Review Article
Selvaraj N, Balajikumar P
Abstract
Today, if India has emerged as the largest producer of milk in the world, it is due to the untiring efforts of millions of rural milk producers across the country. India is the world?s single largest milk country accenting for around 15 per cent of the world milk production. It ranks first in Buffalo milk production (66 per cent of the world?s milk production). Milk and milk products are a major source of cheap and nutritious food to millions of people in India and the only acceptable source of animal protein for a large vegetarian segment of Indian population. Dairying provides livelihood to millions of small and marginal farmers. It also provides the main source of income next to agriculture. This study will be helpful to know about the socio-economic conditions of the members, especially in the areas of income, employment, and profit through dairy co-operatives. The Government should also take necessary steps to reserve adequate acreage of suitable land for raising fodder, in order to arrest the rise in prices. It is suggested that banks should give more loans and subsidies to the people who are involving in dairy activities especially for the purchase of milch animals.