Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Channappagouda Biradar, GRK Sharma, KC Veeranna and Maheboob Ali

Abstract:
This study was undertaken with the main objective to study the socio-economic profile of small ruminant farmers in Karnataka. The study was conducted in the state of Karnataka by following the exploratory and ex post facto research designs A total of 240 farmers (60 farmers from 6 villages belonging to 4 districts i.e., one district with highest small ruminants selected from each revenue division of the state), were selected purposively in the state were used for data collection through structured schedules and questionnaires developed for the present study. The data was tabulated and analyzed by using simple statistics. Majority of small ruminant farmers in the study area were middle aged, male, illiterate, professed agriculture as their main occupation and small ruminant farming as their sub occupation. With regard to ICT awareness nearly all were aware of mobile, television as well as YouTube and WhatsApp applications indicating the scope for ICT based extension interventions. However, the variation between the divisions was noticed with respect age group, farming experience, land holding, social participation and information possession might be due to regional diversity, differential access to education, changed priorities and non-uniform distribution of extension institutes as well as human resources. This warrants the formulation of policies and programmes based on local needs and aspirations.