Skill Development Programs Concerning Backyard Poultry Farming in Arid Regions of Rajasthan, India

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of skill development training programs on the promotion of backyard poultry farming practices in the arid regions of Rajasthan. Data were collected from 120 respondents through a meticulously designed interview schedule and questionnaire. The findings revealed a significant positive impact on various aspects of poultry farming. Notably, 99% of respondents demonstrated an uptake in the timely treatment of sick birds, while 98% adopted practices such as feed formulation at the household level, culling and selection, use of antibiotics, rearing of quality birds, and consulting veterinary doctors. Additionally, 97% of respondents incorporated feed supplements into their practices, and a similar percentage (97%) ensured appropriate feed provision based on the age of the birds. These results underscore the effectiveness of skill development training programs in enhancing the adoption of best practices in backyard poultry farming within the challenging arid environment of Rajasthan. The analysis of the collected data further revealed a consistent adoption index across various aspects of backyard poultry farming practices. Specifically, a noteworthy adoption rate of 92% was observed for the segregation of diseased birds, record-keeping, and de-beaking. However, a slightly lower adoption rate of 88% was noted for feed supplement usage. The data indicated that the maximum gain in adoption was observed in the practice of consulting veterinary doctors, with an impressive rate of 85%. Following closely were the practices of segregating diseased birds (84%), feed formulation at the household level, and rearing of quality birds (82%). Additionally, high adoption rates were observed for record-keeping (81%) and feed supplement use (79%). Post-mortem examinations conducted by veterinary doctors on deceased birds also showed a substantial adoption rate of 77%. It is noteworthy that while the majority of practices demonstrated significant gains, culling exhibited a comparatively lower adoption rate of 53%. This suggests that there may be factors influencing the reluctance or challenges associated with the implementation of culling practices among the respondents. Overall, the findings underscore the positive impact of the training programs on the farmers' knowledge enhancement and their familiarity with advanced poultry farming technologies. The consistent adoption across multiple practices highlights the effectiveness of the training in empowering farmers to incorporate improved techniques into their backyard poultry farming endeavors.