Dairy farmers knowledge on climate variability in the northern dry zone of Karnataka

Abstract

This paper deals with measuring the extent of knowledge of the dairy farmers towards climate variability in purposively selected area i.e. northern dry zone of Karnataka. In order to measure the knowledge towards climate variability a standardized test was developed for the present study, the test includes different statement which constitutes general aspects of climate variability and its effect on livestock (special emphasis has given on dairying aspects). The test was employed on 120 dairy farmers spread over two purposively selected districts of northern dry zone are of Karnataka. Through the knowledge test the majority of the respondents’ falls under low and medium level of knowledge i.e. 42.50 percent and 35.83 percent respectively. Only 21.67 percent of the respondents possess a high level of knowledge. It may be due to lack of awareness about climate variability aspects and its effects livestock so knowledge of farmers’ about climate variability. so knowledge of farmers about climate changes need to be managed with using effective extension approaches like campaigns, handout distribution, mass media as well as field demonstrations and a large scale climate change literacy programmes should be developed to prepare farmers, in which farmers can participate, learn and adapt effective coping strategies to increase their farm yield as well as their livelihood.

This paper deals with measuring the extent ofknowledge of the dairy farmers towards climate variability inpurposively selected area i.e. northern dry zone of Karnataka. Inorder to measure the knowledge towards climate variability astandardized test was developed for the present study, the testincludes different statement which constitutes general aspectsof climate variability and its effect on livestock (special emphasishas been given on dairying aspects). The test was employed on120 dairy farmers spread over two purposively selected districtsof northern dry zone area of Karnataka. Through the knowledgetest the majority of the respondents’ falls under low and mediumlevel of knowledge i.e. 42.50 percent and 35.83 percentrespectively. Only 21.67 percent of the respondents possess ahigh level of knowledge. It may be due to lack of awarenessabout climate variability aspects and its effects livestock soknowledge of farmers’ about climate variability. So knowledge offarmers about climate change need to be managed with usingeffective extension approaches like campaigns, handoutdistribution, mass media as well as field demonstrations and alarge scale climate change literacy programmes should bedeveloped to prepare farmers, in which farmers can participate,learn and adapt effective coping strategies to increase their farmyield as well as their livelihood.