Impact of Agromet Advisory Services on Farmers’ Operational Decisions related to Dairy Farming in Thiruvananthapuram

Abstract

Climate factors has an impact on numerous aspects of productivity, reproduction, health, and adaptation in dairy animals. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of the agromet advisory services on farmers' decision making for different farm operations related to dairy farming. The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala state. Two blocks were selected randomly from the district and from each block two experimental and two control villages selected after verifying that villages were not receiving any kind of agromet advisory services from Agromet Field Unit (AMFU) in Thiruvananthapuram. From each experimental village 15 beneficiary farmers were selected and provided with treatment i.e. Agromet Advisory Bulletins were disseminated twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) regularly for 6 months through Whatsapp group and from each control village 15 non-beneficiary farmers were selected. To assess the impact Difference in difference design and regression models were used. The findings revealed that most of the agromet advices were only relevant for crop farmers and the advices relevant for dairy farmers were included less frequently. Hence advisory services pertinent to dairy farmers must be appropriately included in the agromet advisory services disseminated from AMFUs.