Benefit to end users: appraisal of extending technology at farm fields from regions of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Tick infestation is a major problem affecting farm animals and the problem is acute in hilly regions. Livestock owners who owns small herd for their sustenance, food security find it difficult to seek alternative options. Demanding physical work and lack of interface with institutions hinders their imagination thereby any new measures of control. The collaborative work of National Innovation Foundation-India and Dr G C Negi, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Palampur Himachal Pradesh resulted in sharing a model of exchanging technical know-how from research station/University system to farm field. The study had noticed that rate of infestation at predilection site was 10.90±6.84 ( ±α) number of ticks. The data were analyzed statistically using paired ‗t' test. The calculated value of t0.05 for 20 d.f was 6.89 ( at 24 hour); 5.78 ( at 48 hour) intervals was more than ‗t' table value (t0.05, 20=2.08) confirming significant efficacy of indigenous medication. It was found that herbal medication had shown 75 percent efficacy over tick infestation upon second day of administration. These in-situ herbal preparations which can be prepared at farmers field needs to be diffused for benefit of livestock owners. Sustaining environment friendly technology is paramount and is more imminent in Hilly regions. The research work demonstrated importance of leveraging animal husbandry department for technology demonstrations.

Improvising livestock service in hilly regions through indigenous wisdom towards control of tick infestation: Institutional relationships

“…Adoption of several technological activities did not head in desired direction due to limited attention to social, economic, and inherent policy issues [ 25 ]. The significance of sustaining eco-friendly technologies in hilly regions was articulated [ 26 ]. In situ conservation activities have to be promoted for enabling availability of medicinal plants [ 27 ].…”

Social engineering of societal knowledge in livestock science: Can we be more empathetic?

“…National Innovation Foundation (NIF), India tried different approaches in enhancing such scope of interface among creative communities and farming community. Technologies were scientifically validated with help of farmers in regions - such as Amarapur (Gandhinagar district, Gujarat), Bir (Himachal Pradesh) [ 46 ], Hadida (Amreli district, Gujarat) [ 11 ], Pondicherry (Pondicherry UT), Vanki (Dang district, Gujarat) [ 12 ], and Yerangoan (Maharashtra) [ 42 ] - State Veterinary Universities, agricultural universities had provided their valuable support in validating claims of outstanding knowledge holders toward treatment of infectious ailments and metabolic disorders [ 47 ]. This indigenous knowledge system can complement poultry farming system [ 48 ].…”

“…Sharing successful findings enabled collaborative effort with Dr. GC Negi, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. University felt the importance of such sustainable practices in hilly areas and leveraged demonstration of technical-knowhow in different regions of Bhawarna, Bir in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh [ 46 ]. The technology transfer model had showcased evidence where farmer’s problem was addressed through their own knowledge system with help of interface among research and line departments.…”

“…The approach reiterates the principle that mainstreaming this knowledge system requires favorable atmosphere which had focused on human relationship [ 60 ]. Demonstrations of these technical know-how were held across the country, viz ., Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra [ 46 , 61 , 62 ].…”