Singh, P. K.Ahir, N. J.2018-06-052018-06-051992http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810049033In this study an attempt has been made to identify the factors influencing the farmers' decisions on dairying. An average milk producer of the Zone maintained 2.56 milch animals. Buffaloes were preferred by the households over cows. The average investment in the dairy enterprise was Rs. 9907 per farm which increased with an increase in the size of farm. Of the total investment in dairying milch animals accounted for the lion's share with 83 to 86 per cent of the- investment on different categories of farms. Crossbred cows were kept by large group of farmers only. At the over all level the total annual maintenance cost of an in-milk local cow was Rs. 5 391, The total maintenance cost of a lactating buffalo and crossbred cow was Rs. 7568 and Rs. 11455 respectively. Among the items of cost,feeds accounted for about 55 per cent to 54 per cent of the maintenance of different classes of milch animals. Average productivity of the milch animals in the area was low and ranged from about 843 litres per annum in case of in-milk local cow, 2421 litres for crossbred cow and 1523 litres for an average buffalo. The results revealed that maintaining a buffalo and crossbred cow was profitable however keeping a local cow was remunerative only over paid out costs. An average household had a marketed surplus of 1915 litres of milk. The share of different categories of households in the total marketed surplus of milk in the Zone ranged from 22 per cent to 26 per cent meaning there by that it was fairly uniform . Milk producers sold their cow milk preferably through co-operative societies and buffalo milk to private traders. The study has indicated that dairying in the study area though popular is still a supplementary enterprise to crop farming. Almost all farms maintain few dry milch animals and youngstock. The maintenance of such animals push up cost of dairying making it unprofitable activity. In the area there is scope to increase milk yield by adopting better and scientific feeding and livestock management practices.enAgricultural Economics, AgricultureAN ANALYSISThesis