Exploring constraints in the adoption of dairy management practices by dairy farmers: A study in Uttarakhand

Introduction

India is a global leader in milk production, boasting of a large livestock population and playing a vital role in rural livelihoods. However, despite its prominence, India's dairy sector has yet to fully realize its full potential. One of the key factors hindering the growth is the limited adoption of improved dairy management practices among farmers. This necessitates a closer look at the constraints faced by Indian dairy farmers in implementing these practices. Gamit et al (2021) [4] observed that animal husbandry has been an integral component of subsistence agriculture in rural India. In India, most of livestock belong to small farming community and carrying out traditional dairy practices. Karki and Ansari (2023) [6] reiterated that dairy farming plays a significant role in the rural economy by way of supplementing the income of rural households, particularly the marginal, small farmers and landless. Dairy farming has been and continues to be a very important activity that is significant not only economic point of view but also nutritional importance too as a substitute food for the world's expending population. Dairy farming has been viewed as a lifeline in rural Uttarakhand region, where people have been doing dairy farming traditionally for their security of livelihood (Adhikari, et al., 2020) [1] . This activity of setting up small-scale dairy and milk collection centers in Uttarakhand is a significant initiative that provides employment opportunities to the marginal and landless farmers across the state besides enhancing milk production and availability of milk (Department of Animal Husbandry, 2013) [14] . Uttarakhand is an agro-ecology rich state with a large number of fodder plants, vast forest area, grazing land and grass species, it also supports a large number of livestock population (Sati, 2016) [12] . Animals are reared by dairy farmers for various purposesmilk, meat and farm power; and they have high potential to develop and contribute in dairy farming. Due to these factors, the state has huge potential to produce milk; however, the more important question is why Uttarakhand dairy farmers still only contribute 1.12 percent to the dairy business, and the annual average income of dairy farmers in the state is 13,560/-only (ULDB, 2001) [15] . This is because farmers do not adopt improved dairy management practices at the desired level (Rajpoot et al., 2018) [10] . www.extensionjournal.com While considerable research has been conducted on various aspects of dairy farming in India, there still exists a notable research gap concerning the constraints faced by dairy farmers in adopting modern management practices. Several factors contribute to the need for further research in this area. Karki et al (2023) [6] observed that among all the constraints faced by the farmers, technical constraints i.e. lack of advanced and updated knowledge and its adoption was the major constraints observed. In view of the increasing demand for the milk and milk products, we need to increase the milk production per animal and also per capita milk availability so as to meet the requirement of ever-increasing population. Many problems/ constraints exist at different stages of milk production under field conditions. The identification of these constraints may help in bridging the adoption gap between dairy farmers and dairy management techniques (Rathod et al., 2014) [11] . The present study was undertaken with the objective to identify the major constrains faced by dairy farmers in adopting dairy management practices.

Materials and Methods

The present study was carried out Kumaon division of Uttarakhand which was selected purposively. Two districts (namely, Nainital and U. S. Nagar districts) were selected following purposive sampling. These districts were selected based on the highest milk production in various district across the state. Two blocks (Haldwani and Ramnagar) from Nainital district and two blocks (Khatima and Rudarpur) from U. S. Nagar were selected purposively on the basis of maximum number of dairy cooperatives societies. Two villages (Naripur and Chorgaliya) from Haldwani block and two villages (Bhaguwa Bangar and Puchhdi) from Ramnagar block of Nainital district were selected; and two villages (Uchi mahuwa and Sarpur) from Khatima block and two villages (Narayanpur and Indarpur) from Rudarpur block of U. S. Nagar district were selected through random sampling. Thirty dairy farmers from each village were selected through purposive sampling, based on the criteria of possession of 2 or more than 2 mulch animals. The study utilized descriptive research design. The main purpose of descriptive research design is to collect information about a particular target group and describe the existing scenario for further analysis.

Measures Constraints faced by dairy farmer in adopting dairy management practices

The focus of the study was to identify the constraints faced by dairy farmers in adopting dairy management practices. Thus, a list of various constraints identified on the basis of a comprehensive review of literature was prepared, and it was included for the study related to dairy management practices. The review yielded 22 constraints which were grouped under four categories -Infrastructure constraints, Financial constraints, Technical constraints and miscellaneous constraints.

Tools and Techniques of Data Collection: Data was

collected by a pre-tested structured interview schedule. The questions included were related to different constraints faced by the dairy farmers while adopting dairy management practices.

Statistical Tools Used for Data Analysis

The collected data was classified, tabulated, analyzed and interpreted with the help of statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, etc.

Results & Discussion

Discussion

The results obtained clearly revealed that most of the respondents faced serious problem of non-availability of medicines and emergency veterinary services under infrastructure constraints. It may be due to the fact that nonavailability of veterinary hospital/ dispensary in study area.

The findings of the present study are similar to Kale et al.

(2011) [3] , Tailor et al. (2012) [13] and Eqbal et al. (2013) [2] . It was reported that majority of the respondents faced various problems under financial constraints such as low price of milk offered, high yielding breeds of animals, concentrate and other feeds, medicines, lack of loan facility, high charges for emergency veterinary services, cattle insurance in dairy farming. Due to unavailability of concentrate feed in milk cooperative society which provided it to them at minimal price and they bought it from market at high cost. These findings are in line with Prasad et al.

(2017) [8] and Rajpoot et al. (2018) [10] . Further, the findings of the study revealed that all the respondents faced various problems under technical constraints such as lack of training facilities in dairy sector as a major constraints followed by inadequate knowledge of diseases, non-availability of veterinary hospitals, lack of knowledge about feeding and health care, unavailability of labour and non-availability of artificial insemination facilities and timely veterinary services might be due to lack of awareness camps, regular technical guidance about scientific feeding, health care and management practices. The findings are supported by Gupta et al. (2017) [5] . The data clearly revealed that majority of the respondents faced serious problem under miscellaneous category such as inadequate information about government dairy schemes, poor rapport to extension agencies and lack of cooperation and coordination among family members. It might be fact farmers were hesitated talk to extension agents that leads to poor rapport and new generation were not support and cooperate dairy farming they were migrate to cities for jobs. The findings show similarity with the finding of Adhikari et al. (2020) [1] .

Conclusion

India's dairy sector is characterized by a diverse array of farmers, ranging from smallholder subsistence farmers to large-scale commercial operations. While dairy farming offers immense potential for income generation and poverty alleviation, numerous socio-economic, infrastructural, financial, and regulatory constraints hinder the transition towards more advanced management practices.

Based on the study findings, we may conclude that dairying was one of the major activities performed by dairy farmers in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand for their livelihood security in consistent manner. The present study provided a comprehensive view of constraints faced by dairy farmers in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. Among all the constraints encountered by dairy farmers were unavailability of vaccines, low price of milk offered, lack of training facilities in dairy sector, inadequate or lack of information about government schemes. This study also suggested that efforts are needed for generating mass awareness among dairy farmers on different aspect of improved dairy farming practices as they act as the crucial link for other dairy farmers. Further, it is also highlighted that there is still more work to be done in terms of expanding access to animal feed and fodder, breeding improvements for animals, and knowledge of dairy farmers about dairy related government programmes, schemes and subsidies. Besides, dairy farmers in the Uttarakhand can also increase their profits from dairy with better pricing and reliable veterinary care. Addressing these constraints requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses policy interventions, institutional reforms, and targeted support mechanisms www.extensionjournal.com tailored to the diverse needs of Indian dairy farmers. By addressing constraints/ challenges hindering the adoption of modern dairy management practices, India can unlock the full potential of its dairy sector, fostering sustainable growth, improving livelihoods, and ensuring food security for millions.

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