Indian Journal of Dairy Science

Based on cross section data of 225 adopters of cross breeding technology of Punjab, Karnataka and West Bengal, the present study was undertaken to identify the constraints in adoption of crossbreeding technology. Among breeding and feeding constraints, majority of the adopters of CBT in Punjab reported, lack of progeny tested bulls, low fat content in crossbred cow milk, high mortality in crossbred male calves, and repeat breeding as serious constraints. In Karnataka, low fat content in crossbred cow milk was the only serious constraints reported by majority of the adopters of CBT. In West Bengal all the constraints except for irregular P.D. and lack of progeny tested bulls were reported as serious constraints. Almost all the economic constraints in the three states were reported as serious except for lack of land for fodder production and lack of availability of dry fodder in Punjab and lack of milk marketing facilities and lack of availability of dry fodder in Karnataka. Among social constraints, inability to take animals to A.I. centre was the only serious constraints in Punjab and West Bengal. However, in Karnataka most of the social constraints were reported as serious except for hostile attitude of affluent farmers towards weaker section and inability to take animals to A.I. centers. Among administrative and organizational constraints majority of the adopters of CBT in Punjab reported non-castration of scrub bulls, non availability of HYV seeds of different fodders, lack of basic amenities and allowances to field workers, absence of timely procurement and supply of critical inputs and absence of incentives as serious constraints. However, in Karnataka and West Bengal none of the administrative and organizational constraints were found as serious, except for non-availability of HYV seeds of fodders in West Bengal. The policy implications of these findings are that concerted efforts are required by the concerned Animal Husbandry Departments to overcome these constraints encountered by the adopters of CBT, so as to achieve the desired objectives of crossbreeding programme.