MVSc

The present study was carried out with a view of estimating objectively the existing practices of management, components of inputs and cost of milk production in the rural unorganised and organised areas. The study was carried out in kalady panchayat of Ernakulam district. The required data was collected from the households by direct observation and personal interview using a pre – tested schedule.
Cattle, buffalo and goats were the livestock species mainly reared by farmers. Most of the dairymen had a single cow unit. A reduction in herd strength was noticed in all the holdings the last years. Majority of farmers raised their own replacement stock. Regarding purchase of animals farmers generally preferred adult cows than heifers or calves. Farmers considered attributes like milk production appearance and confirmation, colour, temperament and age of animals, price and also his financial position before purchasing animals.
Majority of housholds had pucca cattle sheds and the remaining had kutcha sheds. Lean to type houses were more in number than independent houses as it was easier to construct and incurred low construction cost. Most of the sheds had feeding mangers. The standing space provided for cows in the sheds were more than the space recommended and the width of manger was less than the space recommended by both KAU and ICAR.
The types of feed fed to livestock are compounded feed, concentrate cakes, roughages and crop by – products and residues. The feed stuffs were mainly purchased from private shops, markets or co – operative societies. None of the farmers purchased green fodder, they mainly depended on fodder collected from field bunds and other agricultural lands. The study revealed the allocation of feed stuff. It was higher for animals in milk followed by pregnant and dry cows and heifers.
It was observed that dairymen of both organised and unorganised sectors fed DCP and TDN in excess of NRC recommendations. More attention was bestowed on the feeding of female calves than male calves as majority of farmers were interested in raising replacements.
In the study area AI was the predominant practise in breeding. The study revealed that a large proportion of dairymen were not aware of heat signs and the right time for inseminating their animals. The longer calving interval was due to poor heat detection, conception failure and deliberate skipping of heat by farmers.
The households reported the incidence of inferitility, reproductive problems, mastitis and minor ailments like anorexia, parasitism, diarrhoea, pyrexia and foot diseases. The study revealed that dairymen had poor knowledge about the need for vaccination and deworming of their livestock. So also a good number of farmers were not even aware of cattle insurance schemes.
The average daily milk consumption was more in organised sector than unorganised sector. The quantity of milk retained for home consumption was less in both sectors when compared to the quantity of milk sold. There were three principal outlets for the sale of milk viz., milk societies, vendors and local consumers. Farmers due to the reason that they are getting the highest price from local sales preferred to sell milk to local consumers.
There was very little use of hired labour in the study area. In all dairy activities family labour was engaged. Outdoor activities were mostly done by husbands and indoor activities were mostly done by wives. Another notable feature in household labour utilization was the low level participation of children.
Feed cost was the major expenditure in the maintenance of milch cows followed by labour charges, depreciation, interest on fixed capital and medicines and miscellaneous cost. The cost of production of 1 liter of milk was highest in the marginal holdings and lowest in the medium holdings. The result of the study showed that cost of milk production decreased with the increase in size of land holdings. One rupee investment in milk production generated the highest return of Rs.1.28 in medium holdings followed by Rs.1.27 in small and Rs.1.23 in marginal holdings.
The cost of production of milk was lower in the organised sector as compared to the unorganised sector. One rupee investment in milk production generated Rs.1.18 in organised sector and Rs.1. 26 in unorganised sector.
Old age, immediate requirement for cash, poor production, disease, lack of family labour and bad temperament were the reasons for the disposal of animals. Out of the cows disposed majority belonged to marginal holdings.
The most important constraints in dairying felt by the respondents were high cost of feed and fodder, low price of milk, inadequate knowledge about scientific feeding, lack of finance or subsidy and lack of family labour.