Chapter 16 - Agricultural extension policies for livestock development—lessons from the poultry industry in India

Abstract

This chapter analyzed the extension policies and advisory services for India’s livestock sector development. The livestock sector is both expanding and adapting qualitatively to emerging socio-economic, environmental, and technological forces with direct implications for extension service delivery. In order to be successful like commercial poultry, what are required for livestock sector are efficient and effective extension services, input support for production, veterinary clinical care, institutional shift from livestock extension to livestock entrepreneurship, and market linkages on par with commercial poultry sector. The other interventions discussed include: private or public–private partnerships, effective use of different subsystems by adopting a farming systems approach to suite low external input production systems, more adaptive research through trails and demonstrations, effective collaborations between agencies involved in livestock development, adequate policy support for all livestock species with regional livestock development priorities, and building capacities of livestock extension functionaries to handle emerging challenges.