ASSESSMENT AND PRIORITIZATION OF INFORMATION NEEDS IN BUFFALO PRODUCTION SYSTEM PERCEIVED BY FARMERS TO DEVELOP MOBILE APPS AS AN EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY TOOL

Information needs in buffalo production system to develop mobile apps as an extension service delivery tool were assessed and prioritized in seven distinct segments. Data were collected personally from 100 buffalo owners from Haryana and Rajasthan and mean weighted average scores were calculated and ranked. Age at puberty and maturity and identification of heat symptoms and heat detection were the two top areas under broad area of reproduction wherein majority of farmers expressed their desire to include as content in mobile app. Information on infertility and prolapse of uterus were main reproductive problems and needed information under broad area of reproductive problems. Information on characteristics of good dairy animals followed by best buffaloes suited for local conditions along with production potential were areas identified under breeding head. Respondents needed information on use of mineral mixture and computation of ration and feeding schedule as per age and stage of animal under buffalo feeding information on mastitis and control of foot and mouth disease under the disease control and control of external parasites and vaccination schedule under health management were the subareas under the head. Farmers expressed need to have information on farmers training and warning systems about diseases and weather forecasts under the broad areas of marketing and training apart from various other areas in each major segment include as content while developing the mobile app on buffalo production system.