Unveiling Socio-economic Dynamics of Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Drought-prone Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan, India

The research work focused on the socio-personal, socio-economic, and extension participation traits of small-scale dairy farmers in the drought-affected Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. A survey research design was used, and primary data were gathered from 210 dairy farmers selected by multi-stage sampling from all seven blocks of the district. Personal interviews were conducted using a semi-structured pre-tested format. The results indicated that the majority of the farmers were in the middle-aged group, 45.71 per cent, and educational levels were generally low, with only 3.80 per cent having graduate-level education or above. The maximum number of respondents were residing in nuclear families, 57.15 per cent, and farming was a mixed occupation for 59.04 per cent of the respondents, which indicates that they had diversified livelihood sources. Socio-economic parameters showed that 40.49 per cent of the farmers were in the medium-income group, and semi-medium landholdings (2-4 ha) were predominant, 41.90 per cent. Milk production was mostly at the medium level, 50.48 per cent, indicating that they were rearing indigenous breeds and had not adopted improved practices to the fullest. Social participation was low for 39.53 per cent of the respondents, and extension participation was also low, with 42.37 per cent of the respondents reporting low participation. The findings of the study revealed that, despite dairy farming being an important livelihood support system in drought-affected areas, lack of extension contact and poor institutional participation had acted as constraints in adopting technology and increasing productivity.