D. Bardhan

Technical efficiency in milk production in underdeveloped production environment of India

The study was undertaken in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand state of India with the objective of estimating technical efficiency in milk production across different herd-size category households and factors influencing it. Total of 60 farm households having representation from different herd-size categories drawn from six randomly selected villages of plain and hilly regions of the division constituted the ultimate sampling units of the study. Stochastic frontier production function analysis was used to estimate the technical efficiency in milk production. Multivariate regression equations were fitted taking technical efficiency index as the regressand to identify the factors significantly influencing technical efficiency in milk production. The study revealed that variation in output across farms in the study area was due to difference in their technical efficiency levels. However, it was interesting to note that smallholder producers were more technically efficient in milk production than their larger counterparts, especially in the plains. Apart from herd size, intensity of market participation had significant and positive impact on technical efficiency in the plains. This provides definite indication that increasing the level of commercialization of dairy farms would have beneficial impact on their production efficiency.

Willingness to pay for cattle and buffalo insurance: an analysis of dairy farmers in central India

In India, insurance market especially in agricultural sector is usually underdeveloped. The idea of livestock insurance emerged in India before three decades, yet, it has not operated in a significant way till date. It is well noted that livestock insurance scheme is the relevant strategy in managing different risks related to livestock farming but very little attention has been paid to address the livestock insurance needs of the dairy farmers. This study, therefore, addresses the basic question that how many people and to what extent they are willing to pay for livestock insurance and determine the main factors which influence insurance participation of dairy farmers. The data was collected from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh in India with a sample survey of 120 cattle and buffalo farmers. For eliciting willingness to pay, a contingent valuation scenario was presented to dairy animal owners in the group of five to six. A logit discrete binary regression model was used to know the factors influencing adoption of livestock insurance. The results suggest that most of the farmers were willing to participate in cattle and buffalo insurance. The amount of premium varies across different breeds of dairy animals. The low level of education of many dairy farmers have negatively influenced the decision to purchase livestock insurance. Farmers having more experience in rearing dairy animals are more likely to be willing to pay for cattle and buffalo insurance.

Adoption Status and Influencing Factors of Mobile Telephony in Dairy Sector: A Study in Four States of India

The study has analysed the adoption status of mobile telephones in dairying, and enlisted the constraints as perceived by the dairy farmers. It has also identified the factors affecting adoption of mobile telephones in India through the primary data collected from 360 dairy farmers of four states of north India, viz. Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The adoption status has revealed that the majority of respondents have been using mobile phones partially in dairying since 3–6 years, followed by adoption since 0–3 years. A significant difference (p < 0.001) has been observed among the respondents across the states with regard to adoption of mobile phones in dairying. The application of multinomial logit model has revealed that the model was highly significant and fit for explanation. The variables ‘distance to veterinary institution’ or ‘animal healthcare centre’, ‘landholding size’ and ‘scientific-orientation’ were significantly associated with the probability that the respondent will be a full adopter of mobile phone in dairying. The study has recommended that appropriate measures need be adopted for effective use of mobile phones in dissemination of livestock-related information in general and dairying in particular to the farming community.

Estimation of Milk Losses due to Fasciolosis in Uttarakhand

The milk loss due to Fasciolosis in dairy animals has been assessed in four major agro-ecological regions, viz. High-hills, Mid-hills, Bhabar, and Tarai area of Uttarakhand state. The prevalence rate of Fasciolosis has been found lower in the High-hills than in Mid-hills, Bhabar, and Tarai regions. A comparison of prevalence rates of Fasciolosis across different species and breeds has revealed a higher prevalence rate of Fasciolosis in buffaloes than in crossbred and indigenous cows. In buffaloes, the adverse effect of Fasciolosis, in terms of reduction in milk yield, becomes more prominent during the latter stages of lactation. The milk loss in the state due to Fasciolosis has been observed highest for buffaloes, followed distantly by crossbred and indigenous cows. The annual milk loss in the state of Uttarakhand due to Fasciolosis has been estimated to be of 90.41 crore. The milk loss has been found highest in buffaloes and since the adult female buffaloes constitute 66 per cent of the total bovine population in the state, Fasciolosis seems to be an important parasitic problem which needs to be tackled adequately to prevent substantial milk losses.