Researchers assess Hindi YouTube mastitis advice for Indian dairy farmers
Researchers from the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center assessed the quality of Hindi-language YouTube material on mastitis management for dairy farmers in India. The study was published in Scientific Reports on 14 October 2026.
The researchers used the YouTube Data API v3 to search for videos on 6 March 2026. Four Hindi search queries produced an initial set of 200 videos. After screening, 63 videos met the study’s inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis.
Each video was assessed with four measures: modified DISCERN, the JAMA benchmark criteria, the Global Quality Scale and a study-specific Mastitis Video Content Scoring tool. The average Global Quality Scale result was 1.98 out of five. The mean JAMA score was 1.21 out of four, while the mean modified DISCERN score was 1.96 out of five.
Independent creators produced 52% of the videos. Their videos had the highest audience reach, with a Video Power Index of 2.32, but received the lowest scores for clinical comprehensiveness. Veterinary professionals contributed fewer videos, while recording the highest quality scores and an engagement ratio of 4.26.
The study reported a weak positive relationship between video duration and the Mastitis Video Content Scoring result. The correlation coefficient was 0.265, with a p-value of 0.036. The authors stated that the result indicated that longer videos were not necessarily required to provide more comprehensive information.
The paper describes YouTube as an informal channel for livestock-health information in India. It states that the platform’s information quality is not regulated and that visibility is shaped by popularity rather than accuracy. The authors identified a gap between popularity and quality in digital veterinary extension and highlighted the need to strengthen digital communication skills among field-level veterinarians.
The research was supported by the CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator and formed part of the ICAR-funded Professional Attachment Training of Anil at CIMMYT. The authors declared no competing interests. D. A. K. Reddy was the corresponding author.
