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Study of Management and Production System of Small Scale Dairy Farm in a Selective Rural Area of Bangladesh

A B M K I Khan
Animal Nutritionist cum Senior Instructor
Youth Training centre, Jamalpur, Bangladesh

M A Baset
Associate professor
Department of Animal Nutrition and Livestock Management, Sylhet Agricultural University

S K Fouzder
Associate Professor
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Potuakhali University of Science and Technology

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was conducted to determine the present status including general information, feeding, breeding, housing, and milking etc. and costs & returns of small dairy farms, to compare the productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous cows and to make recommendation for development of small scales dairy farm. With this view, the empirical data were collected by using pre tested questionnaire. The study was conducted at 8 thanas in Mymensingh district, and four months-long survey was diminished on thirty small dairy owners. It appeared from the study that 57% farm owners belong to business class and remaining 43 per cent to different categories. Fifty three per cent took dairying as a side-business whereas only 47 per cent took it as a main business enterprise. Major percentage of farm owner education level that was Higher Secondary level (60%) and the average number of animal per farm was 13.01. The average monthly income of farm owners found in the study area was Tk. 4387. It was observed that farm owners had 85.4% crossbred (like Friesian cross and Jersey cross) and was 14.6% indigenous cattle, and 87% farmers used artificial insemination and rest used both artificial and natural services. Daily milk yield/cow/farm was 4.27 and 1.78 liters for a crossbred and indigenous dairy cow, respectively. It was estimated that the rearing cost of dairy cow was Tk. 67.5/cow/day and return from rearing dairy cow was Tk. 85.2/cow/day. The net return was Tk. 17.7/cow/day from crossbred in the study area and cost benefit ratio was 1: 1.26. The study showed that there were significant (P<0.01) differences within the dry period, service per conception, calving to first service, highest and lowest milk production and lactation period of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows. The study also showed non-significant differences within calving interval for crossbred and indigenous. Incase of small dairy farming, the farms were facing a lot of problems such as scarcity of feeds and fodder, high price of concentrate and lack of technical knowledge. Although the dairy cow owners face problems, the study observed that there were potentials particularly for the small dairy farmers. The small farmers by keeping 8-10 crossbred cows could earn a modest living by adopting small dairy farming as a profession

Keywords: Cost and return, Crossbred, Dairy farming, Indigenous, Performance

Location: Eight thanas (namely Mymensingh sadar, Phulpur, Haluaghat, Valuka, Trishal, Fulbaria, Muktagasha and Gauripur) of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-04-2002

End Date: 00-07-2002

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

i) To estimate the existing status regarding breeding, feeding, housing, milking, marketing of milk and management aspects of small dairy farms. ii) To compare the productive and reproductive performances of crossbred and indigenous cows reared in small dairy farms. iii) To calculate the costs and returns of small dairy farms

Methodology:

The study was conducted at the eight thanas (namely Mymensingh sadar, Phulpur, Haluaghat, Valuka, Trishal, Fulbaria, Muktagasha and Gauripur) of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Data were collected by a designed survey schedule according to objectives from April to July, 2002. The survey schedule was prepared based on the following key items: owner’s general information, cattle population, sources of fund, housing system, feeds and feeding system, breeding system, over all management system, costs and returns of raising dairy cows, problems in dairying etc. A total of thirty (30) small dairy farms out of which 9 from sadar thana and 3 from each of the rest 7 thanas were randomly surveyed for this purposes. The data regarding productive and reproductive parameters of 112 crossbred cows and 19 indigenous dairy cows were collected. Data were collected through direct interviews and personal visits to the farm of selected farmers. Before beginning the interview, each respondent was given a brief description about the nature and purpose of the study. Responses of farmers were recorded directly on the interview schedules. Collected data from the farmers were compiled and tabulated. Tabulated data were arranged as percent value. The data regarding productive and reproductive performance were analyzed by the CRD described by Steel and Torrie (1980).

Source of Information: J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 13-23, June-December 2010 ISSN 1728-7855

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Most of the farmers (70%) said that dairy farming was profitable, 20% said less profitable and 10% said balance. From the above discussion, it may be concluded that the present management condition of small dairy farms in Mymensingh district is more or less traditional and the productive and reproductive performance of crossbred cows was better than that of indigenous cows. Most of the farmers believe that dairy farming is a profitable enterprise and can be more profitable if Government gives support on feed cost, marketing, loan and management training.

Knowledge Management: Journal