Control of bovine tuberculosis transmission to humans in rural India: perspectives and implications of livestock community resource persons

The increasing demand for milk in India has driven dairy intensification, exposing farmers to the risk of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) transmission. Public livestock sector organisations, mandated to control bTB alongside others, are constrained by limited resources leading to the deployment of community resource persons. However, while the impact of community resource persons on technology transfer is well documented, their perspective on bTB and its implications remains underexplored. A cross-sectional survey of 149 community resource persons was conducted in Tamil Nadu, India, using a questionnaire. Results revealed that community resource persons had poor knowledge (2.20 per cent) of bTB, negative perceptions of control methods, and poor adoption among farmers. The social strata of community resource persons significantly influenced their perception (β = 0.383, p < 0.01), while education and extension contact positively influenced adoption of practices. Tailored capacity-building programs for community resource persons from lower social strata and the establishment of model farms by educated community resource persons are recommended to promote awareness and control of bTB.