Problems Faced by the Dairy Farmers in Palakkad District of Kerala, India

Aims: The dairy industry in India is instrumental in providing cheap and nutritional food to the vast population of India and also generates huge employment opportunities for people in rural areas. Milk is the largest product from the agriculture and allied sector in India in terms of value at Rs.6.5 lakh crore. It contributes around 26 per cent of total agriculture’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Kerala currently represents the twelfth largest dairy market in India. The livestock population in Kerala was 38.36 lakh in the year of 2019 [1]. Dairying is a major subsidiary occupation for the farmers of Kerala. But present-day dairying is faced with a number of challenges. The study was conducted to explore various constraints associated with dairy farming as perceived by the farmers.

Objective: To identify the problems faced by dairy farmers in Palakkad district of Kerala.

Methodology: The primary data for this study were collected using a structured interview schedule from 200 active dairy farmer respondents from four selected dairy co-operatives in the Palakkad district.

Results: The temperature variation was the major factor behind the milk production problems. Because Kerala's highest temperature was always recorded in the Palakkad district. But none of the dairy farmers were facing difficulties with milk procurement. All of them were satisfied with the procurement facilities and arrangements. Low accessibility to veterinary services and a lack of sufficient labour were the main problems faced by the selected dairy farmers. Out of 200 dairy farmers, none of them were affected by the floods of 2018 and 2019. The quantity of milk procured by the dairy co-operative society, transportation, profit from the sale of milk, and labour services were mainly affected due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The lack of availability of schemes and support is one of the main problems faced by the respondents. Lack of knowledge about banking services and functions related to subsidies was also one of the problems that existed among them.

Conclusion: From the study, it became evident that dairy farming activities in Kerala, though growing are crippled by a range of problems. The appointment of a trained Artificial insemination, Veterinary First Aid worker, creation of labour groups and continuous monitoring of the progress of schemes and services can solve the problems faced by dairy farmers up to a limit. Finally, this will result in the widening of our country's dairy sector.