Drought-like conditions may lead to higher milk production in state: study

The study is based on the premises like “as crops fail,farmers divert land,water and other resources to produce more feed and fodder to preserve their livelihoods and income,” and “cattle respond strongly,and immediately,to better feeding by readily yielding more milk.”

The study further suggests that Gujarat,which has got an excellent dairy network,will be the beneficiary of these conditions. The institute expects milk production to sustain at 2008 levels or even increase this year in Gujarat and some other states as dairy economy emerges as an adaptive strategy for the farmers during drought-like situation.

Agreeing with the report findings,Jayant Mehta,General Manager (Planning and Marketing) Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF),said,“It is true. Conventionally when there is drought,milk is the only cash crop for farmers. They depend on dairy as their only source of livelihood in absence of any other crop,” said Mehta.

The study cites examples of earlier drought like conditions to prove its point.

For instance,the study says that in 2002,the value of paddy and oilseeds output fell over 20 percent and of wheat,nearly 10 percent; but the value of livestock and milk production grew nearly 3 per cent on an all-India basis. India’s value of output from agriculture and allied sectors fell only 6.3 percent in 2002-03.

In states like Andhra Pradesh,the value of milk production—which is already approaching the value of crop production– increased by 12 percent; and in Gujarat,by 3.6 percent.

“This clearly indicates that dairying has emerged as the farmer’s adaptive strategy during droughts,” said Tushaar Shah,Director,IWMI India.

He said,“The states that want to take the benefit of dairying must have a strong network of dairy cooperatives. The dairying works as a drought-buffer only where there exists a strong network of dairy cooperatives.”

Farmers in Gujarat have sown more fodder this time as rains in both the spells were delayed. The fodder will help the dairy sector in the state to perform well.

“Most of the farmers in all the talukas of Kheda have sown fodder,” said Babuhai Patel,a farmer in Kheda district. “This will ensure the availability of the fodder throughout the year,” he said.