Dairying is often suggested as an instrument in addressing the income enhancement concerns in overall farming system. Farmers need to be empowered to decide when, where, to whom and at what price to sell. This requires drastic reduction in middlemen in the value chain. The seasonal spike in prices of perishable commodities like milk and indigenous milk products that pushes up the food inflation, without benefitting farmers, can potentially be addressed through market extension and market reforms. While production led extension is still relevant due to significantly lower milk productivity of Indian dairy animals (4.65 kg/day) as against the potential milk yield (15-20 kg/day), focusing on market led extension would propel the quality milk production and higher market returns for farmers. It is not the technologies per se that are going to make changes, but the innovativeness in applying these technologies among farmers and entrepreneurs with participation and support from different stakeholders. A special staff in animal husbandry and dairy development departments should be tasked for market extension activities. This will help to tap the unrealised productivity potential of resource poor farmers.
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