Assessing Psychology of Dairy Farmers Toward Animal Welfare and Management in Haryana State, India: A Knowledge Investigation

The study employed a tailored questionnaire to assess the knowledge and attitudes of dairy farmers. Over a period of one and a half years, from March 2022 to August 2023, dairy farmers were interviewed using conventional survey methods or via Google-based or hard copy questionnaires. A diverse sample of Indian farmers, totaling 126 farmers, encompassing marginal, small, medium, and large-scale farmers, participated in the survey. The study revealed a widespread lack of awareness among most farmers regarding animal welfare laws. However, there was a shared understanding among participants, irrespective of age or education level, regarding the significance of the "Five Freedoms" in safeguarding animal welfare. Farmers exhibited knowledge about prevalent issues like mastitis, suitable housing, drainage and the provision of light and ventilation. Nevertheless, biosecurity measures tended to be neglected, with the highest level of awareness observed among farmers with a graduation or higher education. As far as our understanding goes, this study marks the first of its kind in this region to compile such diverse information on various facets of animal welfare, management, behavior and related factors.