Socio-Economic factors and milk quantity increase of dairy farmers in Eastern Province' Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study analyzed the socio-dynamics and factors affecting increase in milk qyantity of dairy farmers, Eastern Province Sri Lanka. Data were collected using pre-structured questionnaire and random sampling. lt was found that age of dairy household head ranges from 40 to 45 years, mean number of household size was 4.5 and mean number of employed family members were 2. Most of the farmers were primarily educated. Farming/livestock/fishing is the major primary occupation. Most of the farmers receive income of less Rs15,000.00. Differences observed among the studied divisional secretariat divisions in all parameters. The binary log$tic regression results showed that education level of household head and membership in the milk producer group significantly affect (p d" 0.05) milk quantity increase. Keeping other variables contant one unit increase in education level cause 1.071 unit increase in the proability 6f having milk quantity increase over not having milk quantity increase' Keeping oit'tut variables contant 6aving memebership in milk producer group cause 3.184 unit inctrease in the in the proability of having milk quantity increase over not having milk quantity increase. lt was corlcluded that education level of the farmers not enough to handle skillfulludairy industry. lt could be overcame by active membership in any milk producer group. Fafners still have opportunity to increase their income by dairying. Supports an{, encoklragements are in neeed ts [] maintain sustanable milk producer group which benefit whole dairy farmers' The I government policy should be towards forming registered milk producer groups at every Grama Niladharidivisions