Assessment of milk production and income from traditional and improved management system of small dairy farmers in Bhutan

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare and assess the productivity of dairy cattle and corresponding household income from traditional and improved dairy management system. The study area falling under four regions were randomly selected by selecting one Dzongkhag from each region. The study also documented major challenges encountered in enhancing productivity of dairy animals. The average daily milk yield and monthly household income for traditional and improved management system under small holder dairy farming were 1.63 l and

7.37 land Nu. 4,167.50/month and Nu. 19,586/month respectively. The average daily milk yield and corresponding household income adopting improve management system was significantly higher (p<0.001) than traditional system. The study also found that about 75 percent of the respondents adopting improved dairy management system meet their household expenses from income generated from dairy farming whereas only 35 percent of the respondents practicing traditional management system meet their household expenses through the sale of milk and milk products. The major challenges encountered in small holder system were lack of technology adoption such as AI services for breeding and fodder conservation, and marketing support. The study concluded that the dairy farming has contributed immensely in improving livelihoods of rural farming communities. Further, the improved dairy farming has enabled the farmers to earn income by four times higher than traditional dairy farming. Therefore, any form of support provided to the farmers in modernizing dairy farming and adopting better technologies will have positive impact on livelihoods of the farmers.