Economic analysis and milk disposal pattern of dairy farming in securing livelihood of small and marginal farmers

India is livestock wealth contribution to the Indian economy is 115 million crores through the production of milk, meat, wool, and egg. The state of Tamil Nadu shares 4.56 per cent of India’s livestock population, and smallholders captured 80 per cent of the state’s milk production. This study was carried out in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu based on the highest number of small and marginal farmers enrolled in milk cooperatives societies and private milk vendors. The focus of the study was on the livelihood securities of small farmers rearing milch animals, cost and returns and disposal pattern of milk. The annual average milk production of 4.3 animals, which fetches a net income of 56,756 per annum.