Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Prahlad P Bhat, Sahana S, Sudheendra M, Basavaraj I Halingali and Chinnappa B

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to know constraints faced by farmers in dairy activities. Dairy farming is a family enterprise involves both the gender. Thirteen independent constraints were taken for the study based on personal interview technique using schedule. Later, they were categorized into six broad constraints viz., Marketing, Financial, Technical, Physical, Institutional and Personal constraints. Friedman rank test was performed to validate whether sample dairy farmers do differ in their opinion about six broad constraints in dairy farming. The test was found statistically significant with chi-square statistic 186.57 at five percent level of significance and five degrees of freedom. The significance indicates that sample farmers do differ in their opinion about constraints. Marketing constraints appeared as most severe with highest Mean Rank Value Score of 5.21 while Personal constraint as least severe with score of 1.79. Further identified 13 constraints were ranked considering means score assigned by sample dairy farmers. ‘Non-availability of quality semen’ ranked first was considered as most severe. The effectiveness of artificial insemination depends on quality of semen used. The success of dairy farming depends on regularity in parturition. ‘Low price of milk’ appeared as second major constraint due to failure of milk price to keep the pace of rise in input prices having negative bearing on production costs. Delay in payment of price incentives appeared as third major constraint due to the institutional rigidities & deficit budget. The study concluded that timely availability of quality semen should be made available in the veterinary hospitals located in the vicinity. Incentive prices paid by government should cover rising input prices to retain status quo position of farmers.