Effect of Urea-molasses Multinutrient Block Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Rural Buffalo Farms

Abstract

Background: Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) have an immense importance in rural economy by virtue of their high production potential as triple purpose animal. Application of scientific technologies can further lead to significant productivity enhancement in buffaloes. Hence, the study was aimed to investigate adoption and effect of urea-molasses multinutrient block (UMMB) supplementation on buffalo productivity in rural areas of Punjab, India. Methods: An expost-facto research design was employed to collect data from selected buffalo farmers (N-501) through personal interview by using pretested research instrument. Based on the response, the buffalo farms were categorized as technology adopter farms (TAF) and non-adopter farms (TNAF). The effect of UMMB supplementation on productivity was evaluated by considering various productive and reproductive parameters of buffaloes. Both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were employed to analyse the data by using SPSS software. Result: The results indicated that the buffalo farms (36.93%; 185/501) following an additional supplementation with UMMB had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher average daily milk yield per animal and lowered values of all reproductive parameters. This has proved the viability of UMMB technology at buffalo farms in study area. The study revealed that the technology plays valuable role in buffalo productivity enhancement, hence should be recommended to the government and propagated through vigorous activities at grass-root level to improve adoption.