Livestock plays an important role in livelihood of small and marginal farmers with 5.47 per cent of state GDP (Gross domestic product) and one of the primary sources of employment to marginalized section(s) of rural Tamil Nadu. This study was undertaken to identify the factors driving participation of marginalized section(s) in livestock extension programs in Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted in Tamil Nadu from February 2020 to September 2021 at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India. Primary data was collected from the selected sample of 23 extension centres using structured questionnaire in google form and secondary data was collected from the Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS for the period of 2017 to 2019. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test) were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that better staff availability in the centre and higher proportion of off-campus programs significantly influenced the inclusiveness of marginalised sections in overall extension programmes. Furthermore, improving transport facilities through mobility innovations such as pooling of transport and hiring models during on-campus programmes may facilitate better participation / inclusion level of marginalised sections.

Keyword: Access to extension; Inclusiveness; Livestock extension; Marginalised section; Schedule tribe.