Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Manju Sasidharan, Kannan A, Biya Ann Joseph, Raji K and Sunanda C

Abstract:
Out of 350 farms surveyed 69.7 per cent belonged to small farm (1-2 cows), followed by 26 per cent medium farms (3-10 cows) and four per cent large farms (more than 10 cows). Majority of dairy farmers were in the age group of 41-60. Most of the farm heads (62%) were male. Nearly 60 per cent followed Hinduism, 39.9 per cent Christianity and 1.1 per cent Islam. Fifty three per cent belonged to general category and majority of dairy farmers (56.6%) had secondary school education. Dairy farmers (48.9%) reported very low monthly income of less than or equal to 1000 rupees. 73.1 per cent of farmers stayed as nuclear families. Land holding of 35.7per cent dairy farmers were less than or equal to 20 cents while majority of dairy farmers in large category and highlands had land holdings of more than 100 cents. Mixed farming was done by 42 per cent dairy farmers whereas 40 per cent used land for fodder cultivation. Dairying was chosen as livelihood by 56 per cent farmers whereas 14.3 per cent selected dairying as additional income source. Majority of dairy farmers had more than 20 years of experience. Among large category of farms, about one third was youngsters with less than 5 years of experience in dairying.