ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN HOMESTEAD DAIRY PRODUCTION UNITS
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Date
1995
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES Mannuthy - Thrissur
Abstract
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 during the last five 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 households 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
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sheds were more than the space recommended and the width of
manger was less than the space recommended by both KAU and
I CAR,
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.
Ill The households reported the incidence of infertility,
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 vaccinations 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 vis., 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. m 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 utilisation was the low level
participation of children.
cost was the major expenditure in the
of milch cows followed by labour charges,
deprecration, interest on fixed capital and medicines and
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miscellaneous cost. The cost of production of 1 litre 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
holding. 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 nf liLii. 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.
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