Abstract

Dairy farming is a common agricultural practice among rural farmers. Livestock is an essential part of the rural Indian economy and social fabric. Among the several animal industries, dairy farming stands out as the most prevalent and lucrative. Nearly 70% of India’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and livestock. A survey was done in the Coimbatore area to assess the economic and social backgrounds of dairy farmers and the challenges they confront while trying to increase milk output. A total of 150 dairy farmers were randomly picked to provide the data. The research employed a combination of a percentage breakdown and a priority ranking of responses. This result suggests that most respondents are in their middle years, have completed at most a secondary education, and are living in households with a few members. They had a moderately sized herd, a moderate amount of pasture, and a moderate amount of milk to show for it. The majority of the region’s farmers have middle-class incomes and are highly engaged in their communities. According to the study’s findings, a decrease in cattle productivity was the primary factor impeding milk production growth, followed by the high cost of cattle feed, the high cost of delivering veterinary services, and the unprofitable milk price. If milk producers are going to be able to sell their product at a high price, the results of this study show they need a more effective marketing plan.

Keywords : Indigenous dairy farmer, Socio-economic profile, Communication behaviour, Constraints