. of crossbred animals
kept with the farmer and the value increased from 4.54 to 7.27 animals per
farmer. This change shows that farmers were convinced that good quality
animals have major role in increasing milk production.

Table 1 : Change in number, type and breeds of animals

Sr. Indicator % Change

No. Before After

1. Average no. of Animals 7.68 9.21

2. Average no. of Buffalo 4.64 4.36
3. Average no. of Cows 4.38 6.38
4. Average no. of crossbred 4.54 7.27
animals

The data thus made it evident that the vocational training imparted at the KVK
level won the confidence of trainees who made some alterations in the number
and type of animals available within their dairy farms (Table 1)

Effect on knowledge level

The data presented in table 2 clearly envisaged that there was considerable
difference in knowledge of trainees during pre test and in current knowledge
scores. Percentage of trainees having knowledge about breed characteristics
increased by three times and average knowledge score of the trainees also
increased from 4.44 to 6.32. Current average knowledge score of trainees in area
feed management was 6.39 while earlier it was 3.64 only. Number of trainees
having knowledge about feed preparation was only 6.67 per cent while during
current survey 100.00 per cent of the surveyed trainees had knowledge about
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feed preparation technique. Besides, dairy production technologies, trainees were

interviewed about the loan facilities and in this aspect the number of trainees
having knowledge about this aspect increased by about 22.00 per cent.
Knowledge about mastitis, which is very prevalent in dairy animals, was also
studied. Data elucidated that number of farmers having knowledge about cause
of mastitis increased from 5.00 per cent to 83.33 per cent with average knowledge
score of 5.87. While earlier, none of the trainees was aware about the prevention
and control of this dreaded disease, after training 86.67 per cent of the trainees
had knowledge about prevention and control of mastitis. Similarly, knowledge
level as well as number of trainees having knowledge about breed characteristics,
cause of diseases and their prevention, silage making etc. increased significantly.

Table 2 : Impact of Vocational Training in Dairy on knowledge of

Trainees
Sl. Knowledge Before Training After Training
No. Indicator
% age of Average % age of Average
trainees knowled trainees Knowledg
having ge score having e score
knowledge (Pre test) knowledge (Current
about about score)
different different
aspect of aspect of
dairy dairy
1. Breed 25.00 4.44 75.00 6.32
Characteristics
2. Feed Preparation 6.67 3.64 100.00 6.39
3. Cause of Repeat 0.00 1.22 50.00 6.62
Breeding
4. Prevention and 0.00 1.19 50.00 5.35
Control of RB
5. Cause of Mastitis 5.00 1.26 83.33 5.87
6. Prevention and 0.00 1.13 86.67 6.54
control of Mastitis
7. Loan Facilities 18.33 3.47 40.00 4.06
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8. Silage Making 8.33 2.98 40.00 4.13

Effect on dairy management practices

The main purpose of imparting vocational trainings on KVKs campus is to

impart practical skill so that after acquiring training the farmers can make
changes in their routine working at their dairy farms. Hence, all trainees were
interviewed through interview schedule and data were presented in table 3.

It was noticed that 93.33 % of trainees never formulated feed at their

farms before training but after training 56.67 % farmers started making
compound cattle feed at domestic level, regularly. Similarly trainees were also
informed and made aware about the role of minerals and vitamins in the daily
feeding schedule of animals and the data showed that 81.67 % trainees were not
using mineral mixture before training. Only 5.00 per cent of the trainees were
using mineral mixture regularly but after words this percentage increased by
more than seven times to 38.33 % of trainees made use of mineral mixture
regularly without failure, whereas 6.67 % used sometimes. Hence, this single
factor of improved and balanced feed resulted in loss attack of diseases as a
result of which the cost of disease management reduced from Rs. 1662/-
animal/year to Rs. 954/- animals/year. The role of balanced feed and fodder
feeding in successful dairy farming has been well established. Similarly, there
was still a large number of dairy farmers who were reluctant to prepare feed at
home and preferred to buy readymade cattle feed from the market. A newer
concept about feeding of UMMB licks to lactating. Cows were demonstrated. As
a result of which 36.67 % of trainees did not like it or used it, 48.33 per cent used
sometimes and only 15.00 started using it regularly. The adoption level was
found to be low due to fact that before attending training programme at KVK,
none of the trainees was aware about the concept of UMMB feeding. Frequent
availability of UMMB was major reason for non low adoption of this technology.
Secondly, since it contains urea therefore some of the farmers became hesitant to
feed it to their animals with the perception that fertilizer grade urea is a poison.
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Table 3 : Change in Management Practices after Training

Sl. Indicator Before Training (%) After Training (%)

No.
Never Some Alway Never Some Always
Times s Times
1. Feed Management
Feed 93.33 0.00 6.67 36.67 6.67 56.67
Preparation
Use of MM 81.67 13.33 5.00 0.00 61.67 38.33
Use of UMMB 100.0 0.00 0.00 36.67 48.33 15.00
0
Silage 100.0 0.00 0.00 100.0 0.00 0.00
0 0
2. Disease Management
Vaccination 10.00 15.00 75.00 0.00 1.68 98.33

In order to make dairy farming economical and more profitable, scientists

claim that silage feeding is inevitable during lean periods. This topic was taught
and demonstrated in detail during the training programmes but on reviewing, it
was found that no farmer made silage and fed to their animals. Under Punjab
conditions where scarcity of labour is becoming a hindrance in carrying out field
and farm activities, may probably be the one reason that farmers themselves did
not take initiative. At the same time, they were of the opinion that there is no
increase in milk production on silage feeding as compared to green fodder
feeding. Hence, they did not adopt this technology of silage feeding.

As far as vaccination of animals was concerned it was found that

considerable awareness was there among dairy farmers and 75.00 % farmers
were getting their animals vaccinated regularly but as per recommendations
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100% small as well as large animals should be got vaccinated. Therefore, it was
emphasized loudly in the entire training course. On reviewing it was found that
now 98.33 % trainees were getting their animals vaccinated regularly. Thus,
there was good impact of the awareness as well as training imparted by KVK,
Kapurthala during the last 2 years.

Effect of training programme on change in income from dairy

The only criterion for adopting any technology is its economic viability.
Thus, it was planned to seed the impact on change in income of dairy farmers.
From the data presented in table 4 it was evident that there was a considerable
reduction in the cost of disease management. Farmer saved almost Rs. 700 per
animal per year on disease management. At the sometime there was an increase
in the cost of feed management probably due to the reason that when a farmers
wants to prepare cattle feed at domestic level at smaller scale and get the feed
ingredients in small quantity he spent more money as the material is procured at
retail prices and not on

Table 4 : Change in Cost of disease management, Feed Management

and Income
Parameter Before After

Cost of disease Management 1662.5 954.28

(Av. Cost /Animal/Year in Rs)
Feed Management (Av. 20033.33 21566.27
Cost /Animal/Year in Rs)
Income (Av. Cost 10982.58 13590.4
/Animal/Year in Rs)

whole sale price. This cost of locally made feed is on higher side. However, the
response of homemade feed was so good that there was overall increase in milk
production from 6.76 litres to 6.93 litres increase to the tune 2.51%. Average
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milk production per farmer increased from 30.09 litres to 37.82 litres an increase
of 25.69 per cent.

In fact the increase in milk production/animal was found to be highest

during summester (Table 5) i.e. 21.18%. The increase milk production resulted
in increase income and therefore increased average income/animal from Rs.
10982/- to Rs.

Table 5 : Increase in milk production after vocational training

Sl. Parameter Change % change

No.
Before After

1. Average no. of milch animals 4.45 5.45 22.47

2. Average milk production per 24.82 37.41 50.73
farmer per day in summer
3. Average milk production per 36.45 46.00 26.20
farmer per day in winter
4. Average milk production per 30.09 37.82 25.69
farmer per day during year
5. Average milk production in 5.57 6.75 21.18
summer/animal/day
6. Average milk production in 8.18 8.43 3.06
winter/animal/day
7. Average milk 6.76 6.93 2.51
production/animal/day

13590/-. It was thus inferred that farmers must acquire trainings before taking
any entrepreneur in order to increase their income as well as net profit.

Conclusion

Based on the analysed data it was found that after attending the various
training programmes there was gain in knowledge and skill of the beneficiaries.
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After, adoption of the newer technologies learnt by the entrepreneurs they

experienced significant increase in income. It is recommended that various KVK
should plan and organise need based vocational training programmes for
entrepreneurship development so that the rural people are benefited. Specialized
dairy trainings will help in achieving the sustainable production and in turn will
increase the income and employment in the rural areas. Thus, the socio-economic
status of dairy farmers could further be improved by vocational trainings in
dairy farming which can well supplement the agriculture in the current crisis
situation of natural resource degradation.