Programme Details
The Diploma in Livestock Extension is a 2-year programme that trains field-ready professionals to improve animal health, productivity, and farmer livelihoods across rural and peri-urban communities. Learners gain a solid foundation in animal husbandry, breed improvement, fodder and nutrition, housing, primary health practices, vaccination support, record-keeping, and government scheme facilitation.
Hands-on practice, farm visits, and community outreach are integral, enabling graduates to assist veterinarians, guide farmer producer groups, and organise awareness drives on best practices in dairying, poultry, goatery, and small ruminant management.
Program Outcomes
- Applied Animal Husbandry: Advise farmers on housing, hygiene, heat stress management, and daily care for cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, and poultry.
- Nutrition & Fodder Planning: Prepare balanced rations, plan fodder cultivation, and manage silage/hay to reduce feed costs.
- Breed Improvement Support: Assist with heat detection, record-keeping, and linking farmers to AI/breeding services under veterinary supervision.
- Preventive Health Practices: Support deworming, vaccination drives, and biosecurity measures; recognise early signs of common diseases for timely referral.
- Dairy & Poultry Management: Guide on calf rearing, milking hygiene, litter management, and flock health to improve yields and quality.
- Extension & Farmer Training: Plan and deliver community sessions, demonstrations, and IEC activities using participatory extension methods.
- Data & Documentation: Maintain herd registers, production and health records, and basic economic analyses for farm decision-making.
- Schemes & Convergence: Help farmers access govt. schemes, insurance, and credit; facilitate linkages with cooperatives and FPOs.
- Ethics & Professional Conduct: Work safely, respectfully, and confidentially while following animal welfare norms.
- Teamwork & Communication: Collaborate with veterinarians, para-vets, NGOs, and local bodies; communicate technical advice in simple language.
Career Pathways
- Livestock Extension Assistant / Veterinary Field Assistant (under supervision)
- Dairy / Poultry / Goat Farm Supervisor
- Community Animal Health Worker / Pashu Sakhi (NGOs/CSR projects)
- Field Executive with feed, fodder, genetics, or agri-input companies
- Enumerator / Trainer for livestock schemes and development programmes
- Entrepreneurship: small dairy/poultry units, fodder enterprises, input retail
Further Education
- B.Voc./B.Sc. in Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dairy Technology, or related fields (as per university norms)
- Certificate courses in AI Technician, Dairy Plant Operations, Fodder Management
- Bridge programmes for supervisory roles in cooperatives and animal health projects
