Perceived Training Needs of Livestock Owners in Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Exploratory study was conducted to assess the perceived training needs of livestock owners in Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir. Multistage random sampling plan was followed for the selection of ultimate respondents. The data was collected from 120 livestock owners belonging to Marh, Akhnoor, Bhisnah and R.S. Pura blocks with the help of a structured interview schedule using personal interview technique. The findings of the study revealed that most of the farmers placed health-care at top at 1st place as the most needed area in training followed by breeding at 2nd place, feeding of animals at 3rd, general management at 4th marketing and finance at 5th and preparation and preservation of livestock products at last i.e. at 6th place. Most of the respondents (88.33%) perceived care of new born as most needed sub-area in general-management on 1st place with a total score of 346, while as weaning was perceived as least needed. Urea treatment of straw as most needed training area in sub-areas of feeding practices with a total score of 343, while time of feeding was perceived as least needed. Majority of the respondents perceived the identification of infertility problems as most needed sub-area in breeding on rank 1st with a total score of 340, while artificial insemination was perceived as least needed. Zoonotic diseases and their transmission were felt most needed at 1st place with a total score of 353, while first aid treatment was felt as least needed sub-area in health-care. Preparation and preservation of milk and milk products was perceived as most needed while preparation and preservation of meat and meat products was felt as least needed sub-area in the preparation and preservation of livestock products. Banking and insurance was perceived as most needed with a total score of 266 at 1st place while as purchase of livestock and inputs was felt as least needed in the sub-area of marketing and finance.