MILK PRODUCTION PARAMETERS PERCEIVED BY DAIRY FARMERS UNDER CONTRACT FARMING IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA

To analyze milk production parameters perceived by dairy farmers, the study was carried out purposively in Western Maharashtra division. The division was divided into five strata taking each district as stratum from the division. From each stratum, two blocks were selected purposively and from each block, three villages were selected randomly. From each village, 6 dairy farmers engaged with dairy cooperatives and 6 dairy farmers engaged with private agencies were selected randomly, thus, total dairy farmers for study were 360. Data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule. The data after collection, compiled, tabulated and analyzed in view of the objectives of the study by using the appropriate statistical method. The study revealed that there was more number of milking animals in case of private as compared to cooperative dairy farmers. Due to which, total milk production per farm was more in case of private dairy farmers. But there was not much difference in total milk production per animal of both the dairy farmers. In case of feeding, on an average total dry fodder fed per animal in case of both the farmers was same. The same is true in case of health cost and labour cost per animal. But in case of grain fodder feeding, private dairy farmers were feeding more green fodder than cooperative dairy farmers and vice versa in case of concentrate feeding per animal. Thus, total feed cost per animal was less in case of private as compared to cooperative dairy farmers. Due to which total expenditure per animal also was less in case of private dairy farmers. Thus, gross return per animal, per farm and per liter was more in case of private dairy farmers as compared to cooperative dairy farmers.