sustainability of dairy farms in karnataka

Abstract

Dairying is providing assured income, social security and contributing to ecological newlinesecurity. The present study was carried out in Southern transition agro climatic zone newlinecovering Hassan and Mysuru districts of Karnataka. Objectives of the study were: (i) to newlineanalyse the dynamics of dairying in Karnataka. (ii) to identify the attributes of sustainability in newlinedairy farming in selected farms. (iii) to construct sustainability index to quantify newlinesustainability in dairy farming. (iv) to assess factors influencing sustainable dairy farming, newlineand (iv) to suggest the policies related to dairying in selected districts. newlineIn Karnataka, Hassan and Mysuru districts ranked first and second respectively in newlinecross breed cattle population. These districts hold 5th and 6th position respectively in newlineindigenous cattle population. Hassan and Mysuru comprised of 6.37 per cent and 5.77 per cent newlineof state bovine population respectively and this showed importance of animal husbandry newlinein the study area. Hence Hassan and Mysuru districts were selected for the study. newlineFor collecting primary data 191 farmers were interviewed through interview schedule. newlinePrimary data collected was pertaining to the year 2016-17. For analysing secondary data, newlineKarnataka state was classified into four regions based on state s administrative regions. newlineFour regions were Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Mysuru. newlineAnalytical tools like descriptive statistics, panel data regression analysis was newlineemployed to analyse secondary data. To construct index for analysing sustainability in newlinedairy farming, Sustainable Dairy Farming Index (SDFI) was constructed. Response priority newlineindex was used to analyse constraints faced by dairy farmers in milk production. Multiple newlineregression analysis was used to study factors affecting SDFI. newlineHighest per cent change in population was registered in crossbred population newline(31.21%). Highest negative change in population was recorded in case of indigenous cattle newline(-10.88%) followed by buffalo (-8.14%). Totally bovine population declined to an extent newline