Impact assessment of milk cooperatives on dairying status of beneficiary farmers in Bihar

This study was conduded during 2000–02 in the milk sheds of Bihar State Cooperative Milk Producers& Federation (COMPFED). By using stratified random sampling technique three dairy plants BMU, TIMUL, and BD were selected. In all 150 dairy farmers out of which, 72 dairy farmers at BMU, 48 at TIMUL and 30 at BD were selected as respondent. The results indicated that beneficiary farmers were having more dairy animals than non-beneficiary farmers. Milk production was higher among beneficiary than non-beneficiary farmers. Regarding milk consumption, majority of beneficiaries were consuming milk more than one litre per day as compared to non-beneficiaries in which it was less than one litre. Majority of the beneficiaries were categorised in medium level of milk sale (3.44 to 11.52 litres/day) as against non-beneficiaries which were selling less than 3.44 litres per day. Findings Indicated that beneficiaries were moderate awareness and non-beneficiaries had less awareness about clean milk production techniques. However, both beneficiary and non-beneficary farmers had medium level of knowledge about scientific dairying practices. A comparison of selected traits of beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers revealed that there was significant (P = 0.01) difference between them on herd size, milk production, milk consumption, milk sale, awareness and knowledge. This shows the impact of COMPFED on the dairy status of the dairy farmers in Bihar. Therefore, on the basis of above findings it could be inferred that despite having sufficient knowledge about scientific dairying, may be due to lack of proper motivation and entrepreneurial ability, non-beneficiary farmers are deprived of getting tangible and intangible benefits of improved dairying.