Socio-economic Characterisation and Dairy Production System Maintained by Women Milk Producer Cooperative Societies in Indian Sundarban Region

The present study was undertaken to characterise socio economic pattern of WMPCS members and analyse small holder dairy production system including its constraints in the Indian Sundarban. A total of 160 respondents from six development blocks were interviewed with a pre tested questionnaire. 74.4 per cent of the farmers had age between 20–45 yr and 88 per cent of them were married, which reflects young and energetic attitude of the farmers. 46.9 per cent of the farmers had only primary level of education.63.5 per cent of the WMPCS members belonged to low income group (Rs 2500/--5000/-), evidently, net income from sale of milk by WMPCS members was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of informal dairy farmers. Herd size per household varied between 1.46 to 1.87 total livestock units (TLU); non-descript Indian zebu was the pre-dominant breed. 37.6 per cent respondents used artificial technique for breeding purpose. FEAST computer program was used to analyse feed resources of the area and it was found that the small holder dairy production system entirely depend upon grazing with little supplementation of concentrates. In the lean months of winters, residues of leguminous crops as well as mangrove leaves were used as fodders. Milk production of different cattle breeds varied significantly (P<0.01) and milk yield from cross-bred Jersey was maximum (1652 l/lactation). Principal constraint was lack of green fodder production for dairy farming.