Decision-making and Milk Practices among Women Dairy Farmers in Navsari District of South Gujarat

Description

Page: 489-493

Swati Sharma¹, Gautam Parmar², Ruchira Shukla³, and Alpesh Leua⁴ (ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat^1,2,3 and ASPEE College of Horticulture, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat⁴)

The dairy sector is vital to India’s rural economy, with Gujarat emerging as a leading state in milk production. This study explores the contributions of women in dairy farming in the Navsari district of South Gujarat, examining their experiences, decision-making roles, and economic influence. Conducted across eight villages, the research involved structured interviews with 160 women dairy farmers. The findings indicate that these women generally have moderate experience in the field and manage medium-sized herds. Their animal housing is mostly kuccha or semi-pukka, and they earn between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 30,000 monthly from dairy-related activities. Notably, women are actively involved in decision-making, influencing the volume of milk sold versus consumed at home, preparing dairy products, and overseeing animal care.Their contributions extend beyond daily operations to influence both household and market dynamics. The study highlights the essential role of women in driving the dairy sector’s productivity and economic benefits. However, their substantial contributions and active participation in decision-making processes necessitate targeted policies and interventions to further support and empower them. Recommendations include enhancing access to resources, increasing decision-making power, and strengthening cooperative structures. These measures are crucial for improving the livelihoods of women dairy farmers and ensuring the sustained growth and efficiency of the dairy sector in Gujarat.