IMPACT OF COMMERCIAL DAIRY FARMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVELIHOOD IN RURAL AND URBAN SELECTED AREAS OF DHAKA DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Dairy farming is an important and potential agricultural sector in Bangladesh. Nearly 85% populations of the country are engaged in agriculture and livestock sector. In Bangladesh, cows are the main source of milk and play a significant role in maintaining a strong agricultural economy. This study conducted to 1 Thana, out of 41 thanas for Urban and 1 Upazila out of 5 Upazilas for Rural commercial dairy farms of Dhaka district were selected purposively. A total of sixty (60) commercial dairy farms were randomly selected of which 30 from Khilgaon thana and 30 from Keranigonj Upazila. Interviewed the farm owner’s from August 2019 to October 2019 using the structured questionnaire prepared for this study purpose. It appeared from the study that Majority (60%) of the selected urban farm owner’s age ranged from 41 to 50 years. On the other hand, Majority (47%) of the selected rural farm owners’ age ranged from 31 to 40 years. Study revealed that majority farmers of both urban and rural areas were male and minority was female. Majority (45%) farmers of both rural and urban areas have Primary education followed by self-educated which was 25%, while 20% had Secondary education and remaining 10% was graduated. The average number of animals per farm was 8 in urban while it was 12 in rural areas. Both the farmers of urban and rural areas had majority (83%) Friesian cross and others Jersey cross & indigenous cattle. Both the urban and rural farmers used 90% artificial insemination, while the rest of 10% used both artificial and natural services. The estimated cost of rearing urban and rural dairy cow was Tk.165/cow/day and Tk. 120/cow/day, respectively, while the return from them was Tk.330/cow/day and Tk.235/cow/day, respectively. The cost and benefit ratio both of urban and rural dairy cow was 1: 2. Although the commercial dairy cow owners face problems, the study observed that there were possibilities and positive impact, particularly for the commercial dairy farms, in developing their livelihood. The commercial dairy farms having minimum 10 no. of Friesian cross or Jersey cross dairy cows and give minimum 12 liter milk per cow would make the farm profitable and sustainable, which would help the quality farmer’s life. Through overcoming the problems and supply all kinds of facilities, commercial dairy farming can play an important role in the improvement on livelihood of urban & rural peoples and also the development of agro-based economy.