Constraints Faced by Dairy Farmers in the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand, India: An Analytical Study
Surinder Singh
*
School of Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies, IGNOU, New Delhi, India.
B.S. Hansra
Amity University, Noida, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The rural economy predominantly relies on dairy as a key sector—whether to meet the food and nutritional needs of the family, supplement household income, or pursue dairy farming as a full-time occupation. Dairy farming plays a pivotal role in sustaining the economy in hilly regions like the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, where agricultural land is fragmented and infrastructure is limited. Despite its potential to provide livelihood, nutritional security, and reduce rural outmigration, dairy farmers in the region face several challenges that hinder productivity and profitability. This study aims to identify and analyze the primary constraints encountered by dairy farmers in the Kumaon region. Using a structured survey of 100 randomly selected dairy farmers across Almora and Pithoragarh districts, data were collected and categorized into three domains: management practices, feeding, and reproduction/production-related issues. The results indicate that the most pressing constraints include lack of knowledge about modern management practices (76%), feed shortages during the dry season (84%), and post-disease productivity loss in animals (98%). The study concludes that improving extension services, feed resource management, and veterinary care are essential for addressing these challenges. Targeted policy interventions and context-specific support systems are recommended to enhance the viability and sustainability of dairy farming in the hills of Uttarakhand.
Keywords: Dairy farming, constraints, Kumaon, feeding, reproduction, disease, management practices