Understanding Livestock Technology Adoption and Farmer Decision-Making through Participatory Rural Appraisal: Evidence from an Adopted Village in Maharashtra, India
Abstract
The present exploratory and participatory study was purposively conducted in Shirol village of Udgir tehsil in Latur district of Maharashtra. The village was adopted by the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Udgir under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Scheme. This study explores the dynamics of livestock technology adoption among farmers in Shirol village, utilizing Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques. Recognizing the critical role of animal husbandry in rural Indian livelihoods, the research investigates how farmers make decisions regarding modern agricultural practices within a mixed-farming context. Using a whole-village participatory approach, primary data was gathered through PRA tools, specifically technology mapping, matrix ranking, and consequence diagram. The findings revealed that technologies are not simply adopted, but are discontinued, over-adopted, rejected, or reinvented as well based on practical field problems. Matrix ranking demonstrated that farmers prioritize simple, low-cost, and highly effective practices. Furthermore, farmers showed remarkable adaptability by reinventing tools such as creating homemade concentrate feeds and crafting low-cost poultry equipment to minimize daily expenses. While technologies like artificial insemination and vaccination ranked lower in overall farmer preference due to a heavy dependence on external veterinary services and specialized technicians. Ultimately, the integration of these livestock technologies has significantly enhanced animal health, milk yields, and overall socio-economic conditions in the region. However, realizing their full potential is hindered by high initial costs, limited awareness, and irregular technical support. The study concludes that strengthening field-level extension services and improving veterinary accessibility are vital steps toward promoting sustainable livestock development and maximizing technological benefits for rural communities.
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Introduction
In India more than 20.5 million people depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood, thereby making livestock a vital source of additional income (Jain et al., 2023). Despite having a vast bovine population of 302.79 million (20th Livestock Census, 2024), the per capita milk production remains one of the lowest globally. However, recent studies have shown that adoption of improved technologies has worked for increase in the production as well as productivity of livestock, generating marketable surplus of milk and other livestock produce. In India, most of the farming is mixed type of farming in which farmers keep milch animals along with goat keeping and poultry to supplement income from livestock production, so this makes decision-making more complex than other types of farming. The term 'Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)' is being used to describe approaches and methods growing to enable local people to share, enhance and analyze their knowledge of life and conditions, thereby, to plan, to act and reach development (McCracken et al., 1988). To study impact of adoption of various livestock technologies and farmers' decision-making patterns, participatory rural appraisal techniques were used in the present study.
Conclusion
The pattern of adoption, discontinuance, over-adoption, rejection, and reinvention of livestock technologies reflected farmers' practical experiences, resource availability, and socio-economic conditions. Technologies that were simple, economically beneficial, and supported by veterinary services were readily adopted, while those requiring higher investment, technical expertise, or intensive management were often discontinued or rejected. Farmers also demonstrated considerable adaptability by modifying and reinventing technologies using locally available resources to suit their needs. The matrix ranking indicates that farmers in the village prioritize livestock technologies that are low-cost, easily accessible, and capable of producing immediate improvements in milk yield. Practices directly related to feed and nutrition management, such as high yielding fodder cultivation and mineral mixture supplementation, were perceived as the most effective and practical technologies. The adoption of improved livestock technologies in Shirol village has enhanced animal productivity, livestock health, and farmers' socio-economic conditions. Dairy, goat, and poultry technologies have increased income opportunities, improved nutritional security, and generated rural employment.
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