PRODUCTION AND PROBLEMS OF DIARY FARMING – A CASE STUDY OF

VADAVATHOOR

SRUTHI K. JOY
B.Ed. Student (Social Science)
Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education For Women, Kottayam

ABSTRACT
The present Article Production and problems of Diary farming – a case study
Vadavathoor. Both primary and secondary data are used for study. The primary data is collected
from the dairy farmers Vadavathoor a random sample of 50 farmers are selected,The data is
collected through questionnaire method from the farmers. The findings of the study Majority of
respondent 50% sell above 20 liters and 10% sell 5-10 liters of their yield per day.

This article examine the production and problems faced by diary farmers. The farmers face
problem of marketing and high cost of operation. Even though most of the farmers have proper
waste disposal system,some of them face legal problems regarding the same.

INTRODUCTION

Agriculture in India has a long history dating back to ten thousand years. Today,India ranks
second world wide in farm outputs.Primary industry is the largest economic sector in the country
and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic development of india. Animal
husbandry,a sub sector of primary sector has a very significant role in state income. Dairy
industry is of crucial importance to India
Dairying has been inherent in india culture,for centuries,milk and milk products have
always been an integrat part of our consumption habits. In the post-independence india,co-
operative dairying has been one of the major success stories,having a profound impact on the
socio-economic development of rural areas. Today india is the largest milk producing nation in
the world,with an annual milk production of 97.5 million MTS( metric tons)
The country is the world's largest milk producer,accounting for more than 13% of the
world's total milk production. It is the world's largest consumer of dairy products. Dairy products
are a major source of cheap and nutritious food to millions of people in india and only acceptable
source of animal protein for large vegetarian segment of iindia population, particularly among
the landless,small and marginal farmers and women.
In Kerala dairying is an important source of subsidiary income to small or marginal farmers and
agricultural labourers. Out of the total milk consumed in Kerala, about 25% is met from the
neighboring states. Since agricultural is the main income source for the farmers of Kerala. Crop
residues and agriculture by products are available in plenty,which can be utilized for feeding
animals. Due to fall in price of agriculture crops and natural calamities, daunting is the best
alternativealternative source of income for the farmers of Kerala. The factors like low
productivityproductivity of local breeds ,inadequate knowledge about balanced feeding and low
conceptionconception rate are the major constraintsconstraints in dairydairy farming.

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BasedBased on the assumptionassumption that dairy farmers in Vadavathoor are facing a number
of problems. The present study is takentaken to get an insight in to the constraints and factors
affecting or problems of dairy farms in this region

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Vadavathoor is a region in the state where dairy farms are highly concentrated. They play a major
role in increasing milk production,improving income level in rural area,generating employment
opportunities and improving the nutritional standards of the people,especially for small and
marginal farmers. Dairying is growing faster in Kerala but facing a number of problems related
of its production. The present study investigates the production and problems of dairy farms.

OBJECTIVES
Following are the objectives of the study,
1. To examine the production of dairy farmers in Vadavathoor
2. To identify the factors influencing the milk production
3. To study the various problems faced by dairy farmers

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary data are used for study. The primary data is collected from the
dairy farmers Vadavathoor a random sample of 50 farmers are selected,The data is collected
through questionnaire method from the farmers. Besides some data is collected from the co-
operative society through interview method. Secondary data is collected from
magazines,journal,books other published and unpublished sources are also used in the study.

DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA AND KERALA

India is the largest and one of the most economical milk producers in the world(estimated
production of 105 million tons).It is the most important sector of Indian economy particularly in
poverty alleviation and employment generation.
In India, the dairy sector plays an important role in the country's socio-economic
development,and constitute an important segment of the rural economy. Dairy sector provides
livelihood to millions of homes in villages,ensuring supply of quality milk and milk products to
people in both urban and rural areas. Daunting is important source of generating additional
income to small farmers as well as landless agricultural labourers.
The economic survey 2015-16 presented on Friday in the parliament by the union finance
minister Arun Jaitley emphasizes that the Indian agricultural system is predominantly a mixed
crop livestock farming segment supplementary farm incomes by providing employment,draught
animals and manure.

India rank first in milk production,accounting for 18.5% of world production,achieving

an annual output of 146.3 million tones during 2014-15 as compared to 137.69 million tonnes
during 2013-14 recording a growth of 6.26%. Whereas, the food and agriculture
organization( FAO)has reported 3.1% increase in world milk production from 756 million tones

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in 2013 to 789 Million tones in 2014.
The per capita availability of milk in india has increased from 176 grams per day in 1990-91 to
322 grams per day by 2014-15 it is more than the world average of 294 grams per day during
2013. This represents a sustained growth in availability of milk and milk products for the
growing population daunting has become an important secondary source of income for millions
of rural households engaged in agriculture.
The success of the dairy industry has resulted from the integrated co-operative system of milk
collection,transportation,processing and distribution,conversion of the same to milk powder and
products,to minimize seasonal impact on supplies and buyers,retail distribution of milk and milk
products,sharing of profits with the farmer,which are ploughed back to enhance productivity and
needs to be emulated by other farm produce/producers
The Indian Dairy Development is quite different from those of the developed countries. As
India enters an era of economic reforms,agriculture,particularly the livestock sector is positioned
to be a major growth area. The fact that dairying could play a more constructive role in
promoting rural welfare and reducing poverty is increasingly being recognized.

1. SIZE OF LAND OWNED

Size of land owned means the amount of land or property or area that possessed by a person. The
area of land can be classified as less than 10 cent,1cent cent and above 50 cent
Area of land Number Percentage
less than 10 cent 4 40
10-50 cent 4 40
Above 50 2 20
Total 10 100
The table shows that about 40% of dairy farms work under below 10 percent and 40% of farm
working under 10-50 cent. Only 20% of farms working under above 50.

2. NUMBER OF MILK ANIMALS OWNED

Milk animals are those animals that are raised for the production of milk and milk products.
From the Table it is clear that 60% of dairy farm have less than 5 number of milk animals,and
10% owned above 10 milk animals.
Number of milk animals Number Percentage
less than 5 6 60
5-10 3 30
Above 10 1 10
Total 10 100

3. SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE SOCIETY

Society provide many services to the farms unit such as loan facility,cattle feed,pension etc...
This is shown in the following table. From this table it is clear that 40% of farms have got loan

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facility, 30% of farmers have got cattle feeds and 10% of farmers receive pensions
Service from society Number Percentage
loan facility 4 40
cattle feed 3 30
Pension 1 10
Others 2 20
Total 10 100

4. MODERN TECHNIQUE USED

Use of modern techniques in dairy farms is almost similar throughout the district. However some
machinery and equipment are essentially required such as the chatt cutter machine,miling
pails,milk cans etc... are used by dairy farms. This is shown in the following table.
Use of modern techniques Number Percentage
Yes 8 80
No 2 20
Total 10 100

5. PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH DAIRY FARMING

There are many problems associated with dairy farming they are reasonable price,storage
facility,difficulties of transporting etc.. this is shown in the following table
Problems Number Percentage
Reasonable price 6 60
Storage facility 3 30
Difficulties of transporting 1 10
facility
Total 10 100
This table shows that 60% of farmers not get reasonable price and 30% face problem of storage
facility
disposal system

6. LEGAL PROBLEMS

The farmer face legal action mainly on environmental problems created by the farms and also
regarding the nature of feeds given to the cattle increase the milk feeds production. This is one of
major challenges for dairy farms as shown in a table

Legal problems Number Percentage

Legal problems faced 6 60
Legal problems no faced 4 40

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Total 10 100
From this table it is clear that the majority of respondents did not face any problem associated
with dairy farm which is 60% of the total

7. HEALTH PROBLEMS

The continuous dairy activity may some health effect also . Dairy activities need keen
observation and full time caring in almost all the day. This is shown in the following table.
Health problem Number percentage
Health problem faced 3 30
Health problem not faced 7 70
Total 10 100
This table shows that around 70% are not faced any health problem associated with dairy
farming but only 30% face some health problem

FINDINGS

The present study derives the following reference

※Majority of respondent 60% own less than 5 milk animals and only 10% more than 10 milk
animals
※Majority of respondent 50% sell above 20 liters and 10% sell 5-10 liters of their yield per day
※Major part of farmers used modern techniques and 20 % are not use techniques
※Majority of respondent have no health problem associated with dairy activity.

SUGGESTIONS

● The society should make necessary arrangement so that farmers could get credit at lower rate
of
interest
● The society is supposed to encourage the youth to engage in agriculture and daring
● The farmer should set target of production and methods formulate to achieve them
● The society should try to give higher prices to farmers,so that they receive some profit to its
members
● The co-operative should promote cross breeding as a method of rapid increase production

CONCLUSION
The dairy sector plays an important role in the country's socio economic development,and
constitutes an important segment of the rural economy. Dairy Industry provides livelihood to
millions of homes in villages,ensuring supply of quality milk and milk productsproducts to
people in both urbanurban and rural areas
The study focused on the problems of the dairy sector in the state,especially in Vadavathoor.
Must of the farm owners are middle aged. The farms are operated on a small with less number of

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cattle. The farms are operated on a small stretch of land.
The farmers face problem of marketing and high cost of operation. Even though most of the
farmers have proper waste disposal system,some of them face legal problems regarding the
same.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Government Documents
★ Government of Kerala (2007) .Economic survey. Thiruvananthapuram:State Planning Board
★ Annual Report of Animal Husbandry Department(2007)
Online Reference
★ Dairying system In India,http://www.am up.com/html

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 INTERVIEWW SCHEDULE

This study is the part of our B.Ed course in social science at Mount Carmel College of
Teacher Education For Women In Kottayam. The data collected will not be used for any other
purpose

1.Name :
2.Age. : 20-30. 30-40. 40-50. Above 50
3.Sex. : Male Female
4.Area of land. : less than 10 cent 10-50 cent
Above 50 cent
5.How many milk animals do you have : less than 5 cent
5-10. Above 10
6.Quantity of milk sold per day : Below 5 liters
5-10 liters. 10 -20 liters
Above 20 liters
7.What are the services provided by the society:
Loan facility. Cattle feed
Pensions. Others
8.Have you availed loan from the society :
Yes. No
9.Type of cattle feed used: Green fodder dry fodder
Others
10.Does your Dairy farm profitable to you :
Yes. No
11.Does your dairy farm use any modern techniques:
Yes. No
12.Point out the key problem associated with marketing the milk:
Are you get reasonable price : yes. No
Lack of storage facilities. : yes. No
Difficulties of transporting the milk to collection
Yes. No.
13. Do you get sufficient income from this dairy unit
Yes. No
14.Does your farm have a proper waste disposal system
Yes. No
15. Are you faced any legal problems from the authority.
Yes. No
16.Did you get any health problems from your dairy activity. Yes. No