Profitability Of Small- Scale Dairy farms and their Constraints in Gaibandha Sadar

Abstract

The present study was assigned to determine the present status including general information, feeding, breeding, housing, milking etc. and costs and returns of small-scale dairy farms, their constraints and to make recommendation for development of small-scale dairy farms. With this view, the empirical data were collected by using pretested questionnaire. The study was conducted at Sadar upazila, Gaibandha where six registered dairy farms were surveyed. The studied dairy herd consists of 5 to 10 cows. Both indigenous and crossbred cows were reared in these farms. Average milk production of the indigenous cow was 1 to 2.5 liters per day, whereas crossbred cows produces 7 to 10 liters per day. The range of annual net income per cow was 100000 to 450000 BDT. This variations might be due to variation in milk yield, the management practices of the farms and breed differences. The study showed that, incase of 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 farmers face problems, the study observed that there were potentials particularly for small-scale dairy farmers. The small-scale farmers by keeping 8-10 crossbred cows could earn a modest living by adopting small dairy farming as a profession