A Socioeconomic Analysis of Commercially Operated Cross-Bred Dairy Enterprises at Some Selected Upazilas in Chattogram Division

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate the farm profitability of the commercially operated small-scale dairy farms in some selected Upazilas under Chattogram Division in Bangladesh. The examination was led in five upazilas, to be specific Banshkhali and lohagara, from Chattogong district, Cox'sbazar sadar , Kutubdia and Chakaria from Cox'sbazar distrist under Chattogram Division. Necessary information was collected by utilizing an organized survey from12 small size, 8 medium sizes and 4 large sizes commercial dairy farms purposively from each location for in depth study. Altogether, 60 little sizes farms, 40 medium size farms and 20 large size farms were selected randomly and information was gathered from June to December 2020. Investigated parameters were the socioeconomic profiles, production, management, housing and feeding systems with disease occurrences of dairy cows under different categories of commercially operated cross-bred dairy farms. This study also estimated the necessary costs, returns, farm profitability and available marketing channels of commercially operated cross-bred dairy farms. The study it revealed that, the estimated Gross Margin (GM) per cow per lactation year over cash were found in Tk.77,741.10, Tk. 80,378.15, Tk.92,575.75 equivalent in USD 936.64,968.42 and 1115.38 respectively for small, medium and large farms. The result also showed that, per cow per lactation year net return over total costs were also estimated in Tk. 50,493.60, Tk.51,622.80 and Tk. 45,600.25 equivalent in $ 608.36, $ 621.96 and $ 549.40 for small, medium and large farms respectively. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) were accounted for 1.63, 1.61 and 1.53, respectively for small, medium and large scale commercially operated dairy farms where BCR accounted in average was found 1.59 which was better than the other study resulted BCR 1.37 which indicates small scale dairying is a profitable and sustainable farm business in the study areas in Chattogram division. Most of the farmers reported that, they sold their fluid milk by using traditional milk marketing both direct and indirect channels like as local consumers both in farm gate and local markets, local Goala, local Gosh, Sweetmeat shops in local and peri-urban areas.

At last, the examination distinguished some vital issues regarding problems like as excessive costs of feeds and feeding, low costs of milk, shortage of value takes care of and grains, origination disappointment, variety in market interest of created milk and data sources, inefficient and irregular veterinary services, care and administrations, distance of A.I. point, absence of preparing and augmentation work, deceitful practice by milk brokers and day by day works, non accessibility of good bull/semen, absence of credit facilities and quality feed balancing and mineral inadequacy were the principle issues for limited scope dairy ranch proprietors. Finally made possible remedial measures for reducing the faced problems and made recommendation for making small-scale commercial dairy farming as a profitable and sustainable business.