Cost of milk production in rural and urban area of Bulandshahr district of U.P.

Dairying is a major source of livelihood for a large number of people in rural India, particularly landless, small and marginal farmers. Cost of milk production from dairying is an important aspect for producers, consumers and policy makers to provide effective linkage between the milk producer and consumers, so that the producer get remunerative price for their milk and consumer get at reasonable rate The present investigation is an attempt to study the cost of milk production in rural and urban areas of Bulandshahr district of U.P. with primary data obtained from 70 rural and 70 urban milk producer families. The study revealed that overall annual gross maintenance cost per animal was higher (Rs.22509.27) in urban milk producers families in comparison to rural milk producer families (Rs.22223.23). The maximum annual gross maintenance cost was on small farmers and minimum in landless labourers in both the categories. The share of variable and fixed cost in total annual maintenance cost was (81.66% and 18.46%) in rural milk producers families and in urban milk producers families it was (75.64% and 24.36%). The cost of feed, fodder and concentrate was main component in gross maintenance cost in both the categories. The overall cost per litre of milk was lower (Rs.11.46) in rural families than urban families (Rs.12.01). The size of holding showed negative relationship with cost of milk production. Thus, it is suggested that short term loan should be provide to rural and urban milk producers for purchasing feed and fodder for their animals.