Abstract

Dairy is considered an integral part of the rural population and contributes positively to the farm economy. The midhills of Himachal Pradesh are endowed with complex topography and varied climatic conditions. Therefore, this study would help in understanding the economics, disposal patterns, and factors affecting the production in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The respondents were selected randomly from five blocks. The study revealed that rearing local cows was not a profitable enterprise due to their low milk yield potential (2.98 kg/day). Therefore, crossbred cows rearing were found profitable because net returns from the crossbred cow were found to be highest (?8.04 per kg) and can be more remunerative by reducing the cost of feed and fodder and concentrates because feed and fodder and concentrates accounted highest share in total variable cost (70-77 per cent) among all categories. Marketable surplus and disposal patterns were calculated among the households, and it was found that the large category of farmers had the highest milk production (35.6 kg/day) due to a larger herd size and smaller family size compared to other categories. Additionally, most of the milk was sold to vendors and sweet shops (48 per cent). Hence, it is advised that rearing crossbred cattle in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh is profitable and helps farmers double their income.

Description

Indian Journal of Economics and Development
Volume 21 No. 2, June 2025, 000-000

https://doi.org/10.35716/IJED-24330

Impact Factor: 0.3 (Web of Science)
NAAS Score: 6.30 (2025)
Indexed in Scopus (SJR = 0.13)
Resurchify Impact Score: 0.23
UGC Approved (UGC Care List Group II)
Index Copernicus (ICV 2023: 105.09)