Vol. 9, Special Issue 4, Part D (2024)

Author(s): K Devaki, P Mathialagan, P Kumaravel and SMK Karthickeyan

Abstract: Traditional dairy farming practices can vary significantly depending on the region and culture. Hence an attempt was made to document the prevailing dairy farming traditional practices prevailing among dairy farmers in the areas where cattle population is high. Tirunelveli, Namakkal, Vellore and Tiruppur districts of Tamil Nadu State were selected for the study based on the highest livestock population. A sample of 240 farmers were interviewed through structured interview schedule to document the traditional practices prevailing among the dairy farmers. Majority (67.92 percent) of the respondents prefer natural service to their dairy cows than artificial insemination. About 16.25 percent of the traditional farmers clean the cattle shed once in a week and plastering it with cow dung on Fridays. In conclusion, analyzing traditional dairy farming practices offers a way to honor and utilize historical knowledge while addressing contemporary challenges. It helps bridge past and present practices, potentially leading to more sustainable, economically viable, and culturally rich dairy farming systems.