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How safe is the Dairy Business? |
Dairy farming is a safe
business for the following reasons:
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It is eco-friendly and does not cause
environmental pollution as compared to other
industries.
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Requirement of skilled labour is relatively
less.
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Dairy product market is active round the year.
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Minimum investment on inventory. (No need to
to stock raw materials in huge quantities.)
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Entire establishment can be shifted to a new
location (if need arises e.g. Fire, Floods etc.)
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One can insure animals.
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Less energy requirement. Biogas plant fed
with cow dung can supply maximum energy to meet
farms day to day requirement. Decomposed slurry
of such plant can also be effectively used as
organic manure.
Limitations and Constraints:
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Breeding of animals and getting expected milk
yield is a biological phenomenon, which depends
upon various factors.
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Dairy farming besides good planning requires
hardworking, reliable and alert manager. In
India, usually persons from the family take the
responsibility.
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Inadequate management of feeding ,heard health
and lack of quality control in various stage of
production can cause major loss affecting the
profitability of the entire venture.
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Starting the Farm - How to begin... |
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One needs to decide first on the aims and
objective of the farm. Every year there should
be a progressive aim for breeding ( including
number of animals to be maintained) and
production.
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You can visit dairy farms that run on
commercial basis and have a discussion with
experienced farm owners. You need not have to
rely much on others experience, analyze every
event logically and if needed consult with local
Veterinarians for more information.
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If you plan to manage the farm on your own,
look for opportunities to work for an existing
farm for a minimum period of six months.
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Develop interest and study feed and fodder's
market in your region, its difficulties in
relation to seasons.
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Manage a good team of labourers. You need to
choose hardworking reliable persons preferably
with some experience. You can also train them
for specific jobs.
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Visit the cattle market occasionally. Observe
animals on sale and talk with persons engaged
with purchasing of animals.
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Read magazines on Dairy Industry and keep
yourself informed.
Getting some initial professional training...
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Opportunities for training are available with
most of the:
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Agricultural/Veterinary Universities of
various states
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Krishi Vigyan Kendras
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State Department of Animal Husbandry
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You can also choose to inquire with National
level organization like: National Dairy Research
Institute (NDRI) Karnal (Haryana) - For training
on rearing of dairy animals and manufacture of
milk products.
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Alternately, you can also look for training
facilities of non-governmental organizations
that are active in farming sectors.
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Selecting the animal to farm with - Cows v/s.
Buffaloes |
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Cows |
Buffaloes |
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Good quality cows are available in the
market and it cost around Rs.1200 to
Rs.1500 per liter of milk production per
day. (e.g. Cost of a cow producing 10
liter of Milk per day will be between
Rs.12,000 to Rs.15,000).
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If proper care is given, cows breed
regularly giving one calf every 13-14
month interval.
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They are more docile and can be handled
easily. Good milk yielding cross breeds
(Holstein and Jersey crosses) has well
adapted to Indian climate.
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The fat percentage of cow's milk varies
from 3-5.5% and is lower then Buffaloes.
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In India, we have good buffalo breeds
like Murrah and Mehsana, which are
suitable for commercial dairy farm.
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Buffalo milk has more demand for making
butter and butter oil (Ghee), as fat
percentage in milk is higher then cow.
Buffalo milk is also preferred for making
tea, a welcoming drink in common Indian
household.
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Buffaloes can be maintained on more
fibrous crop residues, hence scope for
reducing feed cost.
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Buffaloes largely mature late and give
birth to calves at 16 to 18 months
interval. Male calves fetch little value.
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Buffaloes need cooling facility e.g.
Wallowing tank or showers / foggers with
fan.
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A suggestion to help you in deciding the animal to
farm with:
Middle class health-conscious Indian families
prefer low fat milk for consumption as liquid
milk. We suggest you to go for a commercial farm
of mixed type. (Cross breed, cows and buffaloes
kept in separate rows under one shed). Conduct a
through study of the immediate market where you
are planning to market your milk You can mix milk
from both type of animals and sold as per need of
the market. Hotels and some general customers (can
be around 30%) prefer pure buffalo milk.
Hospitals, sanitariums prefer cow's milk.
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What are the various breeds? What is the
economic life of animals? |
Popular buffalo milch breeds are Murrah, Surti,
Mehasani, Jaffrabadi, and Nali - Ravi and
Badhawari.
The indigenous milch breeds of cattle are Gir,
Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Tharparkar.
The exotic breeds of cattle are Holstein
Friesian, Jersey and Brown Swiss.
Economic life of buffaloes is 5-6 lactation and
that of Crossbreed cows is 6-7 lactation.
The minimum economic size to go with?
Under Indian condition a commercial dairy farm
should consist of minimum 20 animals (10 cows, 10
buffaloes) this strength can easily go up to 100
animals in proportion of 50:50 or 40:60. After
this however, you need to review your strength and
market potential before you chose to go for
expansion.
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A glance at the Infrastructure and Manpower
requirements |
The space required per animal should be 40 sq.ft
in shed and 80sq.ft open space. Besides, you will
also need:
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One room 10'' x 10'' for keeping implements.
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One room 10''x 12'' for milk storage
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Office cum living room of suitable size.
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Water tank capable of storing minimum 2000
liters
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Bore well with capacity to fill water tank in
1 hr
Total land requirement for a unit of 20 animals
can be sited as 3000 sq.ft. There should be space
for expansion. Ideal space requirement for 100
animals is 13,000 to 15,000 sq.ft (120" x 125'').
For 20 animals initially, you can make contractual
arrangements for getting an assured supply of 300
kgs. of Lucerne and 400 kgs. of maize fodder per
day. However, in long run, as the strength of you
farm will go up to 100 animals, It is advisable
that you should go for a lease land of 15 to 20
acres with irrigation facility to cultivate green
fodder for your animals. (One acre of green fodder
cultivation for every five animals is required as
a thumb rule.) The economics of whole dairy animal
management depends upon its economic feeding. By
making fodder's like Lucerne or Berseem available
for your animals you can reduced cost on feeding
concentrate feed.
The strength of labourers in your farm can vary
with number of animals usually the thumb rule is
one labour for every 10 animals on milk or 20 dry
animals or 20 young stock.
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Sample Project Report - Animal Dairy Unit |
Click here to download a sample Project
Report on Animal Dairy units.
Do you want to add
any information to above article?
Contact us at
vethelp@vethelplineindia.com
For the benefit of entrepreneurs, the VET Helpline
team is currently working for preparing a
comprehensive list of:
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Cattle Markets in India
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Statewise Major Service providers for dairy
farmers (including farmer's organizations, if
any).
We invite learned visitors of our website to
contribute information in this regard.
Due credit will be given to the source. |
