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Constraints and challenges of dairy development: Field evidence of Pondicherry
Abstract
Dairy farming is an important occupation, which is supporting a large number of resource-poor families in India. Pondicherry, which is credited with a large percentage of cross-bred cattle population is no exception to this. Although a number of dairy development programmes are being implemented in Pondicherry, the annual milk production is almost stagnant at 38,000 tonnes. The number of landless families who depend upon dairy farming is increasing whereas, the overall bovine population shows a declining trend. Considering the ever increasing demand for milk and milk products due to a raise in per capita incomes, there is an enormous scope to increase milk production. In this paper, the situation of dairying and the challenges faced by the dairy farmers are discussed based on different studies conducted in Pondicherry. Acute shortage of feed and fodder coupled with high cost has been a serious constraint in dairy development to reckon with. Some policy interventions are suggested for strengthening this important occupation to safeguard the interests of the dairy farmers with special reference to landless and less land category and ultimately to escalate the milk production.
... Almost all the private dairies procure and process milk in the neighbouring states (Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh) excluding WINNER dairy (RUSI) which has a plant near Puducherry. The share of milk marketed by these private dairies is estimated to be 45 per cent which was 24 percent in 2005 (Natchimuthu et al., 2005) [13] . Rough estimates indicate that PONLAIT's market share has decreased from 48 to 39 per cent and it is likely to come down further. ...
... Almost all the private dairies procure and process milk in the neighbouring states (Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh) excluding WINNER dairy (RUSI) which has a plant near Puducherry. The share of milk marketed by these private dairies is estimated to be 45 per cent which was 24 percent in 2005 (Natchimuthu et al., 2005) [13] . Rough estimates indicate that PONLAIT's market share has decreased from 48 to 39 per cent and it is likely to come down further. ...
... In the past the landless cattle owners used to send their animals for grazing and spend very little on cash inputs such as concentrates and paddy straw. The deficit of dry fodder, concentrates and green fodder estimated based on the livestock census of 1997 showed that in Puducherry UT, there was a deficit of 7.7 % dry fodder, 70 % of green fodder and 81.9 % of concentrates (Natchimuthu et al., 2005) [13] . This situation would have been worsened now with increase in livestock population and decrease in cropped area. ...
Livestock sector in general and dairy in particular plays an important role in socioeconomic development of rural households in India. It is well established that dairy cattle rearing, in addition to several of its advantages offers livelihood and nutritional security to resource poor families in rural areas, particularly among the landless agricultural labourers, small and marginal farmers. Puducherry region with majority of its population living in urban and peri urban areas (highest density of population in the country) provides a very good market environment for almost all the livestock products. The data indicates that the demand for livestock products especially the milk and milk products, is increasing at a faster rate owing to rapid urbanization, increased per capita incomes and shift in the taste and preferences of the people. But, the implementation of several animal husbandry schemes with a plethora of subsidies is not able to escalate the production of milk leading to a yawning gap between the demand and supply of milk and milk products. Rather the production is falling and the dependency on neighbouring states for supply of milk and milk products to meet the urban consumers' demand is increasing. The farmers are losing their interest in dairying as they are not able to make a living out of dairying, which is reflecting on the decrease in milk procurement. The reasons for this pathetic situation of the dairy farmers in Puducherry are discussed in this paper.
... Context: Cattle rearing is an important occupation for resource poor and landless families in rural and peri-urban areas of Puducherry. Studies showed that majority of landless cattle owners in peri-urban regions of Puducherry (81%) are women (Natchimuthu 2002, Ramkumar et al. 2003, Natchimuthu et al. 2005. Cattle are the only asset for the landless poor and their contribution to the family income is quite substantial. ...
... It was reported that the average herd size and milk production are showing declining trends in Puducherry (Athilakshmy et al. 2011). This might be due to the decrease in the availability of feed and fodder which ultimately led to high cost of feed, coupled with low milk procurement price in Puducherry (Natchimuthu et al. 2005). ...
... Among field veterinarians, the demand for capacity building is related to knowledge and competencies in new or frontier areas. Some of the additional competencies identified in this study were also reported in several earlier reports, i.e. (i) understanding the transition in livestock production systems, -a shift in focus from grazing to stall feeding, from social to economic issues, and from backyard to commercial/contract farming (Rao, 2003;Natchimuthu et al., 2005; SAPPLPP, 2012) (ii) increasing demand for livestock products, adding value, trade in livestock products, SPS standards (Delgado et al., 1999;Rao et al., 2008;, (iii) feed and fodder scarcity, crop-residue feeding and associated greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, increasing costs of inputs and labor, emerging diseases and lack of expertise in very specialized clinical subjects (Ahuja et al., 2000;Steinfeld et al., 2006;Rao et al., 2008;Chacko et al., 2010;Hegde, 2010;, and (iv) the changing role of veterinarians and the information needs of livestock farmers (Matthewman and Ashley, 1996;Rao, 2003;Rao et al., 2008;Chander et al., 2010). ...
... understanding the transition in livestock production systems -a shift in focus from grazing to stall feeding, from social to economic issues, and from backyard to commercial/ contract farming (21,22,23) increasing demand for livestock products, adding value, trade in livestock products, SPS standards (3,24,25) feed and fodder scarcity, crop-residue feeding and associated greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, increasing costs of inputs and labour, emerging diseases and lack of expertise in very specialised clinical subjects (8,26,27) the changing role of veterinarians and the information needs of livestock farmers (6,7,22,25). ...
he objectives of this study were two-fold - to assess the technical competencies of veterinarians and their application, and to investigate veterinarians' activities and appropriate ways for them to acquire and enhance competencies. The studywas undertaken in three South Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. The survey data, collected in 2015-2016 from nine districts in the three states, came from in-depth questionnaires completed by 270 veterinary assistant surgeons (VASs). The key survey questions were related to: specific technical competencies and their application, appropriate ways to acquirethem, additional competencies needed and recommended activities to enhancethem. Each respondent's rating was obtained on a) how important are thesecompetencies and b) what is their current level of knowledge and/or skills toperform them? The findings revealed that the current level of knowledge and/orskills was inadequate in production, para-clinical and clinical areas in the day-todaywork of VASs. The findings suggested that pre-service, in-service and basic induction training, and attending national and international seminars, workshopsand Webinars, are appropriate ways to acquire competencies. Additional skillsperceived as necessary by respondents include: time and stress managementskills, motivational techniques, digital communication technologies, and writing and presentation skills. Specific policy interventions suggested and discussed include: adequate hands-on pre-service instruction in veterinary colleges and assessment of competencies before certification, introducing a veterinary licensing examination, reinforcing competencies through induction training,in-service or continuing veterinary education programmes, and improving theinstitutional mechanisms to assess competencies at regular intervals.
... According to a study undertaken in 1999, women in the family provide more than 90% of labour in livestock rearing, dairying and functions related to care of animals. Natchimuthu et al (2005) note that the number of landless families who depend upon dairy farming is increasing; and due to the ever increasing demand for milk and milk products due to a raise in per capita incomes, there is an enormous scope to increase milk production. ...
... Among faculty and field veterinarians, the demand for capacity building is related to knowledge and skills in new or frontier areas and not to routine veterinary services, which are currently managed adequately by both VUs and AHDs. Some of the CVE needs identified by VUs and AHDs (Table VI) were also identified in several earlier reports, i.e. i) understanding the transition in livestock production systems, namely, a shift in focus from grazing to stall feeding, from social to economic issues, and from backyard to commercial/contract farming (13,23,24), ii) increasing demand for livestock products, adding value, trade in livestock products, SPS standards (9,25), iii) feed and fodder scarcity, crop-residue feeding and associated greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, ...
In pursuit of effective veterinary service delivery, the objectives of this study were threefold: i) reduce the shortage of technical personnel in veterinary universities (VUs) and animal husbandry departments (AHDs), ii) identify collaborative areas between VUs and AHDs, and iii) build the capacity of the veterinary and animal husbandry sector. Primary data were collected from all the 16 veterinary colleges and AHDs in five south Indian states on: i) student intake and the out-turn of veterinary graduates, technical personnel existing and required at various levels, specific areas of collaboration where VUs and AHDs need each other and can extend support to each other, and iv) areas in which university faculty and field veterinarians would benefit from further training. Two focus group discussions were held with top administrators of VUs and AHDs to collect qualitative data. The results revealed that there are not enough veterinary graduates to meet the needs of the system and that there is a shortage of faculty, field veterinarians and para-veterinarians. Both focus groups identified areas for collaboration and capacity building to improve veterinary service delivery. The results conclusively demonstrated that India's veterinary service delivery is constrained, not due to a lack of organisations or programmes, but due to the inability of the organisations to collaborate with each other. To improve the effectiveness of veterinary service delivery it will be necessary to: admit more graduate students, supportthe establishment of new colleges; recruit faculty, field veterinarians and para-veterinarians; remandate the Directorates of Extension at VUs to develop linkages with AHDs; allocate funds ('special central grants') for infrastructure development to all AHDs and veterinary colleges; establish one model veterinary college that follows international standards on veterinary education and create four regional academic staff training colleges exclusively for the purpose of developing the capacity of the veterinary and animal husbandry sector. Action plans to implement these recommendations are also suggested.
The aim of the paper is to better understand how various social and policy issues constrain the adoption of innovations among dairy farmers and presents the observations of the relationship between the adoption of green fodder feeding to dairy cattle and marketing of milk in Puducherry. Though there are some isolated successes of promoting fodder entrepreneurs by the development departments in Puducherry, these approaches could not be sustained due to lack of complementary or supportive institutional arrangements. Adoption of an innovation (fodder transaction) is more constrained by social, economic and policy issues, which include transportation of fodder, relations between the fodder growers, buyers, secretary, Milk Cooperative Society, leaders of Women Self Help Groups, government policy on milk pricing, urbanization and, industrialization, rather than technological issues. The insights offered in this paper could be useful in the design of policies to address complex economic and social issues associated with fodder usage by the dairy farmers in general and landless dairy farmers in particular.
The paper examines the determinants of earnings of rural women under SHG scheme in the Pondicherry, It also surveys the benefits and problems experienced by them under the scheme. Interview schedules were used for data collection from a randomly selected sample of 134 SHG members during March 2002. The objectives of the study were pursued using simple averages, ratios, percentages, correlation, regression and Garret ranking technique. The findings showed majority of the respondents to be engaged in non-farm activities, which were largely traditional and less remunerative in nature. The regression results revealed that nature of occupation, higher asset possession, and larger credit amount significantly reduced the respondents' monthly earnings, while higher income of husband significantly raised it. The main benefits of SHGs were increased participation in social service and organised action, having received new skills/training and better access to credit facilities. Whereas, the major problems encountered by them in conducting their production activities were loans not received on time, difficulty in getting raw materials, and labour and marketing problems. It is recommended that the respondents should be encouraged to venture into more diversified and remunerative activities which would raise their earnings and thus their savings too. They should also be strictly made to utilise the SHG credits for productive purposes alone. Further, training relating to the activity chosen by them should be imparted. Above all, effective implementation of the scheme is recommended for poverty alleviation and empowerment of the rural poor women.
Rearing one or two cows for milk is an important source of livelihood for landless women in Pondicherry in south Indin.1 Possession of dairy animals means more than increased income for them: it means financial security, status, self-confidence and an opportunity to liave some control over their lives. Preferring this alternative to exhnusting agricultural labour, the women are self-employed, with flexible work ing hours and maintain better health as a result. Recognition of the importance of this resource for rural women should be the first step towards improving service delivery to poor landless women rearing dairy cattle.