A STUDY OF MEDIUM CATEGORY MILK PRODUCERS IN GUJARAT STATE

Dairying has become an important secondary source of income for more than 15 million rural families and has assumed an important role in providing employment and income generating opportunity for the most vulnerable sections of our population. For millions of small and marginal farmers as well as landless labourers, milk production provides ready cash in hand for fulfilling their daily household requirements. According to 2012 livestock census data, Gujarat had 9984 thousand cattle and 10386 thousand buffalo population. The daily milk yield per animal in the state for Cow (Crossbreed), Cow (indigenous) and Buffalo is around 9.08 kg/day, 4.19 kg/day & 5.15 kg/day respectively. The present study was conducted to evaluate the status of Medium Milk Producers in Gujarat state. The study covered all districts of the state and information was collected by using questionnaire. After analyzing the collected data it could be seen that there is enormous opportunity to develop indigenous cattle as it is more suitable to our environment. Further, it can be concluded that the major characteristics of Medium dairy farmers were- “Mixed Farming” is being practiced by significant number of respondents, irrigation facility and educational background of SSC to Post graduation. The main weakness observed was low milk yield lack of awareness of clean milk Production and Scientific Animal Husbandry practices