Study of impact of cattle rearing livelihood project at Kahatagasdigiliya and Horawpothana DS divisions

Abstract

The success of Dairy farming, as a livelihood, depends on milk production and marketing. This study was carried out in Horawapoththana and Kahadagasdigiliya DS divisions with the objectives of studying the management system, to evaluate the milk marketing system and to analyze income generation of cattle rearing livelihood project beneficiaries. Totally 70 selected cattle rearing farmers were included in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, farm observation, and group discussions. Data were analyzed using MS Excel and presented in table and chart forms. The results revealed that 100% of the farmers reared cattle for milk purpose under a semi-intensive system with grazing and stall feeding.Results depicted that majority (88.6%) of the beneficiaries reared cattle as a primary source of income with more than two years of experience. More than half of the (68.6%) farmers cultivated CO3 as a fodder grass which was used to feed in the night. The variation in the milk production from cattle among beneficiaries was large due to the variation in the management practices. Majority of the cattle farmers sold their milk to middleman and Milco for a guaranteed price. To conclude, though the implementation of cattle farming livelihood project benefited the farmers by increasing their income level, there is a potential to further improve the income level by improving the management practices.