Economic analysis of crossbred dairy cattle farming at Anwara upazila in Chattogram district

Abstract

The study was undertaken to analyze the socio-economic status, profitability and existing problems of dairy cattle farming at Anwara upazila in Chattogram district, Bangladesh. A total of 20 farms were selected by random sampling methods from Anwara upazila. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data from the farmers during February to May, 2022. Both descriptive statistics and econometric analysis were used for analyzing the data. The study reveals that average milk production of crossbred dairy cattle was 13.125 liter and total return was Tk 202683.22 per year per cattle where milk selling contributed 89.36% of total return. 55% of total farmers had their primary schooling with an experience of 13.5 years of farming. About 55% of the farmer earned Tk 31000-50000 as monthly income. Feed cost comprise about 90.51% of total farming cost while gross margin was Tk 96657.49 and net return was Tk 96223.99. The BCR was 1.91 indicating that dairy farming is still profitable in the study area. The study also point out some major problems faced by the farmers such as lack of capital, negative effect of COVID-19 on dairy farming, high cost of concentrate feed, insufficient pasture land and green fodder. It is suggested that the Government should provide subsidy on concentrate feed and easy access to bank loan in order to solve those problems.