SCENARIO OF LIVESTOCK EXTENSION SYSTEM, ITS ORGANIZATION AND REGULATION

With the changing global scenario and changing pattern of the agriculture extension professionals need to brace up with the new challanges. Among agriculture and allied sectors livestock sector is facing new challenges in terms of the production, adaptation, stress and other factors. Present study was conducted in the two districts of the Jammu and Kashmi namely Srinagar and Ganderbal. The respondents of the study were middle level extension officers (Veterinarians) and the lower level extension functionaries (Para-Veterinarians). From each district 15 veterinarians and 15 Para-Veterinarians were chosen for the study that made a total of 60 respondents for the present study. Data was collected through an unstructured questionnaire from middle and low level livestock extension professionals. The educational qualification of the Veterinarians was found to be adequate while as of para-veterinarians was not impressive. Majority of the professionals were having extension contacts with state veterinary hospitals (98.33%), information flow through the animal husbandry department was found to be fare (48.33%), and information flow between the VAS centres and centre departments was found to be monthly by majority (65.00%). The basic amenities were found to be adequate (56.67%), with majority reported non-availability of computer, internet facilities, audio-visual aids etc. Majority (95.00%) of the extension professionals were satisfied with their job and level was high. Currently the scenario of the livestock extension departments and professionals is not much impressive. The current challenges in the livestock extension professionals can only be solved when there is better collaboration and coordination between the field, research labs and with other extension agencies.