Reaching out to Milk Farmers in a Plantation Community In Sri Lanka: A Case Study

Mudannayake, Irangani Reaching out to Milk Farmers in a Plantation Community In Sri Lanka: A Case Study., 2008 . In National Conference On Library & Information Studies (NACLIS 2008), Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, June 24, 2008. [Conference paper]

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English abstract

The paper describes experiences of conducting an information programme for milk farmers in the Maskeliya plantation area, Sri Lanka by the Public Library Maskeliya, with the primary objective of facilitating grass-root level communities to access information. Information and data for the paper was collected from a mini survey of feed back of the participants and also from secondary sources. The broad objective of the information programme was to create an information platform for the milk farmers to obtain vital information needed for their livelihood. Specific objectives were to educate milk farmers on cattle diseases and how to control them; to make them aware of obtaining accurate and reliable information and the available mass media sources for information and to provide information about livestock training programmes conducted by the Dept. of Animal Production and Health. The performances and the constraints of the livestock sector is discussed. The need for public libraries intervention with the grass-root level communities for expansion of their capacities is emphasised. The Maskeliya Public Library was chosen for the information programme because of the presence of dairy farmers in the area. The information programme was organized with the collaboration of the AGRINET librarians, the Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabhawa, the government veterinary surgeon, estate managers of the tea plantains and Maskeliya Public Library Readers Club. The information programme consisted of two presentations, a CD-ROM demonstration, a display of farmer focused publications and free distribution of an information package. The challenges of the programme were the linguistic problem and the literacy level. An interpreter was used to communicate the presentations in Tamil language. One hundred milk farmers, which was 10% of total milk farmers in the area attended the programme. Written feedback was collected from 55 farmers who could write. The major problem faced by milk farmers were cattle shed problems, low milk prices, lack of medical facilities, cattle feed problems, low incomes etc. The public librarians were required to build up partnership with influential people and institutes in the area through professional lobbying. Language skills of the public librarians were a requirement to reach out to grass-root levels

Item type:	Conference paper
Keywords:	Community Information; Rural Information needs; Agricultural Information
Subjects:	B. Information use and sociology of information > BH. Information needs and information requirements analysis.
Depositing user:	Mr. J.J.G. Arachchige
Date deposited:	23 Jul 2008
Last modified:	02 Oct 2014 12:12
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/12127

References

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Department of Census and Statistics. (2005). Statistical abstract of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Dept. of Census and Statistics.

Government Veterinary Office, (2008). Document on registered cattle farmers in Maskeliya. Unpublished.

Kothalawala, K.A.C.H.A,. (2008) Survey on cost of Production of milk.Livestock Statistical Bulletin vol.1 issue 1:1-4.

National Committee on Livestock aquaculture and fisheries, 2007. Research priorities in livestock aquaculture and fisheries 2007-2011. Colombo:CARP.

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