The study comprised of computation of cost of milk production, cost of groundwater and water use efficiency (WUE) in milk production of different species of milch animals under different levels of groundwater regimes (safe, semi-critical, critical and overexploitation). The study was carried out in the Chamarajanagar and Mysore districts of Karnataka state which happen to represent both different groundwater regime and progressive dairy region. The study indicated noticeable variations in unit cost of groundwater extraction and it was highest in overexploited area (Rs 3.54/m3) followed by critical (Rs 1.91/m3), semi-critical (Rs 1.07/m3) and safe (Rs 0.80/m3) areas. Daily water depleted by the animals in the process of milk production was highest by crossbred cows (7.79 to 13.71 m3/day/animal) followed by buffaloes (4.89 to 12.07 m3/day/animal) and local cows (3.61 to 5.96 m3/day/animal). The study also revealed that economic efficiency of water use (net income per unit of water use) in milk production from crossbreds was positive and it was in the range of Rs 2.18 to 4.29/m3 and negative economic efficiency of water use was recorded in milk production from local cows (Rs 1.48 to 6.45/m3) and buffaloes (Rs 0.63 to 6.37/m3). Due to higher milk yield in crossbreds the higher WUE of (0.84 to 1.37l/m3) followed by local cows (0.51 to 0.81 l/m3) and buffaloes (0.38 to 0.87 l/m3). Depletion of direct water in the process of milk production was marginal in comparison with the water depleted to produce the feed and fodder of dairy animal and hence emphasis should be given to increase the WUE in production of feed and fodder.
Groundwater exploitation, water use efficiency, milk production
