DAIRY FARMING IN KASHMIR VALLEY: A VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

Abstract

Dairy farming is acknowledged as a significant sector in bringing about socio-economic stability in rural and semi-urban areas. There is a lack of reliable, up-to date information in the sector and in some cases conflicting information were also observed as the sector does not have specific institution  which collects, collates and analyze dairy related data that  can be used to inform entrepreneurs’, policy makers and other prospective investors.

Our aim to improve milk production can be by way of improving productivity of existing farmers by providing them scientific knowhow of modern farm management practices, superior quality of  various farm inputs like feed and feed supplement, gradual improvement of  existing indigenous breed of cows, gradual replacement with high milk yielding superior quality cows and assist them in  adopting newer technologies in breeding, housing,  health care  and above all attracting entrepreneurs by devising sector specific  schemes to ensure substantial growth in milk output. But before embarking on planning and formulation of dairy development schemes, it is necessary to consider environmental pollution due to poor sanitation of dairy farms and manure disposal management which otherwise make this sector unattractive, there is also  need for developing viable groups of small farmers at village level and district levels with the help of panchayats and nongovernmental agencies so that common resource base available may be put to optimum utilization besides, keeping a watch against their possible exploitation and encroachment. As there is no denying of the fact that every agricultural revolution owed its origin to a combination of scientific skill, political will, and farmers enthusiasm.