Vol. 9, Special Issue 5, Part A (2024)

Author(s): Insha Mir, Parminder Singh and JS Bedi

Abstract: A total of 250 dairy farmers were randomly selected in Punjab during regional kisan melas conducted by the university. They were subjected to interview schedule regarding knowledge, attitude and practices being adopted to control aflatoxin in the dairy rations. Majority of the dairy farmers (56%) belonged to middle age group. (25.60%) of the dairy farmers had high school of education and (39.20%) had experience of more than 10 years in dairy farming. Only (37.20%) dairy farmers had any formal training. (53.20%) dairy farmers had medium herd strength and mostly comprised of buffaloes (66%). Majority (53.60%) of dairy farmers used mobile as a source of information and only (8.80%) still relied on radio. Overall dairy farmers (80.8%) had medium exposure of mass media. Fifty eight percent dairy farmers had not heard about of aflatoxin contamination in feed. Only (22.40%) and (16.0%) dairy farmers knew that aflatoxin can be transferred to animals and milk respectively. The overall knowledge score was found low by majority (62.60%) of the dairy farmers regarding aflatoxin contamination in feed, fodder and milk.