Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

The present study was conducted in Rajasthan during the year 2018-19. An attempt has been made in this investigation to work out the cost and returns from milk production across different milch species of animal viz., local cow, crossbreed cow and buffalo. The study covered 160 dairy households from Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts. The results of the study revealed that the small herd size category (standard animal units) contributes 66.25 per cent of total households followed by medium (20.63 per cent) and large (13.12 per cent) categories in the study area. The overall cost of milk production was found lowest for crossbred (₹ 21.66/lit.), followed by buffalo (₹ 27.80/lit.) and local cow (₹ 30.99/lit). Feed cost was higher for buffalo (55.29%) followed by local cow (54.59%) and crossbreed cow (52.01%). However, the expense was higher in case of crossbreed cow (24.37%) followed by local cow (24.26%) and buffalo (23.82%) and decreased with the increase in size of herd. The overall of cost of milk production was lowest for crossbred cow (21.66/lit.), followed by indigenous cow (30.99/lit.) and buffalo (27.80/lit.).