SUMMARY

SUMMARY

As the swami Vivekananda says, “No bird can fly with one wing”. So, no one nation can progress without the progress of women in that nation. The tribal women always have big role in all forms tribal society. Thus their presence/ participation in decision making, policy making in upliftment, restructuring and sustainable socio-economic development of tribal society is highly appreciable and continuously requiring. Dairy development in the tribal area of our country has potential to uplift the tribal poor and to get them in main stream of our national civil society by developing/ offering the large employment opportunities. The decision making opportunity in household and large scale dairy offered household welfare through income generation and rise in self esteem with access to credit.

Thus, to make successful dairy extension polices and programmes for sustainable development in tribal region, it is necessarily required to study the socio economic profile, time utilization pattern, decision making and the constraints faced by tribal women towards improved dairy management practices. And hence this study was under taken to understand the actual situation of tribal women of Amravati district in dairy enterprise. The objectives of study are as follows:

5.1  To study the socio–economic profile of tribal women in dairy enterprise.

5.2   To study the time utilization pattern of tribal women in dairy enterprise.

5.3   To assess the extent of decision making of tribal women in dairy enterprise.

5.4   To study the relationship between socio–economic profile and decision   

  making towards dairy enterprise by tribal women.

5.5   To find out the constraints and suggestions about improved dairy 

  management practices of tribal women.

The study was carried out in the randomly selected fifteen villages of Dharni, Chikhaldara and Achalpur tahsils of Amravati district. The data was collected from 150 respondents. It is seen that the respondents should have at least two cattle or buffaloes. Ten cattle owners were selected randomly from each of the selected villages. The data was collected with the help of structured interview schedule. After collection of data, all the respondents were divided on the basis of mean and standard deviation into three categories i.e. low, medium and high. The relationship between dependent variable i.e. decision making towards and the independent variables i.e. age, education, family size, herd size, land holding, daily milk production, daily milk sale, annual income, knowledge, experience in dairy enterprise, time utilization pattern of tribal women in dairy enterprise, marketing channel choice, utilization of information sources, training needs, information needs were tested with the help of coefficient correlation. The constraints faced by tribal women in decision making towards improved dairy management practices were also studied. The important findings of the study have been summarized as follows.

Important findings of the study

5.1.1 Socio–economic profile of tribal women in dairy enterprise:

Majority of the respondents (75.33%) belonged to the middle age category, most of them were illiterate (42.66%), (62%) had medium size family, (70%) had medium herd size, (38.33%) belonged to small category of land holding, (65.33%) had medium category of daily milk production, (74.66%) had medium category of daily milk sale, (80.67%) were belong to medium category of annual income, (81.33%) had belonged to medium category for experience in dairy enterprise, 38.66 per cent of respondents lived in nuclear families and 61.33 per cent lived in joint families.

5.1.2 Information sources utilization:

Study shows that most of the respondents (82%) belonged to medium category for information sources utilization. While 12.66 and 5.3% per cent belonged to high and low category, respectively, for information sources utilization.

5.1.3 Knowledge level of tribal women about improved dairy management

         practices:

Knowledge levels of most of the respondents (78%) were categorized in medium category. While 11.34 and 10.66 per cent of respondents in low and high category, respectively.

5.1.3.1 Knowledge level of tribal women about breeding practices

The majority of respondents (68.15 %) had partial knowledge about the breeding practices. Results shows only 5.22 percents had full knowledge where 26.56 percents had no knowledge about the breeding practices towards improved dairy management practices. Majority of 66.67 percents of respondents shows partial knowledge about the ratio of male: female animal to be kept in their herd. For type of services whether natural service or artificial insemination to be given to the animals which shows heat sign most of the (72 %) of respondents had partial knowledge. When talk about the right time to deliver natural service or artificial insemination majority of respondents (64.67 %) had partial knowledge and only 2 per cent shows full knowledge about it, this might be due the absence of scientific knowledge among the respondents about the signs of heat in the animal. The other breeding practices like breed of milch animal to be purchased to get more milk production, selection of breeding bull for getting good progeny and Age of service in heifers majority of respondents (75.34 %, 52 % and 78.67%) respectively had partial level of knowledge.

5.1.3.2 Knowledge level of tribal women about fodder production practices

Majority 45.23 per cent of respondents had partial knowledge, followed by 38 and 16.77 per cent had full and no knowledge, respectively about the fodder production practices. In detail about fodder production practices 43.33 per cent of tribal women show partial knowledge for silage making. Similarly for application of fertilizers in forage crop to get more yield 54.67 per cent had partial knowledge level. For the seed treatment and use of hybrid seed for forage cultivation fifty and below fifty percentages of respondents had partial knowledge. Whereas above 35 percent had full knowledge for these practices. About fodder and forage variety to be cultivated 67.33 per cent of respondents had partial knowledge but about the harvesting of forage crop above (75 %) of respondents had full knowledge. Observations that about the different feeding practices to be followed for feeding the non-descript tribal livestock 60 per cent of them had full knowledge.

5.1.3.3 Knowledge level of tribal women about feeding practices

Above fifty percentage of respondent had partial knowledge about the feeding practices while 38.13 per cent had full knowledge. For feeding the balance diet to their heifers & calves 71.33 per cent of respondents had partial knowledge level. About the colostrum feeding for new born calves and the use of mineral bricks or 2% mineral powder in feed below and above (40%) of respondents had partial knowledge, respectively. The 48 per cent of respondents had partial knowledge for feeding extra ration to the advance pregnant animals and above (61%) show partial knowledge level for the type of concentrate to be given to animals.

5.1.3.4 Knowledge level of tribal women about health care practices

Majority of respondents (60.66 %) had partial knowledge level about the health care practices of dairy animals. This show 70.67 per cent had partial knowledge about the first aid treatment to dairy animals. Whether to treat animal either locally or by Veterinarian in diseased condition 86 per cent had partial knowledge. While study about the important practices of vaccination of animals against FMD, HS, BQ, RP, Anthrax etc. show 78.66 per cent were belong to partial knowledge level. About the disinfection of animal shed and deworming of calves & adult animals against ectoparasitic and endoparasitic infection, 54.66 and 88 per cent had partial knowledge whereas none of them had full knowledge about these practices. Majority (83.33 %) of respondents had full knowledge about protection of animals from extreme weather conditions.

5.1.3.5 Knowledge level of tribal women about management practices

Majority of respondents (51.17 %) were belong to full knowledge level about the management practices generally done in the dairy enterprises. While in detail study about these management practices shows above 74 per cent of had partial knowledge about the drying-off time of advanced pregnant dairy animals, followed by 48.67 per cent had partial knowledge about the proper method and age of castration of male calves.  While about the quantum of milk to be save for further milk product preparation 86.67 per cent of tribal women had full knowledge level. About improving housing conditions above 50 per cent of respondents had partial knowledge. Only 38.67 percent had full knowledge and 32.67 per cent of tribal women had partial knowledge about the maintaining farm records of daily expenditure & earnings. About the washing of udder before milking 80 per cent of respondent had full knowledge. Whereas about the frequency of milking and feeding in a day 64.66 and 76 per cent of respondents had full knowledge.

5.1.3.6 Knowledge level of tribal women about marketing practices

Above 52 per cent of respondents were belonging to partial knowledge level about the marketing practices in dairy enterprises. In such marketing practices like selection of milk marketing channels and selling & purchasing of dairy animals below and above 50 percent of tribal women had partial knowledge. Whereas about purchasing of dairy animals feed and selling of milk and milk product above 52 per cent again shows partial knowledge level.

5.1.3.7 Knowledge level of tribal women about other practices related to dairy

            enterprises

Majority of respondents (62.54 %) had no knowledge about other practices. Majority of respondents (60%) had no knowledge about insurance of animals. Most of the (58%) show no knowledge about their farm credit. About Insurance of animal, farm credit, new practices, idea, technologies (61.33), (70%) about government policies/ schemes for dairy enterprise and (63.33%) about S.H.G. (self help group)  and it’s working had no knowledge.

5.1.4 Training needs:

The present study shows that the 94 per cent of the respondents had been willing to undergo training for improved dairy management practices.

5.1.5 Marketing channels Choice:

Here, most of the respondents (i.e.50.66 per cent) belong to                  producer-consumer category for marketing channel choice. Where 20.66, 15.66 and 13.33 per cent belonged to producer-village trader/vender-consumer, producer-hotels/restaurants-consumer and producer-co-operative society hotels/ restaurants-consumer. And no respondents belong to producer-co-operative society-consumer category.

5.1.6 Information need:

Most of the respondents (70%) were categories under medium category of information needs. Whereas16.66 and 13.34 per cent were under low and high categories, respectively.

5.1.6.1 Information need about breeding practices

The  information needs about breeding practices the majority of respondents (52 %) prefer as important whereas 45.66 per cent preferred them as most important information needed. In detail about the breeding practices like ratio of male: female animals to be kept in their herd above 49 and 46 per cent of respondents preferred as important and most important need. Similarly towards other breeding practices such as type of services (N.S. or A.I.) to animal in heat, right time of N.S. or A.I. to animals in heat, breed of milch animal to be purchased, selection of breeding bull and age of service in heifers above 50 per cent preferred as important and above 45 per cent preferred as most important information needs.

5.1.6.2 Information need about fodder production practices

Majority of respondents (66 %) preferred important and 49 per cent preferred most important information need category about the fodder production practices. For silage making 71.33 per cent had preferred most important information need. Above 50 per cent preferred important category of information needs for practices of application of fertilizers in forage crops, seed treatment, use of hybrid seed and fodder and fodder variety for cultivation in field, respectively. Whereas 58.67 per cent preferred not important category for practice of harvesting of forage crops. About the information of different feeding practices whether about stall feeding, semi-stall feeding and range feeding most of the respondents (42.67%) and (52%) preferred as important and most important information needs, respectively.

5.1.6.3 Information need about feeding practices

Majority of respondents (62%) belong to important category of information needs about feeding practices whereas 25.33 per cent belong to most important category. 54% preferred important information for feeding of balance diet to their heifers & calves. About 72 per cent preferred as important information of colostrum feeding of calves while 77.33 per cent again preferred important category of information for use of mineral brick or 2 % mineral powder in feed. Above 50 per cent of respondents preferred as important information for feeding extra ration to the advance pregnant animals and types of concentrated to be given to dairy animals.

5.1.6.4 Information need about health care practices

Majority of respondents (74.12) under health care practices preferred most important category of information needs. In detailed about the health care practices above 90 per cent of respondents preferred most important information for first aid treatment and treatment of animal diseased either locally or by Vet. About other health care practices such as vaccination of animals against FMD, HS, BQ, RP, Anthrax etc. disinfection of animal shed, deworming of calves & adult animals for ecto - endo parasites above 85 per cent of respondents preferred as most important information. While information about protection of animal from extreme weather was not important to them.       

5.1.6.5 Information need about management practices

Most of the respondents (46.17%) belong to not important category of information needs about the management practices, followed by 29.58 and 24.25 per cent under important and most important information needs of management practices. But in detail in management practices 81.33 per cent of respondents preferred as most important information, while below and above 70 per cent of respondents preferred as important information for castration of animals and washing of udders before milking with clean water, respectively. 77.33 per cent show improving housing condition as not important information need whereas maintaining farm record of daily expenditure & earning had preferred as most important information need by 74 per cent of respondents. About frequency of milking and feeding in a day above 82 per cent had been categories in not important information needs.

5.1.6.6 Information need about marketing practices

Majority of the respondents (62.17 %) were belonging to most important category of information needs for marketing practices in dairy enterprises. Followed by 24.67 percent of respondents in important category. The information needs about the marketing practices such as selection of milk marketing channel, selling & purchasing of animal, purchasing of animal feed and selling of milk and milk product preferred as most important by more than 60 percent of respondents. 

5.1.6.7 Information need about other practices related to dairy enterprises

Majority of respondents (57.60%) preferred most important category of information needs for the other practices related to dairy enterprises such as insurance of animal, farm credit, new practices, idea, technologies, government policies/ schemes for dairy enterprise, S.H.G. and it’s working (self help group) etc. specifically for government policies/ schemes about dairy enterprise 73.33 per cent had preferred most important information.   

5.2 Time utilization pattern of tribal women in dairy enterprise

Most of the respondents (43.99%) spent time from 31 to 60 min/ day for the different improved dairy management practices under breeding, feeding, health care, management and marketing activities. Whereas 42.73 per cent spent 1 to 30 min/ day. And 13.33 per cent of respondents spent more than 60 min/day on above activities. For breeding practices 90 per cent of respondents spent 1 to 30 min/ day. Whereas 10 per cent spent 31 to 60 min/ day and 6.66 per cent spent more than 60 min/day. For feeding practices 60 per cent of respondents spent 30 to 60 min/ day. Whereas 20 per cent spent 1 to 30 min/ day and remaining 20 per cent spent more than 60 per cent on feeding practices. For health care practices 66.66 per cent of respondents spent 31 to 60 min/ day. Whereas 23.33 per cent spent 1 to 30 min/ day and remaining 10 per cent spent more than 60 min/ day. For management practices 56.66 per cent spent 31 to 60 min/ day. Whereas 26.66 per cent spent 1 to 30 min/ day and 16.66 per cent spent more than 60 min/ day. For marketing practices 53.66 per cent of respondents spent 1 to 30 min/day. Whereas 26.66 per cent spent 31 to 60 min/ day and 13.33 per cent spent more than 60 min/ day.

5.3 The extent of decision making of tribal women in dairy enterprise:

Most of the respondents (81.33%) were belonging to medium category; while 9.33 and 9.34 per cent of respondents were belong to low and high category. This shows the most of the respondents involve in decision making towards improved dairy management practices after consultation with other.

5.3.1 The extent of decision making of tribal women about breeding practices

Majority of respondents (88.67%) took decision after consultation with other and only 7.22 percent took independent decision regarding breeding practices. About ratio of male: female animal to be kept in herd 60.67 per cent took decision after consideration with other. Whereas for age of service in case of heifers 77.33 per cent had saying with other. For other breeding practices such as types of service (N.S or A.I.) to animal in heat, right time of N.S. or A.I. to animals in heat, breed of milch animal to be purchased and selection of breeding bull above 50 per cent had consider their decision after consultation with other family members mainly with husbands, as these practices were mainly done by male counterparts.

5.3.2 The extent of decision making of tribal women about fodder production

          practices

Majority of respondents (63.80%) about fodder production practices took decision after consideration with other whereas only 9.05 took independent decisions. It mainly due to reason that majority of fodder production practices predominantly done by males and women’s were supportive to them, thus collective decision were made about fodder production. About silage & hay making 47.33 per cent took decision after consideration with others. 58.66 per cent of respondents had followed same pattern for fertilizers application in forage crop. For seed treatment, use of hybrid seed and fodder & forage variety to be cultivated above 60 per cent had involve in decision making after consideration with other. About harvesting of forage crops & feeding practices to be utilized 70.67 and 84.67 per cent of respondents took their decision after consideration with other.

5.3.3 The extent of decision making of tribal women about feeding practices

Majority of respondents (70 %) took decision about feeding practices after consultation with other. It also observed that 57.33 per cent of respondents consult other while 40.66 took independent decision about colostrum feeding to calves. As these tribal women involve in feed making of 79.33 of them show they had saying with other while feeding of balance diet to their heifers and calves. Same decision making pattern was observed with above 72 per cent of respondents while feeding extra ration to the advance pregnant animals and the type of concentrate to be given to dairy animals. About use of mineral brick or 2% mineral mixture 66.66 per cent had saying after consultation with other.

5.3.4 The extent of decision making of tribal women about health care

          practices

Majority of respondents (59.11%) had considered after consultation with other in decision making towards health care practices of dairy animals. 63.33 per cent contribute in decision making with other members in treatment of animal. While more than 80 per cent of respondents consult with other family members for treatment of animal either locally or by Vet. and for Vaccination of animals against FMD, HS, BQ, RP, Anthrax etc. due reason that majority of them do not have full knowledge of vaccination in dairy animals and these decisions were mainly taken by male. Same decision making pattern had followed by more than 50 per cent of respondents in disinfection of animal sheds and deworming of calves & adult animals against ecto-endo parasitic infections, whereas 83.33 per cent of respondents took independent decision for protection of animal in extreme weather.

5.3.5 The extent of decision making of tribal women about management

          practices

Majority of respondents 47.33 took independent decision about the management practices in dairy, whereas 37.26 took decision after consultation with other. To decide drying-off time of advance pregnant animals 70.66 per cent of respondents had consulted with other. While majority of 60 per cent had not took decision of castration of male calves. 82.66 per cent of respondents took independent decision of quantum of milk to be saved for further milk product preparation. About washing udder before milking with clean water, frequency of milking in a day and frequency of feeding in a day 75.33, 63.33 and 48.66 had taken independent decisions, respectively.

5.3.6 The extent of decision making of tribal women about marketing practices

Majority of respondents (75%) had consult with other before decision making about marketing practices. For selection of marketing channels 73.33 per cent consult with other. As tribal women had less farm credit on their account thus majority of them (74.67%) had consulted with other while selling and purchasing of animals. Same pattern was observed in purchasing of animal feed with 78.67 percent of respondents. This also shown by 73.33 per cent of respondents as they had consult before selling of milk and milk product.

5.3.7 The extent of decision making of tribal women about other practices

          related to dairy enterprises

Majority of the respondents (69.87%) had considered in decision making towards other practices like insurance of animal, farm credit, applying new practices, idea, technologies, government policies/scheme for dairy enterprise, to participate in S.H.G etc. this picture observed in study area was mainly due to low knowledge level of respondents about these practices. About insurance of dairy animals majority (84.67 %) had no say in decision making While 21.33 per cent of respondents had took independent decision towards their farm credit. Above 70 per cents had no saying in applying new practices, ideas, technology etc. and taking advantages of government policies/ scheme for dairy enterprise. While to participated in self help group only 20 percent took independent decision.

5.4 Relationship between socio–economic profile and decision making      

      towards dairy enterprise by tribal women:

Variables such as age, land holding, annual income, experience in dairy farming etc. were positively significant at the 1% degree of freedom while daily milk production was positively significant at 5% degree of freedom. Whereas education and information needs were negatively significant other variables like family size, herd size, daily milk sale, utilization of information sources, utilization of marketing channels, training needs and participation of family member in dairy farming etc. were not show any significance with the decision making toward dairy enterprise by tribal women.

5.6 Constraints and suggestions about improved dairy management

       practices of tribal women:

The main constrains faced by respondents included lack of proper training for improved dairy management practices (94.66 %), lack of knowledge (86.66%), inadequate/ non availability of credit (83.33 %), high cost of animals and animal feed, (81.33 %), non-availability of green pasture land and green fodder and water scarcity problem in summer (76.66 %), non-remunerative price of milk and milk products (73.33 %), inadequate veterinary aid (64.66%), lack of transport facilities (57.33 %), non-availability of labour (51.33 %), physical fatigue and drudgery (39.33 %) and social norms and taboos (23.33 %) etc.