171 FINDINGS and SUGGESTIONS (i) Dairy farming in the study area is practiced mostly by a particular community, viz., Nepali community. Not a single dairy entrepreneur from this community is found new entrant in this occupation. They are in this activity from generations. Now a day, other communities have also started dairy farming as a source of livelihood. The growing interest of the indigenous people in dairy farming is evidenced by the fact that about 10 p.c. of the sample dairy entrepreneurs belong to the Assamese community. (ii) The findings implicate that the dairy entrepreneurs in the state are isolated lot. They have hardly any link with any sector in the state dealing with the development of dairy. So, for the development of dairy enterprises more contacts, rapport visits, social participation and extension contacts are to be established with the dairy entrepreneurs. This may be done Govt. Departments, NGOs, financial institutions and social/ charity workers. This will help creating an environment conducive for development of dairy enterprises. (iii) The environment in which the dairy entrepreneurs have taken up their livelihood in milk related activities is of crucial importance. As most of the dairy entrepreneurs are earning a good annual family income, it cannot be
172 directly said that raising their income levels would or might improve their conditions. In fact the crucial factors that should be further be worked out is that whether the level of production they have is optimum or not. Instead of putting efforts for more productions, it is felt wise to direct the inputs towards optimum production. That would give a proper signal to the other upcoming dairy entrepreneurs in general and the entire sphere of dairy development in particular. (iv) (v) The general notion that dairy farming is a profession to be opted only by illiterate people, holds no validity. The survey reveals that only 5 percent of the entrepreneurs are illiterate whereas 9 percent are graduates. Despite a satisfactory educational level, the technology adoption in dairy farming is very poor. The age-old system of milk production is being followed by the entrepreneurs. The reasons found are that the people are apathetic towards farther improvement, lack of exposure and extension service and poor infrastructure including irregular supply of electricity. (vi) Training to entrepreneurs is essential for raising the functional knowledge base. At the initial stage efforts should be made to provide short term, need based and local level training to the dairy entrepreneurs.
173 (vii) The dairy development sector in the state should be well organised with a positive attitude of the entrepreneurs and planners to improve it. (viii) Entrepreneurship training in dairy sector would definitely help in increasing the knowledge of dairy entrepreneurs. So, at the initial stage efforts are to be made for short, need based and local level training of the dairy entrepreneurs. (ix) Introduction of Tab to land extension services is necessary to provide well devised training to the entrepreneurs. The special advantage of this is that extension contacts get increased, the various network get established, and when these will start working, things will be looking brighter and at a time the attitude will turn favourable. (x) The entrepreneurs of Jagiroad area are found superior to the entrepreneurs of Khanapara and Chandrapur area in respect of cattle management and animal health and sanitation. This is why the number of visitors to the dairy enterprises is higher in Jagiraod area. This has a positive influence on the social status of entrepreneurs of Jagiroad area. This fact must be made known to the farmers of other areas also. Animal health and sanitation and up-
174 keeping of cows are important factors to attract visitors from outside. (xi) It is observed that entrepreneurship zeal is slowly growing among the educated young people and it is the need of time that an all out effort is be made to organise the dairy enterprises for which, things must start from the officials of the Dairy Department. (xii) Local cows are non-remunerative and commercially not viable. Hence, rearing of HYV cows should be encouraged in all parts of the state. (xiii) Since, HYV cows are very much sensitive to diseases, proper health is very essential. For this easy access to veterinary hospital is the basic requirement. (xiv) Training for entrepreneurs and technical personnel should be need based; demand driven and objective. Easy access to training should be made available for the dairy entrepreneurs and the VASs/Extension officers as well (xv) Each entrepreneur should be given basic knowledge on animal health, so that each of them can take proper care of animals. Young prospective entrepreneurs should be selected from villages for training in Cattle Management. Such training may be imparted through village camp in areas like Jagiroad to give proper exposure on dairy farming.
175 (xvi) On completion of such training, interested young entrepreneurs should be provided with bank loan to start dairy farming. (xvii) A few of young entrepreneurs should be selected for exposure training in improved cattle cum dairy management programme in places like Ananda, Karnal etc. (xviii) Such exposure-training programme will infuse positive attitude among dairy entrepreneurs towards improved dairy farming which is very important for the industry s growth. It works as a motivating factor. (xix) NGOs, training institutes and organised and regulated mass media exposure can help to this effect to a great extent. And if efforts made by these Organisations then not to speak of the conditions of the dairy farmers alone, the whole society will prosper and there will be major boost in the economy of the state as well. (xx) An organised and regulated dairy market seems to be urgent need of the hour in the state. A complete milk and milk related environment, it looks, will be a proper solution to lot of constraints and a well organised cooperative can be the proper answer to it.
176 (xxi) Evidence of lack of extension contact vividly proves that dairy development in the state has not been progressing in a planned manner and as such, may not be in the right direction. So, the extension machinery relating to dairy development in the state should be strengthened and made transparent to the general entrepreneurs so that they can derive maximum benefit from such a network. (xxii) If dairying as a livelihood becomes remunerative and enterprising, there is no point that the entrepreneurs would not adopt improved dairy farming practice. (xxiii) A positive attitude of dairy entrepreneurs towards improved dairy farming is very important for the industry s growth. It works as a motivating factor. So, it is required that an all out effort is made to motivate the prospective entrepreneurs. In this regard things must start from the officials of the Dairy Deptt, NGOs, and training institutes. And if combined effort is made by all these institutions / organisations, then not to speak of the conditions of the dairy entrepreneurs alone, the whole society will prosper and there will
177 be major boost in the economy of the state as well. (xxiv) The existing co-operatives in the dairy sector should be geared up/revitalized and new ones in the line of AMUL should be started and promoted to cover the entire state. (xxv) In order to improve the fodder production scenario and to meet its requirements, following steps may be made undertaken 1. Proper utilization of traditional Government grazing lands. 2. Reduction in the number of indigenous cattle and replacement of the same by fewer number of genetically superior animals. 3. Ensuring proper utilisation of agricultural and industrial by-products as livestock feed. 4. Implementing in true spirit, well planned fodder production schemes. 5. Development of storage facilities for green fodder and hay etc. (xxvi) There are a few feed mills under State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department and most of these are presently defunct due to lack of proper
178 m a n a g e m e n t. T h e r e f o r e, t h e r e i s t h e n e c e s s i t y t o m a k e t h e s e f u n c t i o n a l b e s i d e s e s t a b l i s h i n g s o m e m o r e f e e d m i l l s t o m e e t t h e d e m a n d. ( x x v i i ) T h e i n d i g e n o u s c a t t l e a r e s m a l l b u t h a r d y, a n d a r e k n o w n f o r t h e i r a d a p t a b i l i t y t o t h e l o c a l h o t a n d h u m i d c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s, l e s s p r o n e t o t h e p a r a s i t i c a n d m i c r o b i a l i n f e c t i o n s a n d a r e h e a t t o l e r a n t. A l t h o u g h t h e i r p r o d u c t i v i t y i s l e s s a s c o m p a r e d t o t h e g e n e t i c a l l y s u p e r i o r i m p r o v e d e x o t i c g e r m p l a s m, t h e s e q u a l i t i e s a d d v a l u e t o t h e s e i n d i g e n o u s a n i m a l s. T h e r e f o r e, s t r a t e g y t o d e v e l o p d a i r y t h r o u g h g e n e t i c a l l y i m p r o v e d c o w s s h o u l d g o h a n d i n h a n d w i t h p a r a l l e l e f f o r t s t o c o n s e r v e a n d i m p r o v e t h e i n d i g e n o u s g e r m p l a s m t h r o u g h p l a n n e d b r e e d i n g a n d s e l e c t i o n. ( x x v i i i ) D i s p e n s a r i e s, h o s p i t a l s a n d A. I. c e n t r e s s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d w i t h e s s e n t i a l i n f r a s t r u c t u r e s t o e n s u r e r e g u l a r s u p p l y o f s e m e n a n d i n s t r u m e n t s n e c e s s a r y f o r A. I., a n d t o p r o v i d e o t h e r s e r v i c e s t o t h e f a r m e r s. ( x x i x ) S o m e c c o n s t r a i n t s a r e h a v i n g p o s i t i v e a n d s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t o n t h e e n t r e p r e n e u r s, w h i c h i s a q u i t e h e a l t h y s i g n, a n d i n d i c a t i v e o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h o s e w h o h a v e t a k e n u p d a i r y i n g a s p r o f e s s i o n h a v e o n l y f a c e d t h e c o n s t r a i n t s t o a g r e a t e r e x t e n t. W h e r e a s i n s o m e a r e a s
179 of psychological importance, they showed negative relationship with constraint. So, it can be deduced that perception of constraints was linked with higher milk production and the professional dairy entrepreneurs are interested in sorting them out. So, this healthy and progressive feelings of the dairy entrepreneurs have to be kept alive and used effectively for higher milk production in future. xxx) The entreprenuers of Jagiroad area are found superior to the entreprenuers of Khanapara and Chandrapur area inrespect of cattle management and animal health and sanitation. This is why the number of visitors to the dairy enterprises is higher in Jagiraod area. This has a positive influence on the social status of entreprenuers of Jagiroad area. This fact must be made known to the farmers of other areas also. Animal health and santation and up-keeping of cows are important factors to attract visitors from outside. (xxxi) Perception of medium level of constraints by majority of the dairy farmers goes to imply that there is ample scope of lot of improvement in this sector and people look to be helpful about it. So, what is urgently needed today is to make a steady, safe and secured advancement
180 in augmenting milk production and getting the many folded dividends in return in all possible spheres. So, co-operative, frequent exposures to different mass media and group and individual contact, social participation in any form can help a lot. (xxxii) Constraints having positive and significant effect on economic traits quite healthy sign and indicative of the fact that those who have taken up dairying as profession have only faced the constraints to a greater extent. Where as in some areas of psychological importance, they showed negative significant relationship with constraint. So, it can be deduced that perception of constraints was linked with higher milk production and the dairy farmers were interestedin sorting them out. So, healthy and progressive feelings the dairy farmers have to be kept alive and used effectively for higher milk production in future. (xxxiii) It is fact that dairy farming is an important economic activity today and the necessity of constant abreasting with the development of new technologies have been highlighted by various research findings. Planners, policy makers and the administrators including the
181 higher up managers have not yet given any serious thought over the issue till date. It is in spite of the national policy guidelines in the late eighties under the auspices of Technology Mission that laid maximum emphasis on the grading up of the genetic potential of the Sub-Himalayan indigenous cattle stock, to extract the maximum benefit in terms of augmenting milk production. Although records in history are not likely to fetch anything today, the facts remains that even after a decade or more the situation remains the same. It is high time that a district breeding policy is adopted, a competent network of personnel is brought under active service and people are made aware of the benefits of prosperous dairy environment. In addition to the activities of the Govt. Departments, NGOs, youth Bodies, and National Level Voluntary Organisation also can play a very crucial role here. (xxxiv) Whether it was a finding of the individual response or the group response of the farmers, one can very easily get an impression from all the constraints identified by them as important that there is a total anarchy prevailing in the dairy sector in the state at present. Otherwise the constraints like low coverage
182 o f d a i r y i n g b y b o t h e l e c t r o n i c a n d p r i n t m e d i a, p o o r q u a l i t y o f s e m e n, a b s e n c e o f g r a s s r o o t l e v e l e x t e n s i o n w o r k e r s, l a c k o f t r a n s p o r t f a c i l i t i e s f o r m a r k e t i n g m i l k a n d m i l k p r o d u c t s a n d b u y i n g f e e d, m e d i c i n e e t c., a n d l a c k o f a g r i c u l t u r a l b y - p r o d u c t s t o b e u s e d a s a n i m a l f e e d w o u l d h a v e n e v e r a p p e a r e d. M o r e o v e r, w h a t o n e c a n f e e l a s v e r y d a n g e r o u s i s t h a t o f m i s g u i d a n c e b y q u a c k s. I t i s d e t r i m e n t a l t o t h e w h o l e f a r m i n g c o m m u n i t y o n t h e h a n d a n d i n d i c a t i v e o f l a c k o f a w a r e n e s s a m o n g t h e f a r m e r s a b o u t g r a s s r o o t l e v e l r e a l i t y o n t h e o t h e r. M i s g u i d a n c e b y q u a c k s i s a d a n g e r o u s s i t u a t i o n a n d m a y l e a d t h e d a i r y e n v i r o n m e n t i n t h e s t a t e f r o m b a d t o w o r s e.