Participation of Farm Women in Dairy Management Practices in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh in India

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to study the participation of farm women in dairy management practices in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh .A total of 225 farm women were selected based on their land holding capacity. The study revealed that women from small farmer category had more participation in taking animals for pregnancy diagnosis (81.33%) and post calving care (77.33%).Women under landless category were more involved in regularly taking animals for grazing (45.33%), green fodder collection and feeding (68%) and feeding animals with concentrates (88%).Feeding of animals with dry fodder regularly was more in small women dairy farmer category (89.33%) and landless (86.66%) than that in medium (56%) farm women category. Cleaning of animal sheds regularly was high in landless (76%) and small (69.33%) farm women than in medium (44%) farm women. Majority of women under landless category were regularly using disinfectants for cleaning of animal sheds (49.33%).Regular involvement in disposing of dung and composting of dung is high in women under landless (69.33%) and small (65.33%) farm women categories. Feeding of Colostrum to the calves regularly is high in small (86.66%) farmwomen category and cleaning of calf after birth is high in landless (84%) women category. Women in landless (77.33%) and small (74.6%) farmer categories are regularly washing the animals before milking. It was observed that 12% of women under medium farmer category and 8% under small farmer category are engaging labour for milking of animals. Women under small (76%) and landless (73.33%) farmer category were regularly taking care of sick animals. Sale of milk regularly through cooperatives was observed to be high in landless (85.33%) and small (90.66%) farm women categories. More number of women under landless (21.33%) were regularly participating in insurance of animals than small (6.66%) and medium (10.66%) farm women categories. More number of medium (9.33%) women dairy farmers were regularly involved in purchase of animals compared to landless (5.33%) and small (1.33%) farm women.

Livestock Holding and Time Spent by Farm Women in Dairying Activities in Andhra Pradesh

“…Rural women often manage complex households and pursue multiple livelihood strategies. Despite the fact women in India do most of the work in animal husbandry yet their contribution has largely been ignored and inadequately acknowledged [2]. Hence there is a need to document their contribution to dairying.…”