Opportunities in Dairy Farming | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Importance of Dairying in Villages

• Dairying is a common practice for 90% of village farmers alongside their main agricultural activities.
• Most farmers keep a couple of cows or buffaloes along with bullocks for agricultural operations.
• Dairy enterprises are efficient and labor-intensive, involving the entire farmer's family for productive results with limited land holdings.
• Utilizing agricultural by-products and wastes, both men and women, young and old, can be employed effectively in dairy enterprises.
• Diversification is recommended to efficiently use farm labor, equipment, and buildings, reducing the risks of relying on a single income source.
• Dairy cattle efficiently convert roughage into useful products, utilizing otherwise wasted roughages with low nutritional value.
• Combining dairying with agriculture provides a substantial income, especially during drought conditions when agricultural yields are low.
• Dairying ensures a stable and regular income, given the comparatively stable prices of dairy products.
• Dairy production contributes to improved family diets, health, and reduced food costs, being a basic and balanced food for all age groups.
• Small dairy enterprises in low-income marginal farms benefit family consumption, improving the health of large families.
• Dairy industry by-products like skim milk, whey, etc., can be fed to other livestock, enhancing overall farm profitability.
• Skim milk, a valuable by-product, is used for poultry and swine feed, providing protein, minerals, and vitamins.
• Farmers selling milk fat as butter and ghee can effectively use skim milk to benefit other livestock on the farm.

Role of Dairying in Soil Fertility and Economy

• Dairying plays a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility by cultivating legumes and fodder crops.
• These crops act as soil-conserving or soil-building crops, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
• Farmyard manure, produced from dairy waste, is distributed on the land, enhancing soil nutrient levels and promoting healthy soil.
• Farmyard manure helps retain soil humus, improving water retention capacity, allowing plants to utilize water for longer periods.

Economic Contributions of Dairying

• Cattle development provides a source of high-protein diet through beef, obtained by slaughtering unwanted male cattle.
• Processed beef is exported, earning significant foreign exchange for the country.
• Leather, a by-product from slaughterhouses, is a fundamental material for the leather industry.
• Finished leather is exported, contributing nearly 50% of the total foreign exchange earnings.
• Working cattle in India powers ploughing and transport in many rural areas and cities, supporting agricultural and urban activities.
• Cattle dung is used for producing power through biogas plants, aiding in lighting and cooking.
• Dairy industry employment opportunities benefit both rural and urban populations, contributing to job creation.