Based on ten years of data (2001–10), consisting of 12 673 observations on fortnightly milk yield of buffaloes reared in a dairy farm located in the Northern sub-tropics (29°41′0″N, 76°59′0″E), the present study establishes the relationship between weather conditions and production performance of lactating buffaloes. The critical threshold level of maximum temperature-humidity index (THI) was estimated to be 74, which is higher than that of crossbred cows. The duration of discomfort period for buffaloes begins in mid-March and lasts up to early November. During the aggravated stress condition (THI > 82) prevailing in the region for about 5 months starting from early May, milk productivity declines by more than 1% per unit increase in maximum THI over 82. The maximum temperature and minimum humidity (viz. maximum THI) are the most critical weather parameters causing thermal stress in animals, however, the climatic conditions in the region are such that not only maximum but also minimum THI crosses the critical threshold providing little relief to the animals during the night.
The study has analysed the factors affecting adoption of improved forage technologies and its impact on milk yield and feed sufficiency in Bundelkhand region. We used propensity score matching (PSM) technique on cross-sectional data collected from 400 dairy farmers for impact evaluation and also conducted sensitivity analysis to examine the effect of uncontrolled confounders on the estimands. Our findings suggest that, education status, standard livestock unit, animal breed type, off-farm income activities, farm size and access to training, credit and market significantly influence adoption of improved forage technologies and practices. Further the adoption led to a significant increase in annual milk production (over 950 litres) and daily milk yield (1.15 to 2.04 litres) and also reduced time spent in feeding by around 2 hours during zaid season and around an hour during kharif season.
The livestock sector provides promising opportunities and is assumed to bring desired growth in farmers' income, especially in less and poor endowed regions. The present study has delineated the entire country into four zones, viz. Least Performing Zone (LPZ), Average Performing Zone (APZ), Good Performing Zone (GPZ) and Well Performing Zone (WPZ) based on district level livestock income for effective policy formulation and implementation. The drivers of livestock income were identified through multiple regression framework for regional interventions. Crossbred adoption and crossbred milk yield with elasticity of 0.09 and 0.42, respectively, are found to significantly contribute to enhancing livestock income. Thus, crossbreeding should be geared up especially in LPZ as an income enhancement strategy. The buffalo farming has emerged as an important contributor in raising farmers' income through meat production. The productivity enhancement strategy for buffaloes along with indigenous cattle will be a win-win situation as these animals are well adapted to tropical climate of the country. Further, special attention is required for strengthening marketing network through cooperatives for better procurement and prices with utmost priority in LPZ, as only 12 per cent of milk produced is sold to the cooperatives. The state governments in conjunction with all stakeholders, including research institutions and private players have to play a catalytic role in mainstreaming the livestock development, especially in the identified disadvantageous regions/zone as an entry point for the socioeconomic upliftment of the region as well as the nation as a whole.
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