ASSESSMENT OF STATUS AND PROFITABILITY OF SMALLHOLDER VILLAGE DAIRY SYSTEM

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the status and profitability of the smallholder village dairy system. Seven dairy farms were surveyed from two areas of Bangladesh (Rangamati and Khagrachari). The studied dairy herd consists of 07 to 15 cows. Both indigenous and crossbred cows reared in studying farms. The indigenous cows produce milk 1 to 2.5 liters per day and crossbred cows produce 7 to 10 liters per day. The net annual income for per cow was ranging from taka 3200 to taka 19000. The variety of net annual income of cows mainly due to breed variation, management practices and other operational cost. The study reveals out that crossbred with proper management and lower operational cost leads to increased profitability of the farm. In addition, smallholder village dairy farming system farmers are faced with some constraints.