A REPORT ON ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL SCALE DAIRY FARMING ON FAMILY LEVEL AT SOME SELECTED AREAS OF CHITTAGONG DISTRICT

Abstract

Dairy products are the substantial contributor to food and protein supply of Bangladesh. Many indigenous small farmers are rearing dairy cattle in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is considered one of the most suitable countries in the world for dairy farming. Development of dairy has generated considerable employment through the production and marketing of dairy and dairy related products. This paper aims to identify whether small and medium dairy farming can be considered as an alternative income generating activity for the development of rural and urban poor peoples of Bangladesh. In study found that the dairy income in category1(1-30%) is 28.88% in category2 (31-60%)is 31.33% & category3 is 40% of their net income. Milk production ranged between 20-90 litres per day with most respondents producing between 30-60 litres per day. The average milk production per day per respondent was 44.35 litres per day/household. However the average milk production per cow per day of 11±2.5. Income or profit from the dairy enterprise was mainly used on the following activities, furnishing houses 16.7%, house construction/rehabilitation (29%), investing in other income generating activities (20.9%), Education and on other things (such food, health services etc) 23.4%.