Enhancing Dairy Buffalo Profitability through Targeted Nutritional Intervention and Hybrid Extension Services: A Case Study of KVK-Adopted Villages in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Mahendra Prasad , Mritunjay Rajbhar , Raghvendra Pratap Rajbhar

Animal Nutrition, Dairy Economics, Extension Services, Mineral Supplementation, Buffalo Husbandry.

Livestock production, particularly dairy farming, is a cornerstone of the rural economy in Uttar Pradesh, India's leading milk-producing state. However, a significant gap persists between the genetic potential of high-yielding buffalo breeds and their on-farm productivity, largely due to suboptimal nutritional management. This study investigates the impact of a targeted nutritional intervention, disseminated through a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-led hybrid extension model, on the profitability of dairy buffalo farming in Farrukhabad district. The study was conducted over a three-year period (2021-2023) in KVK-adopted villages, employing an On-Farm Trial (OFT) with 45 lactating Murrah/Graded Murrah buffaloes annually. Three treatments were evaluated: T1 (Farmer's Practice - Control), T2 (T1 + Balanced Concentrate), and T3 (T2 + Area-Specific Mineral Mixture). Data on milk yield and input costs were systematically collected and analysed. Results indicated a statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in milk production with improved nutrition. The T3 group achieved an average daily milk yield of 7.6 kg/day, a 16.9% increase over the control group's 6.5 kg/day. Economic analysis revealed that the T3 regimen was the most profitable, yielding the highest net return and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.42, compared to 1.18 for the control. The success of the intervention was amplified by a hybrid extension strategy that combined traditional, trust-building methods like participatory field demonstrations with modern digital tools (WhatsApp groups and SMS advisories) for scalable, continuous engagement. The findings demonstrate that correcting subclinical mineral deficiencies through a low-cost, scientifically validated intervention can yield substantial economic benefits for smallholder dairy farmers. The study recommends the widespread adoption of this feeding practice and the scaling of the hybrid extension model to enhance dairy sector productivity and rural livelihoods across Uttar Pradesh.

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"Enhancing Dairy Buffalo Profitability through Targeted Nutritional Intervention and Hybrid Extension Services: A Case Study of KVK-Adopted Villages in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh", IJSDR - International Journal of Scientific Development and Research (www.IJSDR.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.10, Issue 9, page no.b260-b273, September-2025, Available :https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2509133.pdf

Volume 10 Issue 9, September-2025

Pages : b260-b273

Paper Reg. ID: IJSDR_304634

Published Paper Id: IJSDR2509133

Downloads: 00056

Research Area: Science All

Country: Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

Published Paper PDF: https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2509133

Published Paper URL: https://ijsdr.org/viewpaperforall?paper=IJSDR2509133

ISSN: 2455-2631 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.15 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016

An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.15 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator

Publisher: IJSDR(IJ Publication) Janvi Wave

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